See how communities are making global impacts through safaricom foundation.

As ubiquitous and popular as Maasai beads may be, many would still not consider the creative weaving of the pieces as a profitable economic activity.

It’s just not something people see as a full-time job but like it
has been brought to our attention, many people are making a
fortune from the business.
An established artisan Naserian Lena revealed that she rakes
in between Ksh 300 and Ksh 1000 per necklace sold and an
average of Ksh 200 on the smaller jewellery items.
“You’d be surprised to find out that most of the beadwork sold
beyond the Kenyan borders is actually handmade by women in
parts of Kenya you may have never heard about let alone
visited,” she reiterated adding that the main challenge was
getting connected to the markets.
Maasai beads
Naserian is just one among communities that have been able
to climb out of poverty and economic frailty through the
partnership with well managed CBOs, community projects and
even trusts.

It’s no wonder, therefore, that initiatives such as the Northern
Rangeland Trust partner with reputable organisations to
provide solutions for training and marketing of beadwork
projects as part of their core business.
As with any other growing enterprise, all it takes is one big
push in the right direction and success is inevitable, that’s
where an organisation like the Safaricom Foundation comes
in.
Away from the glare of the public, many continue to thrive in
business and enterprise due to the impetus of the Foundation,
which has granted substantial support to struggling players in
agriculture, entrepreneurship, arts, health, education and social
development.
A group of former street boys run a successful poultry coop in
Nakuru which brings in an average of Ksh 90,000 from the sale
of eggs after the foundation gave the grant to start the farm.
I don’t know about you but for me, that’s a better way to go
than what we see in Nairobi streets - neglected street families
shaking you down for just Ksh 10.
Chicken in a poultry farm.
Further in the field of farming, communities have been able to
form collaborative groups that make the venture worthwhile.
Kenya Community Development Foundation (KCDF) is one
public foundation that utilized the concept in what was
dubbed as the Ustawi farming project.
Thanks to Safaricom Foundation , within six months the
farmers’ groups on Ustawi went from not enough to more than
enough with a harvest that could cater for their domestic
needs as well as generate additional income.

The Foundation has not only covered the development aspect
of society but also the recreational. They are behind the
facelift of Louis Leakey Auditorium through a grant given to
the Kenya Museums Society.
Louis Leakey Auditorium after the renovation from a
grant from Safaricom Foundation.
It may all look like a lot, which it is, but the Foundation is not
about to stop, with a renewed zeal, they are looking forward to
doing more.

They recently announced that they are developing a new focus
on three key pillars of the sustainable development model.
These are; Elimu, Afya and Wezesha.