MeShe Jewelry 

   

In 1975, Lady Susan Wood set up a fledging business making beads in a small shed in her back garden. She started with two Kenyan women and soon discovered there were many other women in the villages around Nairobi who were in great need of regular employment. In 1988, Kazuri became a factory and expanded to employ over 120 women and men. Then in 2001, (the late) Mark and Regina Newman bought the company. Their goal was to further increase the size of the company and to maintain its guiding philosophy — to provide positive employment opportunities for artistic, dedicated Kenyans. Kazuri has grown and today has a large work force skilled in the making of handmade jewelry. They also now offer their own unique pottery-ware, which reflects the culture and the wildlife of Kenya. Each piece, like the beads, is hand made and hand painted in rich colors.

​

Today, the Kazuri workshop in Karen (Nairobi), Kenya employs over 300 women, mostly single mothers. It is equipped with a clinic providing free medical care for the employees and their immediate families. Kazuri also absorbs 80% of medical bills for treatment received outside the factory clinic. Their greatest contribution is to create employment, especially for the disadvantaged. The result is reflected in the strength of the Kazuri Family and the beauty of their products.

​

Kazuri is a member of the World Fair Trade Organization. 

​