Who are you trying to help? What issue are you trying to address?

Rug n Art Studios (RAS) is a grassroot CBO that works in Bomet county in Kenya and focuses on empowering the rural poor with vocational skills that once acquired will open opportunities for employment and income generation. This project shall directly target the poor rural women (both young and elderly) with the objective of making them self reliant and meet the needs of their dependents i.e children or grand children. The reason we are targeting this group is because in most cases, women are the primary care givers, whether they are able or not. Additionally, women have a less chance to seek informal employment in urban areas since most of the time they are left behind to ‘look after the home’ in rural areas-thus the need to empower them.

RAS is trying address the problem of illiteracy and dependency by empowering the target clientele with skills.

What is your project and how will it help?

The rural women are trained in sisal bag and rug weaving. The reason for choosing this is because sisal is readily available and they are familiar with it.

By learning how to weave, these women will earn income through the sale of this products. RAS shall facilitate the market of this products. The earnings shall enable them to provide the basic needs for the families and also through groups that they will form, these women shall be more enlightened.

How can other people partner with you on your project?

Through provision of resources, both funds and training materials.

Please detail the resources that you need.

Trainings and workshop – USD 3,500
Follow up and evaluation – USD 1,500
Estalishment of a studio – USD 2,000
Total required – USD 7,000