Helping women with Kazuri beads (Nairobi, Kenya)

Kazuri Beads is well worth a stop if you have time in Nairobi, especially if you like well-made jewelry or need a present for someone who does. Not only is there a wonderful shop with jewelry of every color (and, seemingly, color combination), but also you can get a tour of the workshop and craft spaces, as well as a demonstration of different parts of the process.

Kazuri Beads is a shop with a mission: they help out disadvantaged locals by teaching them skills in beadwork and ceramics by selling what they produce and providing employment. The workshop shown here has over 300 such artists (including those in training). Additionally. the company provides free (for the workers) and greatly subsidized healthcare (for other locals).

I wanted to visit this shop and to take the tour (as I like to check out different types of arts and crafts s in the countries I visit) and it’s a cause I support and I might be able to get gifts there. I like jewelry, but generally like glass beadwork over ceramic, but I was really impressed with the quality and consistency of these beads. They are highly shiny and very uniform and come in several different shapes and sizes. You can also buy bags of beads to string yourself.