Dorcus Beads

Women in Kenya - Dorcus Beads:

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Thank you to all of our friends and colleagues, who continue to inspire and support Dorcus beads. Those who have followed our blog would know that Dorcus beads begun in March 2008; and in May 2008, a team of five women were mentored and learnt how to design and produce the beads from recycled glossy magazines.

At the moment, Dorcus beads is linked to over 100 women in Eastern Kenya, with over 10 necklace designs; the women continue to support each other through home visits, and are able to earn a living to support their own families.

Dorcus beads, as a community initiative continues to expand, and experiences have been shared amongst many other communities and friends in Kenya. The women in Eastern Kenya reflect that, its been possible to afford basic needs in their own households, payment of school fees, opening of personal accounts and the team is able to afford meals whenever they are together working on a project.

The team continues to aspire for better things for the future, not only for themselves, but also for their children. The richness and experience of these women is phenomenal. They hold each other accountable and find ways to afford and save enough capital for their own materials.

Dorcus beads Kenya - an initiative of women with capacity, aiming to be influential in their own ways.

For further information please contact
Dorcus beads,
P O Box 12787-00100, Nairobi
or e-mail: mvilika@gmail.com or ajfsareg@maf.or.ke

The Dorcus Beads

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Five Strand necklaces...

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Five Strand bracelets....

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The Five and ten strand bracelets, continue to be popular because of their simplicity - get your five strand necklace today by sending an e-mail to mvilika@gmail.com or ajfsareg@maf.or.ke.

The Carnival Necklace

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The Carnival necklace, can also be used just as a multi-purpose necklace!

Long spaced necklace....

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Our Wire/spiral bracelets.....

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Dorcus Beads

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Upcoming Designs

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The beauty for crafts and jewellery production is the extensive hunger for new designs, and exploring what the market is looking out for, the trends and what is selling well.

This is an upcoming design, using several coaster sets to produce, kitchen mats for multiple purposes.

Keep reading the space and please be intouch.

Thanks

DB

Mistletoe

2009-11-23T08:29:00.001-08:00

This will be our second time to visit Rosylene Academy for their annual Mistletoe event. As usual Dorcus Beads was there, April and Meble engaged in conversations with many other vendors but also continued to share the vision for Dorcus Beads and the impact the process has had on many women in Kenya.

House 'Decos'

2009-11-23T08:17:00.000-08:00

Another new venture has been the house Decos, the very typical African brooms used with the different types, size and coloured dorcus beads to add beauty to the brooms which are being used as house decorators.

contact us for prices and further information.

Thank you

DB

Christmas Garlands

2009-11-23T08:08:00.001-08:00

Christmas is on the way, check out our new venture, Christmas garlands..

They come in ..
Three types, and can be joined together and used around finished Christmas presents, Christmas trees, and as a wall decorator, can also be used individually as a multiple strand necklace.

for further information, please contact us;

ajfsareg@maf.or.ke, or mvilika@gmail.com

Thank you

DB

West Nairobi School 7/11/09

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A team of two people from Dorcus beads, Meble and Christine Katumbe, visited West Nairobi School on the 7 November for a one day sale. Parents, teachers, families and friends of West Nairobi school had the opportunity to shop and and hear the story of Dorcus beads production.

It was an opportunity for DB team to connect with other vendors but also market the products.

Thanks

DB

Dorcus Beads:

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The Team: Visit to Kazuri Beads

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Exposure Visits: Kazuri

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Dorcus Beads is focused on mentoring and building the capacity of the women who are linked to the production in Kenya and in Uganda.

As part of the exposure visit for learning, the team organized a one day tour at the Kazuri beads to see/talk/reflect and experience a different setting for beads production. The team travelled from Kasikeu Kenya ( 2.5hrs drive) away from the City of Nairobi and joined in the one day visit to Kazuri in Karen ( Nairobi).

The team was taken on a tour right from the kneading of the clay to the final products at display, such an overwhelming but organized process.

"It was a learning opportunity and a motivation for me to see this" said Margaret the team leader from Kasikeu.

DB

New Products: Five Strand Layered Necklace

2009-05-17T21:18:00.000-07:00

Its similar to the normal five strand necklance, but has different layers of the 'strands', - fit for a modern business woman.

They also come in different colours, and can also be folded to make a bracelet or twisted to hung around your bag.

DB

New Products: Extra Long Necklace

2009-05-17T21:13:00.000-07:00

They come in different colours...

They are long enough to be used as a: bracelet, several layered necklace, single strand long necklace.

They are light, fashionable and official, depending on how you want to wear them.

DB

New Products: Cell phone bags

2009-05-17T21:06:00.000-07:00

They come in two sizes......

They come in different colours.....

They have a long handle, long enough to fold and make a one layered necklace....

Dorcus Beads.

Team: Renaissance Sale April 26, 09

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The team at the Renaissance culture and craft fair April 26, 2009.

AWA: Kenya Renaissance 2009

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The Dorcus beads team, spent one day at the International School of Kenya (ISK) for a renaissance culture and craft fair for 2009 which was organized by the American women's Association of Kenya (AWA).

