Bawa Hope: Where Wings of Hope Lift Communities from Poverty
In Swahili, "bawa" means wing. For the artisans working with Bawa Hope in Nairobi, Kenya, that wing offers something more: the lift to escape cycles of poverty that have defined their lives. Founded in the aftermath of Kenya's post-election violence in 2008, Bawa Hope has become a bridge between marginalized communities and global markets, transforming trauma into beauty through contemporary, ethnic brass jewelry, beaded jewelry, and woven baskets.
The enterprise's origin story began in an internally displaced persons(IDP) camp in January 2008, where founder Anne Nzilani encountered women making jewelry amid the chaos of displacement. When Anne asked one woman why she continued creating despite losing everything, the response became the company's north star: "The poorest person in the world isn't one without food and shelter, but one without hope."
Hadithi Crafts: Turning Stories of Hope into Lasting Change
Hadithi Crafts Support CBO is a community-based artisan enterprise that weaves together wildlife conservation, sustainability, and traditional craft while creating jobs in rural Kenya. Launched in 2014 with 500 women, Hadithi now works with around 1900 artisans, who support over 10,000 family members, living in the communities surrounding Tsavo, a critical ecosystem for elephants and other wildlife. By offering sustainable livelihoods, Hadithi helps protect wildlife and preserve the delicate balance of nature in the Tsavo national parks in southeastern Kenya.