BeadWORKS: Transforming Lives, One Bead at a Time

In the heart of Kalama Community Conservancy, a small village in Archers Post in northern Kenya, where women face countless challenges, Saranto Lekoloi, a mother of seven, is a beacon of hope. Saranto joined the BeadWORKS Program over a decade ago and has mastered the art of beading. While most beaders days take days to complete a piece, Saranto can create one in just a few hours. Saranto’s life, however, was not always this easy.

In the past, she relied solely on her husband for financial support. They struggled to survive, however, due to unpredictable weather patterns and prolonged droughts, which put their livelihood at risk. To supplement their income, Saranto resorted to making and selling illicit brews.

“Joining BeadWORKS improved my life. I now earn an income in a lawful way to complement my husband’s efforts,” says Saranto.

Through the Program, she gained financial freedom and a renewed sense of self-worth and purpose. But perhaps Saranto’s newfound confidence is the most significant change. She used to be shy and reserved, but now she is a remarkable public speaker who trains other women in beading techniques. She has even used her skills in peacekeeping efforts, demonstrating the transformative power of economic empowerment.

Kalama Community Conservancy, where Saranto lives, receives 5% of the total sales from BeadWORKS and uses it to finance community projects such as the provision of school fees, bursaries, and scholarships. Saranto’s son, who recently graduated from university, was among the beneficiaries of the school bursaries. With the bursary covering his tuition, using her BeadWORKS earnings, Saranto paid for his living expenses while he attended university.

Saranto’s story underscores the fact that empowering women is not just the right thing to do, it is the smart action to take as it breaks the cycle of poverty, transforming entire communities. And through BeadWORKS, Saranto and countless other women like her are doing just that.

BeadWORKS partners with established women’s groups in conservancies to help them turn their traditional craft skills into a viable, sustainable business. BeadWORKS currently empowers 1,200 women in nine conservancies, including 108 Star Beaders, who are making beaded jewellery, trinkets and accessories.

Would you like to support beaders like Saranto? Check out BeadWORKS Kenya.