COVID 19 – The Impact on the Enkiteng Sewing Program

Transitioning from Gift-wrapping Bags to Face Masks 

In March 2020, Kenya, like most of the World, went into a country-wide shutdown due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Not only were schools closed, but the seamstresses in our Enkiteng sewing program could not go to the sewing shops. Thanks to our generous supporters, we were able to raise enough money to supply our seamstresses with minimal stipend to cover for the most necessary items such as food and health insurance through the last few months. (READ PREVIOUS POST)

Now that the confinement restrictions in Kenya are slowly being lifted, our seamstresses have returned to our workshops and are busy sewing products in order to support themselves and their families.

In addition to making Enkiteng bags (sustainable gift wrapping bags), reusable shopping bags, knapsacks, aprons and wrap-skirts, they started making washable and reusable Kitenge face masks.

Face masks are now available for purchase at our shop in Hopewell, our retail website or for wholesale by pre-ordering

* Fair Trade Verified
* Washable and reusable
* Pocket for filter
* Made of 2 layers of soft 100% cotton Kitenge fabric
* Can be worn with adjustable strap or elastics behind ears
* Available in 3 sizes – Adult, Child and XL

 

 

We have also ramped up our wholesale initiatives and hope to generate income selling bulk inventory to retailers. If you are a retailer (or if you know one) interested in hearing more about our products, please get in touch with us, we have lots of products in stock in Hopewell, NJ and we also appreciate any pre-orders as that helps us with planning.

Check out this 8 minute long video of our Founder and Director Ellyn Ito talking about our programs and highlighting some of the products our participants make. Feel free to share with retailers who you think might be interested in our products. (Here’s the YouTube link)

Our store on Seminary Ave. in Hopewell is open and we are grateful for our customers who continue supporting our artisans. In addition to products made by our artisans in Kenya, we also carry various Fair Trade Verified Pop-up shops, currently featuring jewelry, table linens, scarves, bags, ceramic plates, soap and more!

Open hours: Tuesday – Saturday 11-6 or by appointment.