KENYA
Kora has been working with Ben Omondi, a Kenyan entrepreneur, since early 2010. Mr. Omondi founded Bemos Craft Developers in 1998 in Kibera, Nairobi, one of Africa's largest and most impoverished slums. Bemos' goal is to provide jobs and income to the young adults of the area, and specifically targets the jobless male population. Bemos teaches the skills of carving and helps the trainees attain the machines, materials and market access crucial to their success. Mr. Omondi has also expanded his outreach efforts to the drought-stricken northern district of Turkana, where he holds frequent workshops on how villagers can earn a steady income by turning their discarded camel bone and cow bone and horn into sellable handicrafts.
RWANDA Kora has been working with Tongo Leon Kayenga's workhop, located just outside of Kigali, since late 2009. Our first production order allowed him to add two more carving machines to his existing two, effectively doubling his production capacity. He was also able to afford roofing materials for the workshop, meaning that now rain does not put a stop to production. The workshop also recently tripled its number of artisans. Kora introduced two managers to the workshop, Yves Ndashime and Emmanuel Mukomeza, who currently attend business school in Kigali and are affiliated with the Orphans of Rwanda management training program.