MADE51 connects refugee and host artisans in Kenya to international markets

MADE51 an innovative business model championed by UNHCR is providing refugees and host artisans global market access for their handicrafts.

Harriet from Congo is one of the 200 artisans in Kakuma camp and Kalobeyei settlement making an array of elegantly and stylishly fashionable products. ©UNHCR/Samuel Otieno

By Samuel Odhiambo, Kalobeyei Settlement, Turkana  |  11 Feb 2020

With all eyes on her, Harriet Mkeshimana, from DR Congo,  rocking a cream canvas bag laced with patches of beautifully coloured African print, popularly known as Kitenge, makes her way through a busy market in Kalobeyei settlement. She, occasionally, breaks her walk with short informal conversations with people well known to her. The sleek tote bag casually slings on her shoulder and is ideal for her day to day activities.

Harriet is one of the 200 artisans in Kakuma camp and Kalobeyei settlement making an array of elegantly and stylishly fashionable products including designer bags, jewellery and stylish hand-woven baskets. These products are made from locally sourced environmentally friendly raw materials and are sold in local and international markets.

Harriet fled to Kenya’s Kalobeyei settlement in 2016 from Congo with only basic skills in sewing.   She says she did not complete her education and instead her parents taught her how to sew clothes, one stitch at a time.

“I started sewing when I was only 18 years old. I’m now 22 years old. Years have gone by and I’m now an experienced designer making women clothes and bags.”

She now considers herself an experienced couture designer

Kalobeyei settlement has provided Harriet an enabling environment to upskill and change her life for the better. She now considers herself an experienced couture designer, after attending a 10-month intermittent design course at the Kalobeyei Business centre, run by Action Africa Help – International, the UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR, partner for livelihoods in Kalobeyei settlement.

“With the money I make, I’m able to take care of my son and supplement food assistance that I receive monthly.”

“If I get my own sewing machine, I can train other women.” Harriet is one of the 200 artisans in Kakuma camp and Kalobeyei settlement making an array of elegantly and stylishly fashionable products.”  ©UNHCR/Samuel Otieno

Harriet’s designs have improved from simple clutch bags to sophisticated yet detailed leather and African print travel bags that sell from KES. 6,000 (60 USD). This, Harriet says, can be custom-made to match with your new attire.

“When a client comes with fabric, or lebaya in my language, I design for them a lebaya with a machine handbag making them look stunning and feel happy.

Regina Nanok is a jeweler from the Turkana host community and lives in the settlement. Women from the Turkana host community are naturally gifted in jewelry making. Apart from enhancing her jeweler skills, the centre ensures a ready market for her unique her jewelry products.

“We mostly sell our jewelry to visitors who come to our centre.  We even sold some of our best pieces to the UN Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees when she visited in 2019.”

The MADE 51 business model facilitates access to labour markets

Edith Ingutia, UNHCR Livelihoods Officer, says. “UNHCR is deliberate to preserve refugees and host community’s cultural heritage that catalyze refugee livelihoods and economic inclusion. The MADE 51 business model facilitates access to labour markets, finance, entrepreneurship and economic opportunities for all.”

The MADE51 business model, which is funded by UNHCR with financial support from donors like the US Government, aims to provide a means for refugee and local artisans, like Harriet, to market their handicrafts worldwide, through private sectors partnership with a Local Social Enterprise, like BAWA HOPE.   The project seeks to enhance self-reliance for refugees and the hosting community in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 5 and SDG 8.