Group 4

The Mumo wa Manyala group is based in the Mavindu neighbourhood. The name Mumo wa Manyala means “grace” and reflects the group’s shared values, such as care and support.

Founded in 2016, the group has 22 artisans. Alongside soap making, the members specialise in basket weaving and work with plastic, sisal, brown paper, wool and banana fibre.

Working with Mifuko provides the artisans with stable employment and a source of income. The group is known for its strong mutual support and regular weekly meetings, where members review quality and progress and celebrate achievements.

The artisans are motivated by shared savings and fair payments, and they enjoy learning new designs and colour combinations. They are proud to make high-quality baskets and grow together as a community.

Group 6

The Uwo wa Aka Weaving Group is based in Kalawan. The name Uwo wa Aka means “trust in one another” and reflects the group’s strong values of mutual trust and cooperation.

Founded in 2009, the group has 15 members. The artisans specialise in basket weaving alongside farming. They work with plastic, paper and wool and make baskets in sizes M, L, XL and XXL.

Working with Mifuko gives the artisans an opportunity to create unique weaves and further develop their skills. 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 important 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 particularly proud of the sense of community that weaving creates. Their craft skills have helped them pay their bills and remain actively employed, while bringing purpose and independence through their work.

Group 7

The Bidii Women Weaving Group is based in Mavindu. The name Bidii means “hardworking” and reflects the strong commitment and determination of the women in the group.

Founded in 2010, the group has 20 members. The artisans specialise in basket weaving and work mainly with plastic and paper. They make baskets in sizes M, L, XL and XXL.

Working with Mifuko provides the artisans with a reliable source of employment, as well as stability and income. A key strength of the group is its strong sense of community 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 making high-quality baskets.

Above all, the group is proud of the sense of community that weaving brings and the 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” and reflects the group’s longstanding skills and shared knowledge.

Founded in 2012, the group has 52 women artisans. They specialise in basket weaving alongside soap making and work with plastic, white and brown paper, wool and sisal.

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

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

Group 9

King’ong’i Group is an artisan collective founded in 2014 with 165 active members, based in Kiteta near Tawa market. The group specialises in weaving and crochet and works with plastic, banana fibre and hand-dyed paper materials. Its members are skilled at interpreting patterns created by designers and producing high-quality baskets and accessories to tight deadlines.

Working with Mifuko provides the artisans with a stable income that helps them support their families. Many members describe weaving as meaningful, creative work that brings confidence, stability and pride. The group’s artisans have reported that income from Mifuko’s orders has improved their livelihoods, reduced financial stress and supported a calmer everyday life.

The group values cooperation, traditional weaving heritage and continuous development. Its members are motivated by meeting quality standards, learning new techniques and knowing that their craftsmanship is appreciated around the world.

Group 10

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

Founded in 2011, the group has 20 artisans. They specialise in basket weaving alongside farming and work with plastic, sisal, brown paper, wool and banana fibre. The group makes baskets in sizes M, L, XL and XXL.

Working with Mifuko provides income that the artisans use for everyday needs, such as school fees, home renovations and farm labour. The group is known for its strong unity, saving practices and tree-planting activities.

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.

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 specialise in basket weaving alongside farming. They work mainly with plastic and paper and make baskets in sizes M, L, XL and XXL.

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 belonging and for celebrating important moments together, which strengthens the bonds within the group.

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

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

Group 13

The Kyanziu Arise and Shine Group is located at Kalawani Market. The name Kyanziu comes from a local word referring to a place where the community has traditionally collected water, symbolising life, cooperation and shared responsibility. “Rise and Shine” reflects the group’s positive spirit and motivation to grow together.

The group was founded in 2013 and currently has 22 active artisans. Members have strong weaving skills and extensive experience in making larger basket sizes (L, XL and XXL).

Working with Mifuko provides the group with a reliable source of income and employment, bringing stability and security to their everyday lives. In addition to weaving, the group is known for its strong sense of belonging. Members support one another not only in their craft work but also in farming and tree planting.

