Turkana Women Handcraft Group from Lodwar, Turkana County in Kenya, is a group of extraordinary and talented women. The group was established in 1992 when the skilled women saw the need to empower each other by coming together to weave and sell products made of palm leaves. The weaving skill, passed on from generation to generation has been perfected over years of practice. Collected palm leaves are dyed using natural dyes and commercial dyes to achieve vibrant colors. The palm leaves are then intricately woven and finished. The handwoven products are laundry baskets, doormats, coasters, table mats, shopping baskets and lampshades. The Women’s Group has about 70 members of ages eighteen years and above. They have the capacity to work and complete orders from Kenya and around the world.

Making of these woven products has enabled the women to improve their standard of living, educate their children and eradicate poverty. Crafts With Meaning has collaborated with the group by providing access to information, market and comply with buyers’ requirements. Crafts With Meaning advise on the quality of the raw materials, designs and styles in trend, fair working practices, creative innovations, value addition, quality management, presentation and handle logistics to ensure timely delivery of the products to the buyers.

With their products on the Crafts With Meaning e-commerce platform, they plan to offer employment to more talented and underprivileged women especially widows to weave the baskets to meet the increasing product demand and transform their lives. This, in turn, contributes towards the Sustainable Development Goal 8 of decent work and economic growth.