In the beautiful heart of northern Kenya sits one of the most scenic community conservancies in Kenya. It covers 49,000 hectares teeming with wildlife that attracts visitors from far and wide. Apart from that, Kalama Community Conservancy is where some of Kenya’s most exquisite jewellery is made.

I was in Kalama Community Conservancy last week meeting beneficiaries of the Safaricom Marathon when I met these women, part of a group of 300 beadwork artisans.

From their manyatta in Laresoro, using skills that have been passed from generation to generation for hundreds of years, these women sell jewellery to supplement income from livestock farming, the main income earner for the Samburu.

NRT – Trading provide the essential beads, wire and elastic needed by the women to make the jewellery.

Once the jewellery is ready, NRT sells it on behalf of the women, with products being sold in America and as far as Australia.

The profits the women receive from sale of their jewellery is used in running and improving their households.

Apart from running their households, 5% of the proceeds from the sale of jewellery goes towards running Kalama Community Conservancy.

This project is partially funded by the The Safaricom Marathon run in Lewa and organised by the Tusk Trust. The Safaricom Marathon is a proud supporter of NRT- and all the community conservancies which fall under its umbrella.

You can find out more about the beadwork women from Kalama here.