Map of Kenya's location in Africa

The Maisha Collective

Words From Our Girls

“The money that I will save from selling the scarves will help me to go to school to learn science so that one day I can become a doctor and help the people from Kakuma Refugee Camp” – Clementine, aged 17

“I like Maisha because it is helping us change our lives for the best.  I have very big dreams. I’m dreaming that Maisha will help me rent my own house, survive on my own, and allow my son to go to the best school. One day, I would like Maisha to grow big and to be known all over the world, to be famous!” – Clio, aged 14

“I really like making the scarves because its fun and I enjoy it. My favorite part is rolling the tassles and dyeing the scarves… Eventually I want to run my own business, to be strong enough to do something like Maisha on my own. I want to do this so that I can take care of my child. I hope he will grow up to be a strong boy; I want him to finish his schooling nicely, and I want him to grow up well.” –  Adnan, aged 14

“I could make scarves for the rest of my life. I just really enjoy it. I see myself having my own store, selling my own scarves, doing things on my own.” Euphronzine, aged 18

“I like Maisha and making scarves because it’s fun, I love sewing and I’m good at it. It gives me something to do everyday that makes me feel good. My sewing skills will also help me to make money one day. I want to be a businesswoman and run my own business of sewing, making shawls, and scarves.” – Jamia, aged 16

 

MAISHA, n. (Swahili), Life

 

Every Scarf Tells a Story. This is Ours.

The Maisha Collective is a peer-driven initiative that fosters leadership and business management skills through the design and production of unique hand-dyed scarves and textiles. In managing the collective, participants gain life-long business and marketing skills that develop their confidence and prepare them for future independence. The power of purchase inspires their journey to support, empower, and ultimately protect other young refugee women.

100 percent of the proceeds are reinvested into Heshima Kenya's programs and the savings of Maisha Collective members. To order a scarf visit our online Etsy shop.

 

How It Works

The Maisha Collective utilizes four core principles to ensure economic empowerment and sustainability through profits from your purchase:

Maisha Graphic

  • Leadership Development: With supervision by Heshima Kenya staff, members drive all aspects of the Collective, including fielding orders, producing scarves and creating new designs, managing timesheets, holding weekly meetings, and making deadlines. Two project leaders manage the quality control of orders.

  • Accountability and Commitment: All incoming members must complete Heshima Kenya’s seven-month tailoring course, voice their goals, and demonstrate commitment to their future independence. New members are voted in by a panel of collective members and must sign a contract. They also participate in a financial literacy course with a focus on saving concepts and budgeting.

  • Saving: All members receive a fair cash stipend based on the hours they contribute each month. Heshima Kenya helps manage their personal savings accounts.       

  • Transitional Support: The emotional and physical scars experienced by unaccompanied refugee girls and young women are deep. To ensure that income earned is saved, all profits continue to support members’ case management needs, such as medical care. Heshima Kenya also provides material support as members transition into independent living arrangements within the community. 

For information on corporate sponsorship opportunities, fashion design partnerships, retail partners, and wholesale opportunities, please see our "Partnerships" page.

**All Maisha Collective business is conducted in a transparent and accountable manner, and cultural identity is respected. Furthermore, Heshima Kenya supports safe working conditions free of child labor.**