Group 6

The Uwo wa Aka Weaving Group is located in Kalawani. The name Uwo wa Aka means “trusting each other”, reflecting the strong values of mutual trust and cooperation within the group. Founded in 2009, the group has 15 members. The artisans specialize in basket weaving alongside farming, combining craftsmanship with sustainable livelihoods. They work with recycled plastic, paper, and wool, and are skilled in producing baskets in sizes M, L, XL, and XXL, using rib, stripe, and twill patterns.

Working with Mifuko gives the artisans the opportunity to create unique weaves and develop their skills further. The group is known for its hard work and strong work ethic, as well as the close bonds between its members.

Mutual trust and friendship are central to the group, and members value spending time together while working. They are motivated by timely payments, which bring security and stability to their lives.

The artisans enjoy experimenting with different materials and are especially proud of the sense of community that weaving creates. Most importantly, their craft has helped them pay their bills and remain actively employed, giving purpose and independence through their work.

Group 7

The Bidii Women Weaving Group is located in Mavindu. The name Bidii means “hard working”, reflecting the strong commitment and determination of the women in the group.

Founded in 2010, the group has 20 members. The artisans specialize in basketry and weaving, working mainly with recycled plastic and paper. They are skilled in producing baskets in sizes M, L, XL, and XXL, using rib and stripe patterns.

Working with Mifuko provides the artisans with an assured source of employment, bringing stability and income. The group’s key strength lies in its strong sense of community togetherness and mutual support.

Spending time together as women in the community is an important shared value, and the artisans enjoy working side by side. They are motivated by the income from weaving and take pride in producing high-quality baskets.

Above all, the group is proud of the sense of community that comes with weaving and of having meaningful work that keeps them active and engaged.

Group 8

The Umanyi wa Muketani Group is based in Mavindu. The name Umanyi wa Muketani means “experience”, reflecting the group’s long-standing skills and shared knowledge.

Founded in 2012, the group has 52 women artisans. They specialize in basket weaving, alongside soap making, and work with recycled plastic, white and brown paper, wool, and sisal. Their weaving focuses on rib and stripe patterns, mainly in M sizes.

Working with Mifuko provides the artisans with a reliable source of income, helping them meet basic needs, stay active, and strengthen independence. The group is known for its strong sense of mutual support, saving together, and sharing weaving opportunities.

Members meet regularly to check quality and support one another, and they value moments of celebration together. The artisans are motivated by consistent orders and their passion for weaving, and they take pride in producing high-quality work in a calm and focused way.

Group 9

King’ong’i Group, founded in 2014, is a large artisan collective of 165 active members located in Kiteta, near Tawa market. The group specialises in weaving and crocheting, working with recycled plastic, banana fibre, and hand-dyed paper materials. They excel at interpreting designer-led patterns and producing high-quality baskets and accessories on tight timelines.

For the artisans, Mifuko provides steady income that helps sustain their families and strengthens their community. Many members describe weaving as meaningful, creative work that brings confidence, stability, and pride. Stories from the group highlight how Mifuko’s orders have improved
livelihoods, reduced financial stress, and supported more peaceful home environments.

The group values collaboration, traditional weaving heritage, and continuous improvement. Their motivation comes from achieving quality standards, learning new techniques, and knowing their craftsmanship is appreciated globally.

Group 10

The Kanini Kaseo Group is located in Utumoni village, Mavindu sublocation. The name Kanini Kaseo means “small but good”, reflecting the group’s belief in quality, unity, and steady progress.

Founded in 2011, the group has 20 artisans. They specialize in basket weaving alongside farming, working with recycled plastic, sisal, brown paper, wool, and banana fibre. The
group produces baskets in sizes M, L, XL, and XXL, using rib, stripe, and twill patterns.

Working with Mifuko provides income that supports daily needs such as school fees, home improvements, and farm labour. The group is known for its strong unity, saving
practices, and tree-planting activities, supporting both livelihoods and the environment.

Members meet weekly to review weaving progress and quality, and to agree on shared rules. The artisans are motivated by regular payments and working together as a group. They are especially proud of their collective hard work, consistent quality, and the strong leadership within the group.

Group 11

The Kyeni Kya Kyanziu Weaving Group is located in Kalawani. The group’s name reflects its local roots and strong connection to the surrounding community.

Founded in 2015, the group has 15 members. The artisans specialize in basket weaving alongside farming, combining craftsmanship with everyday livelihoods. They work mainly
with recycled plastic and paper and produce baskets in sizes M, L, XL, and XXL, using rib and stripe patterns.

Working with Mifuko provides the artisans with regular work and an opportunity to showcase their skills. The group is known for its strong sense of togetherness and for celebrating important moments together, strengthening bonds within the group.

Spending time together as women in the community is a shared value. The artisans are motivated by timely payments and consistent orders, and they enjoy exploring
different designs and patterns in their weaving.

Above all, the group is most proud of the sense of community that weaving creates and of how their craft enables them to support one another and improve their daily lives.

Group 13

The Kyanziu Arise and Shine Group is located at Kalawani Market. The name Kyanziu comes from a local word that refers to a place traditionally used by the community for fetching water, symbolizing life, cooperation, and shared responsibility. “Arise and Shine” reflects the group’s positive spirit and motivation to grow together.

The group was formed in 2013 and currently has 22 active artisans. Over the years, the
members have developed strong skills in weaving, especially in rib, stripe, and twill patterns, and they are particularly experienced in producing larger basket sizes (L, XL, and XXL).

Working with Mifuko provides the group with an assured source of income and employment, bringing stability and security to their daily lives. Beyond weaving, the group is known for its strong sense of togetherness. Members support each other not only in craft but also through farming and tree-planting activities, strengthening bot their community and environment.

