Widows, orphans, and the elderly in Kenya do not always have family members to support them financially. People living with HIV/AIDS are often stigmatized or shunned by their community and families. Deaconesses and congregations of The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kenya (ELCK) offer these often neglected people the opportunity to help themselves by marketing their handicrafts. The groups also offer a support network to these most vulnerable people in Kenyan society.

Proceeds from the Art Goods Program assist support groups for Kenyan widows, orphans, the elderly, and people living with HIV/AIDS. When you purchase an art good, you provide income for these groups and capital investments for new start-up groups.

How Your Donations Help:
The artisans are paid highly competitive prices enabling them to earn income and finance the activities of their groups. These activities include:

• investment into agriculture, fish farming, and poultry farming
• campaigns for awareness and advocacy (HIV/AIDS)
• saving and loan programs
• food and material support programs
• spiritual care

Investing in New Start-ups:
In addition to the income generated by the sale of these items, a portion of the overall proceeds are set aside to help fund new start-up groups. This involves offering small grants to new, deaconess-led groups for purchasing art supplies, sewing machines, small plots of land, chicken cages, seed, etc., allowing groups to create new products and contribute to the sustainability of the Art Goods Program.

These people have taken the initiative to help themselves. When you make a donation for the art goods shown below, you too, help some of the most vulnerable Kenyans.

To order, please visit our online store.