In Kenya, climate change has led to recurring droughts making farming, traditionally the primary source of income and sustenance, an unreliable foundation for a stable livelihood. The income our artisans earn from Mifuko basket weaving helps ensure that families are cared for when crops can no longer provide security.
With the extra income, artisans can better withstand the financial stress of unpredictable farming. For some, basket weaving for Mifuko has become their most important source of income. They use the money to send their children to school and buy products or services from others in their villages.
Josephine Kile is one of Mifuko artisans, a farmer and chairperson of a women’s self-help group in Makueni, Kenya. Josephine says: “We have less rain and rain patterns are unreliable. They might be earlier than expected so the crops dry out. Sometimes there are very heavy rains.” In a typical year Josephine is self-sufficient with food for 11 months but in years with small rainfall it is only 3 months. The heavy rains often cause floods as the dry soil is not able to absorb heavy rainfall. Income generating activities like weaving Mifuko baskets are essential to the food security of families in years when crops are scarce.
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Social Impact
Mifuko is a social enterprise with a mission of empowering women in rural Africa. Mifuko supports local entrepreneurship and community building through self-help groups. The women in these groups meet weekly to discuss, weave baskets and pass on traditional craft skills. The groups provide loans to members in need, enabling them to invest in family welfare or small business.
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Economic impact
In Kenya, climate change has led to recurring droughts making farming, traditionally the primary source of income and sustenance, an unreliable foundation for a stable livelihood. The income our artisans earn from Mifuko basket weaving helps ensure that families are cared for when crops can no longer provide security.
Environmental impact
We are committed to actively fighting climate change with two strategies: strengthening people’s resilience to climate change and limiting our own environmental impact. All Mifuko products are handmade from sustainable materials. The entire supply chain is transparent and Mifuko offsets carbon emissions from the shipping between Kenya and Finland.
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