This basket is hand-crocheted by Nanis Kathambi. Crochet work is a traditional craft in Tharaka Nithi, Kenya.
 
Nanis is happily married. Her husband drives a motorbike to provide income for their family. In her free time, Nanis enjoys helping out at her church and being around her friends who are also women artisans in the village. During most days, Nanis spends her time making baskets and taking care of her house and her son. She is extremely talented and has created some of the most beautiful and unique baskets.
 
Nanis says she is extremely grateful to have the baskets as an outlet to expand her mind and explore her creativity. With the income she’s received, she has been able to plaster her home and build a new kitchen with ventilation.
 
A bit about the project:
The Basket Ladies is a subsidiary of Merry-Go-Strong (501(c)(3)). We work with the Tharaka Women’s Welfare Program (TWWP) to help rural women who are part of adult literacy groups in Tharaka Nithi Kenya earn an income.
 
MGS provides the acrylic yarn to help the women get started and then buys the baskets when they are completed. Proceeds from the resale of the baskets go to supporting initiatives that help women and families.
 
This basket has a photo of Nanis holding the basket she made.
 
Size: approximately 8"x 8"
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