Cancelled, the Dutch embassy has unfortunately not provided the required visa in time. 

Beadwork has a long history in East Africa and often carries great cultural significance. Colors and patterns can indicate age, ethnic group, or marital status. Women often learn beadwork from their mothers and grandmothers. South Sudanese women are especially skilled in this craft and now, having been forcibly displaced, use it as a way to generate income.

In this workshop, a displaced South Sudanese woman and a displaced woman from Congo will share their knowledge with you. They work in collaboration with MADE51, a global brand by UNHCR. After the workshop, you will have gained more insight into the cultural importance of beadwork in South Sudan, and you will take home your own handmade bracelet.

The workshop begins with an introduction by the artisans, who will familiarize you with their materials, including a loom, needle, thread, and beads. They will then demonstrate the stringing technique and offer tips for creating bracelets. You can choose from three patterns and, under their guidance, make your own bracelet. Meanwhile, Sunday and Sarah will assist and share stories about their personal situation.

More than 120 million people worldwide are forcibly displaced, driven from their homes by war, persecution, or disaster. Among them are skilled artisans with the talent and cultural heritage to create objects of true beauty.

MADE51 is a global brand, an initiative of UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, that connects these artisans with social enterprises. Following Fair Trade principles, MADE51 supports the design, development, and marketing of the unique products in its collection. Through MADE51, those forced to flee have the opportunity to earn an income while displaced. For consumers, these objects are more than exquisite examples of craftsmanship and heritage, they are expressions of hope.

Sunday is a South Sudanese refugee living in Kenya and a member of the Kalobeyei Women’s Handicraft Cooperative. She specializes in beadwork and is the youngest leader in the cooperative at 22 years old. In 2016, at the age of 13, she arrived at the Kakuma refugee camp with her 9-year-old brother. As a young girl, Sunday took full responsibility for her brother and herself, ensuring they received an education and had their basic needs met, acting as the head of her household. Her work with the cooperative has played a vital role in paying for their school fees and books.

Sunday shows resilience in every circumstance. She joined the cooperative at 19 in 2021 and hopes to finish her education, eventually attending university to study business administration. After graduation, she plans to start her own business and employ members of her community.

Sarah is an artisan working with a social enterprise partner in Kenya. She is the Chairlady of her cooperative. Sarah has been the dedicated leader of this group for the past few years and played a crucial role in its foundation in 2017. 

Before coming to Kenya, Sarah was a journalist and a radio host. She is a natural communicator and leader. She left Congo due to persecution of the media in the battling regimes. 

Once in Kenya, she became a tailor, mastering Grades 1-3 of Kenya’s tailoring curriculum. From this new vocation, she was resilient in training other women to harness these skills as well. With other artisan women in her settlement, they founded the multi-talented cooperative which showcases beading, basketry and tailoring. 

Photo credits: Erin Flannery and Ala Kheir

This workshop is made possible by MADE51.