A special tradition for the group is their end-of-year celebration, where members come together to reflect, celebrate their achievements, and enjoy time as a community.

They enjoy weaving because it keeps their minds active and helps reduce stress. Above all, the group is most proud of the sense of community that weaving brings—working side by side, supporting one another, and growing stronger together.

Group 17

The Wendano wa Muthesya Group is located in Mavindu Utumoni. The group’s name reflects its purpose: to unite members and work together in a supportive community.

Founded in 2018, the group has 32 artisans. They specialize in basket weaving alongside farming, working with recycled plastic, paper, sisal, wool, and banana fibre.

The group produces baskets in sizes M, L, XL, and XXL, using rib and stripe patterns.

Working with Mifuko provides the artisans with steady work, income, and an opportunity to showcase their skills. The group is known for its strong mutual support, shared savings practices, and collective responsibility.

Members meet regularly to follow group rules, check quality, and review weaving progress. The artisans are motivated by the income they earn, the stress-free nature of weaving, and the support they receive from one another during difficult times. They are especially proud of the sense of community and the financial independence their craft provides.

Group 18

The Ikya Kwoko Weaving Group is located in Nzeveni. The name Ikya Kwoko means “shake your hands to work harder”, reflecting the group’s strong work ethic and commitment to productivity.

Founded in 2015, the group has 25 artisans. The members specialize in weaving, farming, and twisting twines, combining several skills to support their livelihoods. They mainly work with recycled plastic, paper, and wool, and are especially skilled in producing M-size baskets using rib and stripe patterns.

Working with Mifuko allows the artisans to work in a stable and satisfying way, benefiting from regular orders and material support. The group’s strengths lie in high-quality production and reliable, timely delivery.

A key characteristic of the group is their ability to work on samples, new designs, and new measurements, supporting product development. The artisans are motivated by the income they earn from weaving and by having materials provided.

They enjoy staying active through weaving and take pride in producing quality products for customers. Above all, they are proud of the sense of community, steady work, and continuous orders that weaving brings.

group 23

Mwangaza Group, founded in 2018, is a collective of 43 artisans located in Kyevaluki,
Machakos. The group’s name means “light” in Swahili, reflecting the hope and opportunity weaving has brought into their lives. They specialise in basket weaving and typically work with sisal, paper, banana fibre and wool. The group is skilled in producing both round and oval shapes and is known for handling complex sisal sampling that many weavers do not attempt.

For the members, working with Mifuko provides steady income and a sense of financial freedom. Their motivation comes from seeing their skills improve, completing orders, and receiving fair payment for their craftsmanship. They take pride in the independence weaving has given them, and they maintain a shared tradition of ending each year together in church to give thanks.

group 25

The Ngimani Group is located in Utumoni, Mavindu. Founded in 2020, the group has 25 artisans.

The artisans specialize in basket weaving, alongside farming and tree planting. They work with recycled plastic, sisal, brown paper, wool, and banana fiber, producing baskets in sizes M, L, XL, and XXL using rib, stripe, and twill patterns.

Working with Mifuko provides the artisans with an opportunity to earn income and improve their homes. The group is known for its strong mutual support, shared responsibility, and regular weekly meetings guided by agreed group rules.

The artisans are motivated by staying active, receiving payments, and working together. They take pride in producing high-quality work, maintaining unity within the group,
and building independence through their weaving skills.

Group 32

Kasoni Group, founded in 2021, is a collective of 17 active artisans based in the Mavindu market area in Mbooni. The group is named after their local village and is known for its strong sense of community and collaboration.

The artisans specialise in weaving and table banking, working mainly with brown and black paper to create medium-sized baskets. They are recognized for their adaptability and quick ability to learn new designs, which makes them a reliable group for product development.

Working with Mifuko provides the artisans an opportunity to earn income from their craft, helping them support their families. They are motivated by the ability to put food on the table and take pride in turning their skills into meaningful livelihoods. The group values spending time together and ends each year with a shared gathering, reflecting their unity and commitment.

Group 35

Mami Group is a weaving collective located in Kalawani market, formed in 2014 and currently consisting of 22 active members. The artisans specialise in weaving and work
with sisal, recycled plastic, and brown paper to create high-quality baskets and accessories. While they do not focus on a single signature pattern, they are skilled in producing a wide range of designs when given the opportunity.

For the members, working with Mifuko is described as both a privilege and a source of pride. The income earned through weaving has significantly improved the quality of life for artisans like Baraka, who has expanded her home, supported her children’s education, and gained greater financial independence through savings groups. Amani’s story reflects similar transformation—basket weaving has enabled her to educate her children, buy livestock, invest in a motorbike for her business, and gain a newfound sense of confidence and stability.

The group’s strength lies in their teamwork, commitment to maintaining high quality, and strong motivation driven by new orders and reliable payment. They enjoy seeing the final, well-crafted products they create and take pride in meeting deadlines and producing consistent quality work.

Group 41

The Kanoto Weaving Group is located in Yandue. The group is named after Kanoto Market, the nearest market to the artisans and an important meeting point for the community.

Formed in 2020, the group has 16 active members. The artisans specialize in basket weaving and also practice table banking, supporting each other financially. Their weaving skills focus on rib, stripe, and twill patterns.

The group works mainly with paper, recycled plastic, and wool. Their baskets are known for their clear patterns and well-balanced shapes.

Working with Mifuko provides the artisans with an assured source of employment, bringing stability and income. In addition to weaving, the group is actively involved in farming and tree and crop planting, strengthening their livelihoods and caring for the environment.

The artisans are motivated by the income they earn from weaving and enjoy the opportunity to leave home, work together at the warehouse, and socialize with other weavers. They are especially proud of the strong sense of community that comes with weaving and are inspired by seeing the unique designs created by fellow artisans.