This basket is hand-crocheted by Jerica Kaindi Aruponso. Crochet work is a traditional craft in Tharaka Nithi, Kenya.
 
When Jerica was young, her family was directly impacted by tribal conflicts which caused them to lose their land, lose their home and shelter, and as a result she then had no other choice but to drop out of school at the age of twelve. Due to her family’s lack of money, she was forced to get married at twenty. Unfortunately, her husband often steals or abuses her which has caused her and her children to live with her parents. Despite this, she finds joy in being creative. She also loves singing.
 
Merry-Go-Strong (501(c)(3)) and the Tharaka Women’s Welfare Program (TWWP) work with rural women in Tharaka Nithi Kenya. MGS provides the acrylic yarn to help the women get started and then buys the baskets when they are completed. TWWP manages the adult literacy groups and monitors the well-being of the women.
 
Proceeds from the resale of the baskets go to initiatives like illuminating homes, providing water collection systems, and building a maker space for workshops and skill-building opportunities.
 
This basket has a photo of Jericah holding the basket she made.
 
Size: approximately 8"x 7"
Number of colors: 4
Material: Acrylic yarn
Maintenance: Machine wash in cold and air dry
Storage and shipping: this basket folds flat and is easy to ship and store