From left to right: Zoe Dean-Smith, Joyce Kiplagat, Kathleen Vaughan, Rebecca Lolosoli and Karin Shipman

Rebecca Lolosoli is the Director of the Umoja Uaso Women’s Artisan Village in Kenya, a self-sufficient community that was formerly subject to gender inequity that left many Samburu women, like her, disenfranchised. Now through intricate beadwork and entrepreneurial spirit, women in Lolosoli’s village are funding a village complete with schools for girls and community outreach programs.

Recognizing the need to develop new markets and build awareness around the issues that her community faces back in Kenya, Lolsoli attended the Sante Fe International Folk Art Market July 6th through the 13th, and then toured Washington, D.C. from July 13th to the 19th.

Brought to the Folk Art Market by Vital Voices and Bridge for Africa, a fair trade artisan organization, Lolosoli sold approximately $11,000 in artisan products. The Samburu village also received a donation to purchase a vehicle in order for the community to transport their products to Nairobi for sale.

Vital Voices accompanied Lolosoli on some notable stops in Washington and New York. On July 15 she traveled to New York to meet fashion designer Diane Von Furstenburg who placed an order for sample of her beadwork. That night she was received by the Kenyan Embassy in Washington, D.C. who hosted an artisan craft fair in her honor. On July 16, she met with the staff of Senator Barbara Boxer regarding violence in the Samburu area. On July 17, she met with the National Endowment for Democracy to discuss human rights for Umoja women. On July 18, she met with Wendy Ellsworth, founder of Beads for Education, which supports educational advancement for Africa girls.

As Lolosoli returns to Kenya, she will no doubt face great challenges as she continues to educate women on their rights and expand their community programs. However, Vital Voices will continue to support Lolosoli and the Samburu women in helping them to realize their dreams.