Euphrasian basket weaving

Euphrasian basket weaving project, is an initiative of Good Shepherd Sisters in Kenya. The project began in November 2007 with the recruitment of possible trainees, home visits, counseling and follow ups. The goal of the project is to create sustainable sources of income for the poorest women and girls in three locations, Nairobi, Embu and Kangeta in Meru. The goal is attained through three major activities i.e.

training
production
marketing

Before the women joined the project they were living in abject poverty in the slums or surrounding areas without a steady source of income.

They earned their living through the selling of illicit brews, drug trafficking or prostitution. Whatever income that came from these kinds of activities was not steady and too little even to provide the women for their basic needs. Others have been living under oppression of cultural practices that do not value nor educate the girls

There are 42 women involved so far. Their age ranges from 18 – 60 yrs and they are all single mothers. Those living under oppressive cultural practices are forced to drop out of school very young. They are engaged in early marriages and at times to older men of their father’s age. Marriages often do not last long and they end up single mothers and rejected their families.

Basket weaving has brought new hope and the discovery of deep inner self wealth, reconciliation and peace, that the world cannot take away from the women. New life, power and freedom are emerging from the lives of these women. Euphrasian basket weaving is to a certain extent symbolic to women, as they connect threads and strings; they are also connecting with their own lives. As they learn new patterns of various baskets they also learn new ways to negotiate in life thus weaving entirety.

More than handouts and charity, the basket weaving has managed to put some income directly into the hands of the poor Kenyan women, empowering them to take control of their own lives. These earnings are used for food, clothing, and school supplies for their children, health care and some personal savings. What was termed as a luxury is now readily available and affordable. To buy a basket is to empower woman transform and take control of her life.