The team which comprised of April, Meble and Margaret spent the day at ISK sharing the stories of the recycled magazine products as well as making new connections to expand the market within Nairobi.

The team was also joined by a friend from the States who became part of the big sale for that day.

Great job AWA - the craft was fantastic.

Craft Expo 2008

2008-12-17T02:01:00.000-08:00

Dear friends of Dorcus Beads,

This short note is to share with you of the Sarit centre craft exposition that we participated in.

A few of the women from Kithituni who are supplying the products and a freind from Uganda also part of the supplying team, joined for the occasion. The exposition plans begun on Tuesday 25 November, with set up of the shop and an orientation from the Manages of the Expo week.

The team that was part of the selling crew were Margared, Serah, Diana, Dorcus, April and Meble. It was one of the best weeks for our business and we pray that more opportunities will emerge to assist us grow in diversity of our products.

We have new products which are not on the blog yet, such as the organza gift bags with the paper beads on the ends in Christmas colours. We have keyholders as well as napkins and matching rings.

Please contact us or give your comments on how best you can access these products through the contact information given below.

Regards

Meble

Prices and More Information

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If you are interested in any product, and require a price list, please

e-mail:

ajfsareg@maf.or.ke OR mvilika@gmail.com

Sincerely

Dorcus Beads
September 2009

Table Mat Sets: Code L1

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The Mats are made from 'raw dorcus beads', the beads that are specific for this products go through a double process, to protect the beads from any direct contact with alot of heat.

They come as a set of five products; One Large Mat, with four smaller sets. These together with the purses are hard products to produce.

Dorcus Beads: Images

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The Baskets: Code F1

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Dorcus Beads: Baskets and Coasters

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She has been making the baskets for the last twenty years of her life; She made the baskets to find money and educate her twelve children over the years. She is a determined woman and says she takes atleast two days to finish one basket.

She is now using the dorcus beads to decorate and add flavor to the products; her daughter in-law has also been assisting and they are also connected to the team producing the loose beads. She has also begun to make fibre coasters ( sets of six) with the dorcus beads on the ends.

Purses: Code K1 & K2:

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The Purses are made from 'raw dorcus beads', with a soft material to bandage the inside;

Code K1: Purses without a handle

Code K2: Purses with a handle ( The handles are also made from 'raw dorcus beads'.

This is one of the hard products to produce as the women say.

Impact and Transfer...

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As part of the connection to the making of these beads, women in a rural village in Kenya, informally have transfered the concept from one place to another. The transfer has been to other women in the village who have other businesses and also to homes, to schools through children and peers.

We visited some of the women who are running this business and had an opportunity to visit two homes that are making loose beads to sell to the 'core group of that village in Kenya'. Some of the key changes we heard in the homes as a result of this bead making have been..

1) Children when they come back from school, they work hard to roll enough beads so that they can make money to be self-reliant to purchase their own books.

2) Child headed households, making choices and learning on what is a priority on spending the money after they sell the beads. Three small beads are sold at ksh.1 Young families that are involved in this loose beads making are finding ways to secure their future and influencing other neighbours to be more proactive in eradicating poverty. As they sit together each evening to make the beads, they are able to talk about the day, and other reflections which never happened before.

3) As these women get together, they talk to each other on how to take care of children, references on where to get medication if one of them is sick; they visit each other, they strengthen each other by being 'present together'. They are educating their children and contributing to their families.

4) Young people are finding confidence in themselves that they can also do it.

5) Other women who have other businesses, instead of gossiping or lingering around waiting for customers, have indulged themselves too in making the beads to supplement their income. The relationships in the villages and community are being strengthened as people talk together.

6) Husbands of some of the women are determined to find the raw materias in the city; and support their wives who are making and selling these Dorcus beads products. The change in the homes is profound and shows how a family stands together when 'change' is evident.

Loose Beads: Codes G1 - G4

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The Loose beads are also available;

For further details on how to access the loose beads from small to the Extra large size, please e-mail:

mvilika@maf.or.ke; OR ajfsareg@maf.or.ke

Thank you

Dorcus Beads

Jug Covers: Code L1:

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The jug covers are made from clear 'net' material; and are weaved in with small masai beads, and the specific dorcus beads that are made from recycled magazines.

Fibre Bags: Code E1:

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The fibre bags come in different colours too!

Necklaces: Mixed Long

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The Necklaces can be worn on multiple layers, depending on you. They could also be folded to make multiple bracelets as we have seen seveal men do.

Straw Bags: Code H1:

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The Production: 1: 2008

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Belts: Code J1 - J2:

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Belts come in two types:

Code J1: These are made with beads

Code J2: These are made with straws.

Stories from women

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Onyango mily is a widow 36yrs old. She takes care of 5children of her own and 5 orphans from other families who have vanished through HIV/AIDS. Her husband died 5yrs ago and because of the war she ran away from the trouble to find peace in the city. She ended up in Naguru slums where she was able to find a one roomed muddy house where she now lives with the children. She joined the group 3yrs ago where she acquired the skills very first. "Can now make the best beads" Milly speaks out proudly. I have managed to rent a room where I live with my children. At least all my children go school. I buy books and all school requirements. With the money I get from the beads, I have been able to buy food for the family, though we can only afford one meal a day.

