The guild works on projects which are sold to raise funds that are donated to various charities including the Dream Project and for women’s fistula repairs at Kijabe Hospital.
In October 2009 an “Artful Bra” exhibition was held at the RaMoMA Gallery, Nairobi, Kenya. Members decorated 57 bras in various themes. The sale of the bras raised money for breast cancer treatment and education.
Artful Bra in Kenya
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December 30, 2011 at 06:11
Belinda Biron
I recently returned from a short-term mission trip to Nairobi to teach 18 ladies from the Kibera slum the basics of quilting. All supplies were donated, and along with two other ladies from California, we had a very successful trip introducing the skills to make a quilt. The ladies loved quilting and will continue meeting weekly. They are hoping to eventually sell their quilts and raise their standard of living. Each of the ladies made a table runner and learned all the basic components of making a simple quilt.
The ladies meet at a church on Langata Road. The woman in charge of their group has good sewing skills, but she too is learning how to quilt. Do you have any ladies in your guild that would be willing to volunteer a few hours and help the ladies with their skills over the next few months? I have been told that people in Kenya are unable to volunteer, but I want to take this step and reach out to fellow quilters.
Please feel free to contact me for further information; I would love to keep in touch with fellow quilters in Kenya.
December 30, 2011 at 13:56
Kenya Quilt Guild
Belinda, many thanks for posting your comments on our blog. Yours, we think, is not the first such project devised and intended to help those living in impoverished conditions in some of the worst parts of the city of Nairobi. It is good to hear that you found the experience positive and that you are making some effort to carry on with the project. We will write to you privately to address your request for further information.
One point of clarification, though–people in Kenya can and do volunteer for many charitable and social activities. What you heard about people in Kenya not being able to volunteer applies only to those who are not Kenya citizens, primarily spouses of ex-pat diplomats, members of the military and corporate executives. As those people are in Kenya making what is certainly considered by Kenyan standards a living wage, the family members are not permitted to take jobs away from Kenya citizens by doing volunteer work.
In your case, we will certainly make every effort to assist. You can expect to hear from us soon!