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

They enjoy weaving because it keeps their minds active and helps reduce stress. Above all, the group is 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: bringing members together and working as a supportive community.

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

The group makes baskets in sizes M, L, XL and XXL.

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

Members meet regularly to uphold the group’s 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 particularly proud of their 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 hands to work harder”, reflecting the group’s strong work ethic and commitment to productivity.

Founded in 2015, the group has 25 artisans. Members specialise in weaving, farming and cord twisting, combining several skills to support their livelihoods. They work mainly with plastic, paper and wool and are particularly skilled at making size M baskets with ribbed and striped patterns.

Working with Mifuko enables the artisans to have stable and fulfilling work, and they benefit from regular orders and material support. The group’s strengths include high-quality production and reliable, timely deliveries.

A key characteristic of the group is its ability to work with samples, new designs and measurements, supporting product development. The artisans are motivated by the income from weaving and the availability of materials.

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

group 23

Mwangaza Group was founded in 2018 and is a collective of 43 artisans based in Kyevaluki, Machakos. The group’s name means “light” in Swahili and reflects the hope and opportunities that weaving has brought to their lives.

They specialise in basket weaving and typically work with sisal, paper, banana fibre and wool. The group is skilled at making both round and oval shapes and is known for its mastery of demanding sisal weaving.

For its members, working with Mifuko provides a stable income and a sense of financial freedom. They are motivated by developing their skills, completing orders and receiving fair compensation for their craftsmanship. They are proud of the independence that weaving has given them, and the group shares a tradition of ending the year together in church, giving thanks.

group 24

The Kithito Kya Aka group is based in Mavindu Utumoni. The group’s name means “hardworking women”, reflecting their commitment and shared effort.

Founded in 2018, the group has 20 artisans. They specialise in basket weaving alongside farming and soap making and work with plastic, paper, sisal, wool and banana fibre. The group makes baskets in sizes M, L, XL and XXL.

Working with Mifuko provides the artisans with regular work, income and an opportunity to showcase their skills. The group is known for its strong mutual support and for celebrating important moments together, including a special Christmas tradition.

Members meet weekly to review the progress and quality of orders. The artisans are motivated by a stable income and new orders, and they enjoy staying active through weaving. They are particularly proud of learning to work with new materials, colours, designs and sizes, and of developing their skills together as a group.

group 25

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

The artisans specialise in basket weaving alongside farming and tree planting. They work with plastic, sisal, brown paper, wool and banana fibre and make baskets in sizes M, L, XL and XXL.

Working with Mifuko gives the artisans 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 the group’s unity and building independence through their weaving skills.

Group 32

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

The artisans specialise in weaving and table baskets, working mainly with brown and black paper to make medium-sized baskets. They are known for their adaptability and ability to learn new designs quickly, making them a reliable product development group.

Working with Mifuko gives the artisans an opportunity to earn income through their craft and helps them support their families. They are motivated by the opportunity to meet their families’ daily needs and take pride in turning their skills into a source of livelihood.

The group values spending time together and ends each year with a shared gathering that reflects its unity and commitment.

Group 35

Mami Group is a weaving collective based at Kalawan market, founded in 2014 and currently comprising 22 active members. The artisans specialise in weaving and work with sisal, plastic and brown paper to make high-quality baskets and accessories. Although they do not focus on a single pattern, they are skilled at making a wide range of designs.

For its members, working with Mifuko is both a privilege and a source of pride. The group’s artisans have reported that their weaving income has had a positive effect on their everyday lives. Baraka reports using the income for purposes including extending their home and supporting their children’s education, and strengthening their financial independence through savings groups. Amani reports using the income for their children’s education and to purchase livestock and a motorcycle for business use.

The group’s strengths lie in teamwork, a commitment to maintaining high quality and the strong motivation provided by new orders and reliable payments. They enjoy seeing well-made finished products and take pride in meeting deadlines and producing consistently high-quality work.

