We represent  collaboration  among business people and artisans showcasing the wonderful and diverse culture that is Kenya. Our goal is to provide people a greater opportunity to share their talent and improve their lives.

More than 50% of the Kenyan population lives in poverty. In the households of many working in the informal sector (which includes artisans) the average income per adult has been reported as low as $0.85 a day (the international poverty line is $1.08). As an estimated 68% of non-agricultural employment is in the informal sector, this struggle is a reality for many hard working Kenyans. Why is an effort to improve their lives such a struggle? There are no easy answers; however we believe some of the constraints are access to credit, marketing and equally shared success of these micro-enterprises. In order for people to have hope for the future they must feel they have something to gain or lose--that something is at stake. We focus on supporting producers who share the financial success of the group's creativity and hard work. 

JMS Ventures Inc (Americans working in the US) is responsible for marketing in the US and has provided initial capital to get the collaboration started. Out of Kenya Art (Kenyans working in Kenya) is responsible for finding the treasures, and working with the artisans in Kenya. The entire group works together to develop new products in addition to identifying existing products in Kenya that meet our standards both in terms of beauty, quality of the product and in compensation and treatment of the artisans.

As all of the products are handmade and take skill and time to create, they will not be mass produced and therefore will not be seen in everyone's home. We know our customers will be happy to own or give as a gift a very unique personal product that a limited number of people will have.

In presenting The Kenyan Collection, we will always have one non-profit item available. The proceeds from this item will go back into the community--either directly through one of our projects or through a vetted non-profit organization. See our home page for more about that item.