I now walk with Dorcus our group leader to other communities to train other women with the skills we have acquired. I feel very proud to be called a teacher even when I have never gone to school!. I have HIV, but don't think about it anymore. I keep my self busy learning more skills. I pray that we get better market for our products, and then we can live a better life with our orphans.

Earings:

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The Women in Kenya:

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Margaret:

Serah:

Diana:

Bracelets: Code B6: Extra Large Bead

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Bracelets: Code B4/5: Big and Small star

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Bracelets: Codea B3/B7: Double and Triple strand

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Bracelets: Code B2: Single small

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Bracelets: Code B1: Single beads

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Edonga Grace from Uganda

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Grace is a widow 45yrs old. She lives with 5 children of her own and 4 orphans that she picked up. She lives in one roomed house with all these children. Apart from making beads, she also goes around cleaning rich peoples compound where She little more extra money. She left Northern Uganda in 1999 when the war became worse and after she had lost her husband Through HIV/AIDS!

"If it wasn't for beads, I would be dead by now!" Grace exclaimed I get most of my income from making beads. I have to find food, medication, rent and other needs for the family. I have trained two of my children to make beads so we can get more money for the family. When we make more beads, we get more money. I also make bags from the straws, banana stems and palm leaves.

I am asking God to help us find market so that we can buy a machine to cut our own papers. That will be cheap for the whole group. The Salvation Army has helped us so much by sending people to train us in these skills. We can face the future now!

Necklaces: Code A18: Three strand with big bead

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Necklaces: Code A17: Mixed Long

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Necklaces: Code A16: Mixed short

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Necklaces: Code A14/A15 Chokers

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Necklaces: Code A13: Extra Large Long

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Necklaces: Code A12: Extra large Medium

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Necklaces: Code A11: Extra large bead short

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Necklaces: Code A10: Double Colour Long

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Necklaces: Code A9: Big Bead Medium

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Necklaces: Code A8: Single Strand

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Necklaces: Code A7: Big Bead Long

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Necklaces: Code A6: Small Bead Long

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Necklaces: Code A5: Big Bead Short

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Necklaces: Code A4:Cluster

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Necklaces: Code A2: Five Strand

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Necklaces: Code A1: Triple Strand

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Sample Products

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Welcome

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Dear friends,

Welcome to Dorcus Beads home page.

It is with great pleasure that we share with you the products that are beign produced by women in Uganda and Kenya through this blog. The Dorcus beads invitative is a micro-enterprise of women of EAst Africa. The Dorcus beads are made from recycled glossy magazines.

DORCUS.

DORCUS, who now lives in Uganda is a team mate and friend of April Foster and Meble Birengo who are based in Nairobi. Dorcus has been part of the HIV/AIDS Facilitation TEam in Uganda and has been responding strongly in support to Orphans and vulnerable Children.

In 1994 Dorcus was attending an HIV/AIDS workshop in the Sudan. Dorcus was unable to travel back to Uganda because of some internal conflicts between Uganda and the Sudan and was invited to stay with a women while the conflict was settled.

The lady Dorcus was staying with was making beads from re-cycled paper, she taught Dorcus how to do this.

When Dorcus was able to return to Uganda she began transferring that skill to women in the local communities in Kampala, Uganda. Dorcus became a volunteer for the Salvation Army and began to teach women in various Army locations.

Dorcus currently works with two women’s groups of approximately 30 women in each group. These groups are located in the Naguru Slum near the major city of Kapala in Uganda. The ladies in the group collect disguarded and unused magazine newspaper and to look for ways to retail the products that they have made. The groups meet once a week at which time they bring the items which they have made and together they determine the items that will be added to the common stock of the group. The remainder of the items they have made they retain and are able to sell on their own..

The end result of this process is that monies raised through the sale of the products either by themselves or by the community group are used to:

1. Support their own children with schooling, clothes etc. and other basic household needs.

2. Raise funds to purchase water tanks and toilets.

3. organize and support local kids and youth clubs which meet once a week,to respond to the psychological needs of children who are affected by HIV/AIDS.

4. The beads used as 'entry points' for wider community conversations to stregthen care and support for widows and young women.

This venture has now expanded to Kenya and the community of Kithituni. The work in Kithituni started with just 3 women. It now has over 50 women. These 50 women make beads at home from recycled newsprint, and then bring to the community gathering where they finalized the product with varnish at a local shop.

After the beads are made, the women find local and other sources for the sale of these beads. The monies derived from the sale are used to support there own families, children who are left as orphans due to the death of their parents from HIV/AIDS and other community needs.

This blog therefore has the intent to be sharing stories from these women who are finding ways to support themselves, but also share some of the products that are on sale. The Dorcus beads invitiative is beign advocated and accompanied by April Foster and Meble Birengo based in Nairobi.

for direct contacts please email: ajfsareg@maf.or.ke and mvilika@ma.or.ke

Thank you

Dorcus Beads