Group 41

The Kanoto Weaving Group is based in Yandue. The group is named after Kanoto Market, the market closest to the artisans and an important meeting place for the community.

Founded in 2020, the group has 16 active members. The artisans specialise in basket weaving and also practise table banking, supporting one another financially. Their weaving skills focus on ribbed, striped and twill patterns.

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

Working with Mifuko provides the artisans with a reliable source of employment, as well as stability and income. Alongside weaving, the group is actively involved in farming and planting trees and other plants.

The artisans are motivated by the income from weaving and enjoy the opportunity to leave home, work together at the warehouse and spend time with other weavers. They are particularly proud of the strong sense of community that weaving brings and are inspired by seeing the unique patterns created by other artisans.

Bolga-Sherigu Weavers

Bolga-Sherigu Weavers is an artisan group based in Bolgatanga, Ghana. Sherigu is a small artisan community in the Bolgatanga area, and all members of the group come from the Sherigu community. The group was founded in 2020.

The group currently includes 60 weavers, 10 apprentices and 5 master weavers. Their particular expertise is a double-weaving basket technique that requires precision, experience and strong cooperation between artisans. They work mainly with elephant grass and leather. The group makes round, oval and rectangular shapes, combining traditional craft skills with careful finishing.

Working with Mifuko provides the artisans with international visibility and an important source of income. In addition to income, seeing their own names on Mifuko basket labels brings the artisans recognition and pride and connects local craftsmanship with an international audience.

One of the group’s strengths is the strong trust between its members. As they all come from the same community, cooperation comes naturally. Some members can read and write, and the group also includes teachers, which helps with interpreting design instructions and developing new products.

Many of the weavers also work as traders, selling baskets and agricultural products at nearby markets. During the growing season, they help one another with sowing and harvesting. In addition to being a weaving community, the group serves as a support network that includes saving and mutual assistance between members.

The artisans are motivated by their craft income, which supplements income from small-scale farming and helps support their families. They are particularly proud that their work enables them to support their children’s basic education and earn a livelihood through their own skills. For Bolga-Sherigu Weavers, basket weaving is both a source of livelihood and a shared part of the community’s identity, rooted in tradition and cooperation and gaining international visibility through their partnership with Mifuko.

Firecrest International Bird Carvers

Firecrest International Bird Carvers is a group of young artisans in Machakos, Kenya. The group takes its name from the goldcrest, a small bird, and the name reflects its interest in nature and birds.

Founded in 2024, the group includes nine skilled woodcarvers who specialise in hand-carved wooden birds. They work with different types of wood and are not limited to specific shapes or designs, allowing them to fulfil a variety of customer requests with attention to detail.

Working with Mifuko provides these young artisans with a source of livelihood and opportunities for the future. Carving is also a meaningful craft profession for them, allowing them to practise their skills daily and express their creativity. Teamwork is important to the group: members work together, support one another and are open to learning and developing their work.

The group visits museums to study live and preserved birds and deepen their understanding of their shape, movement and colours. The artisans take pride in seeing a simple piece of wood become a finished product that travels abroad and is appreciated for its quality and craftsmanship.

The Bulula Carving Group

The Bulula Carving Group is located in Nairobi and was formed in 2017. The group has grown from 7 to 14 artisans, united by strong teamwork and shared commitment.

The artisans specialize in wood carving, working mainly with wood and producing a wide range of designs based on customer requests. Their strength lies in their ability to
adapt and bring unique ideas to life through skilled craftsmanship.

Working with Mifuko represents hope for the future and a path toward greater financial stability. As refugees, the artisans are motivated by the desire for security and better opportunities. The group meets regularly at the end of each month to support one another, share experiences, and offer help when needed.

The artisans take pride in their work, especially in the positive feedback from clients and in knowing that their craftsmanship stands out among other carvers.