Meet
The Basket Ladies
The Basket Ladies (TBL) is a branch of Merry-Go-Strong. TBL Kenya is a registered organization consisting of about forty women from remotes area within Tharaka Nithi Kenya.
The Leaders:
Jane Kendi
Jane Kendi, born on January 10, 1995. She lives with her husband, who is a student. Jane grows various crops, including pigeon peas, maize, and sorghum. She also owns livestock, including 10 chickens and 2 goats. Her home consists of two rooms with a veranda, no electricity, but a solar system. The household also lacks running water, and Jane collects water herself.
Jane’s involvement in basket making has provided significant financial support. The income has allowed her to pay school fees for her husband, and buy essential items for her home, such as solar panels and maize. She has also used the earnings to improve her living conditions by acquiring kitchen utensils and a latrine. Jane enjoys making baskets not only for the income but also as a craft, as it allows her to relieve stress and connect with other women in the community. Through basket making, she has found a source of personal fulfillment and practical support for her family.
Susan Kathure
Born on December 25, 2000, Susan Kathure inherited 3 acres of land where she farms maize, millet, sorghum, and pigeon peas. She also keeps livestock, including eight cows, six sheep, and fifteen chickens. Her home is a simple structure with mud and stick walls, an iron sheet roof, and a separate kitchen, along with a pit latrine for sanitation.
For several years, Susan has been making crochet kiondos (baskets) and selling them to earn extra income. She uses her earnings for food, clothing, home improvements, livestock, and school fees. Basket-making brings her joy, and she’s deeply grateful for the support she’s received through this craft.
Looking ahead, Susan dreams of raising her living standards further and giving her children and future grandchildren a better life. She hopes they will thrive and be happy.
Elizabeth Kiamuri
Elizabeth Kaimuri, was born in 2000 and is married to a farmer. She has a young child and lives in a modest three-room house on three acres of inherited land. Dedicated to farming, she cultivates maize, sorghum, and green grams while also raising livestock, including chickens, a goat, and a sheep.
Basket weaving has been a valuable source of income for Elizabeth, enabling her to invest in her home and livestock. With her earnings, she has purchased cement to begin plastering her house and has expanded her livestock collection, ensuring additional financial stability. Beyond its economic benefits, basket weaving is a craft she genuinely enjoys, offering her both a creative outlet and a sense of accomplishment.
Purity Wanja
Born in 1988, Purity Wanja Mutegi is a mother of four who lives in a home consisting of two structures —one with three rooms for her family and another used for storage and a bedroom. Her husband inherited two acres of land from his father, where they grow crops like pigeon peas, maize, and millet. They also keep livestock, including goats, chickens, and cows.
Purity dreams of seeing her children and grandchildren succeed, owning land, commercial plots, and beautiful homes. She’s grateful that she can make baskets. It has brought her financial freedom and her husband’s support. Purity is proud that she can pay school fees and invest in her children’s futures.
Faith Kinya
Faith Kinya was born in 1992 and is married to a farmer. In the past, Faith faced domestic conflict, but she and her husband have since resolved their issues. Together, they own two acres of land where they grow maize, millet, and pigeon peas. They also have five children in school, except the newborn.
The family's home is a temporary structure made of mud and sticks. It is equipped with solar power, and they have a covered pit latrine.
Faith dreams of a more successful life for herself and her children, hoping they achieve great things. She is grateful for the support she’s received through the project, which has allowed her to sell baskets and improve her family’s life, and she appreciates those who buy them. Faith remains optimistic about continued success and a brighter future.
Nanis Kathambi Njeru
Born in 1999, Nanis Kathambi Njeru is married and has a young child. She works in farming, growing maize, millet, and pigeon peas, and keeps three goats. Her home consists of two temporary mud structures, one serving as the main living space and the other as a kitchen. While she enjoys a good relationship with her husband, she has faced challenges with gender-based violence, which she has managed through open communication and marital support.
Alongside farming, Nanis makes and sells crocheted Kiondo baskets, earning extra income that she has used to buy livestock, purchase more land, and improve her home. This work has brought her financial independence, a sense of pride, and community recognition. Basket-making keeps her busy and has even inspired her to start offering paid hairdressing services.
Nanis has recently opened a small beauty salon from her basket earnings.
Florence Mukethi
Florence is happily married with two young boys. Florence is very creative and talented, she loves making baskets and takes pride in her work. Her husband is very supportive and proud of her accomplishments. From the sale of her baskets Florence has been able to open a shop where she works as a tailor making clothing.
Due to her success with this project, Florence and her husband have built a new, stone home. They have also been able to help those less fortunate with food and school fees.
Most importantly, Florence says making baskets has brought her so much joy and creative freedom, and she’s loved seeing herself, her family, and the women around her grow and flourish as a result of the income from this project.
