Bags & Purses
Baskets
Bracelets & Bangles
Clothing
Collectors items
Earrings
Greeting Cards (in
sets)
Games
Head dress
Interior Decor
Jewellery Boxes
Kitchen & Dining
Musical Instruments
Necklaces
Office & Library
Toys
Twenty-one year old Selpha Akello comes from a family of two brothers and three sisters in Busia, on the Ugandan border. Selpha’s mother is unemployed and her father left the family when Selpha was a baby. As a result the family had no money for Selpha to complete her schooling after she turned sixteen. Selpha was not able to find work and had to stay helping at home from that point.
Selpha, above, sewing and
assembling dolls.
TEMAK’s manager, Mrs. Philomena Mashaka, heard about the family’s troubles and got to know Selpha. Mrs. Mashaka says that because Selpha could not continue her education, and with little to challenge and occupy her, and with the family having so little money, she became afraid that Selpha could become involved in the risky behaviors that young people in the area are so exposed to.
Mrs. Mashaka invited Selpha to move into her house in Kisumu, so that Selpha could have the opportunity to study tailoring at TEMAK. Selpha’s ambition is now to continue using the skills she has learned at TEMAK and one day to open her own business in tailoring. She now needs to save money to buy a sewing machine so that she can start to take customers of her own. Through the craft sales TEMAK are able to continue to help Selpha to work towards realizing this ambition, as she is able to earn money by making jewelry at TEMAK. Whilst she is doing this, Selpha continues to stay with Mrs. Mashaka, and is fully supported in her efforts towards her own business.
Selpha makes
Featured Artists
Edwina: Enjoys tie & dye
Elizabeth: Getting knowledge and skills.
Kisii women: Fighting against a harmful tradition
Victor: "I enjoy doing creative projects."