Most of us, when we buy beads, have a vague idea that they were made 'somewhere overseas'. We have not a clue about whose hands crafted the beads that we use to make our jewelry.

Kazuri beads have a story, and we would like to invite you to meet the ladies who handcrafted your beads. We are excited to be part of the Kazuri story and proud to be supporting this valuable project.

Kazuri, which is Swahili for 'small and beautiful', was founded 30 years ago near Niarobi in Kenya, by the Lady Susan Wood, owner of the Karen Blixon plantation (of Out of Africa fame). She was a missionary and a pioneer who saw the need to provide employment for disadvantaged women, who where at that time not allowed in the workplace. She set up a small shed in her backyard with two women, a kiln, and a vision to enable women to find a way out of living in poverty. Using clay from the hills of Kenya, they utilized the traditional bead-making processes of the Kikuyu women to create colorful ceramic beads. Lady Wood took beaded necklaces to New York and the Kazuri Bead endeavour took off.

Today, the business is run by Mark and Regina Newman, who maintain the commitment of creating employment for disadvantaged families. Kazuri has grown to over 250 women, some of whom support extended families of up to 20 people. Kazuri is a Fair Trade organization that provides free health care, day care, saving plans for education and AIDS prevention education. They pay their workers four times the national average.