We’ve been working with one of our Kenyan partners to create opportunities for women in northern Kenya to utilize their traditional skills to earn income. By purchasing LOVE bracelets, “you are investing directly in helping to secure a sustainable future for significant areas of northern Kenya—for people, for wildlife and for the environment.”
Since 2018, we’ve worked with more than 1,000 women artisans here. These women represent hard work, overflowing LOVE, and incredible talent. Because we teamed up with BeadWORKS, we’ve been able to create and share more than XYZ LOVE bracelets with the world.
Today we spotlight some of these extraordinary artisans’ stories. Are you ready to meet your bracelet maker?
Meet Nantiyon Letaapo, 28 years old
Star Beader from Sera Community Conservancy
I joined the beading co-op in 2016 and have been able to learn and improve my beading skills to a level of being promoted to be a star beader. I started beading the Love Is Project bracelets in 2019 and the income earned from the project has helped me a lot. I can clothe my 4 children, provide for my family, take my kids to school and table savings with the women’s group (Sacco). I would like to take a moment to say a big thank you for giving me a chance to be part of this project and linking us to the international market. It means so much to us as beaders.
Meet Tayiana Karinteen, 52 years old
Star Beader from Il Ngwesi Community Conservancy
I have been beading for the last 5 years and it has been a really great experience for me. I have gained a lot of knowledge and skills through the trainings provided by BeadWORKS. I started doing the Love Is Project bracelets 2 years ago and I can ascertain that the income I have earned has really impacted my life positively. I have been able to buy seedlings and fertilizers for my farm. I have been able to pay for my kids’ schools fees and family provision. I would like to thank Chrissie Lam for her orders and urge her to give us more orders. We are grateful for her support.
Meet Noolparle Lerantilei, 52 years old
Star Beader from Naibunga Community Conservancy
I joined te beading co-op 7 years ago. Being raised in the manyatta beading is an important aspect of our Maasai culture. I gained the beading skills from my mother and aunties back then but since I joined, I have been able to learn professional skills of beading and being creative in coming up with new requested samples. I started beading the Love Is Project bracelets 1.5 years ago. This is a special bracelet; the word LOVE is a virtue that helps us live together in harmony and peace therefore makes this project a unique one. I am so happy working on Love Is Project that I have been able to purchase a few goats to add to my livestock and I have made some savings for myself in my savings and credit cooperative. We are grateful for the 2021 January order because it has helped with the school’s fees for our kids as they were going back to school after a long holiday due to COVID-19 pandemic.
XOXO,
Chrissie
Founder, Love Is Project