Since 1993, BEADS has been working with Maasai women's groups in Kenya to help them turn their beautiful craft into a step toward self-sufficiency. Unfortunately, we are not selling beaded hand crafts now due to difficulty with import laws.
The Maasai tribe of Kenya is world-famous for its beautiful beadwork, which is created by the women of the tribe and worn in rituals and ceremonies by both men and women. It is often given as a gift on special occasions.
Beadwork offers an important opportunity opportunity to Maasai women. Traditionally, they are uneducated, married at the age of 13, and completely financially reliant on the men or government aid. Their skills with beadwork are a chance for self-sufficiency.
In 1993, the Dupoto Women's Group was founded to give these omen some income, some security, and a way to provide a better life for their children. Since then, other groups have been established as well.
The Dupoto Group consists of 25 Maasai women who hand-make all of the beaded items we sell. This is their primary source of income, and as a group they support more than 125 children.
BEADS for Education supports the Women's Beading Groups by marketing their products in the United States and Europe through volunteers and the BEADS website.
Bead product purchases help these women and their families break a pattern of poverty.
