NAIROBI, 19 October 2018, (PSCU) — Visiting Namibia First Lady Monica Geingos and her Kenyan counterpart Margaret Kenyatta today made an extensive tour of Kazuri Beads factory in Nairobi that specializes in the empowerment of disadvantaged women through ceramic jewellery and pottery for export.
The two First Ladies interacted freely with the over 340 employees of the factory, mostly single mothers who earn their living making top-notch ceramic jewellery and pottery that includes beautiful necklaces, bracelets and ear rings among other gift items.
Over 75 per cent of the Kazuri products target the international export market especially the United States and the European countries.
Senior Supervisor John Kimani guided the two First Ladies through Kazuri’s various workshop areas and the factory shop where they were able to appreciate the beauty of the finished products and the potential of the highly versatile women in ceramic jewellery and pottery making.
Inside one of the factories, the women broke into song and dance as they gave the visiting First Ladies a dignified welcome.
The two First Ladies have shared interests in the welfare of women and youth especially on matters of health and economic empowerment.
First Lady Margaret Kenyatta has a keen interest in the health of mothers, children and adolescents through her Beyond Zero initiative and conservation work while First Lady Geingos is the founder of the One Economy Foundation’s “Be Free Movement”, a youth-driven program which concerns itself with the challenges holding young people back from reaching their potential.
The Namibian First Lady is also the initiator of the One Nation Fund which provides micro business owners operating on the periphery of her country’s economy, access to collateral free loans, entrepreneurial training and mentorship.
Additionally, First Lady Geingos, a qualified lawyer, is the founder of the Talented Individual Programme, an educational fellowship which provides talented children from low income families the opportunity to access quality education, through the provision of a full spectrum of financial and psychosocial support.
She is also the UNAIDS Special Advocate for Young Women and Adolescent Girls.
The 43 year old Kazuri factory was founded by the late Mark Newman and his wife Regina .