Malindi Handcraft

Co-operative Society, Malindi, Kenya

Registered in 1986 under the Kenya Co-operative Act with 30 highly skilled woodcarver artisans, Malindi Handcraft Co-operative Society today has grown to over 600 skilled woodcarvers. By forming the cooperative, members hoped to create a better life for themselves, their families, and their community.

Today, besides being the second largest handicraft cooperative in Kenya, Malindi Handcraft owns their land with an on-site carving village in Malindi, Kenya. It has become one of Kenya’s great tourist draws.

The Co-operative is owned and operated by its member woodcarvers with a full 80% of profits returned to its members. The remaining 20% is used to further grow the business.

Enriched by the historical and cultural artistic talents of such woodcarving tribes as the Akamba, Giriama, Meru, and Kikuyu of Kenya, Malindi Handcraft is working towards certification in the Good Woods program to create sustainable forests. The Good Woods program is a certification program administered by the World Wildlife Fund, Oxfam, and Kenya Gatsby Trust. Most of the items carved are made from fast growing and sustainable woods such as neem, mango, and palm wood. Neem, the primary wood used at Malindi Handcraft, is a soft wood in the same family as mahogany. Highly figured and durable, neem wood in the hands of the traditionally skilled carvers is transformed into beautiful and highly collectible art. Mango wood is another sustainable and fast growing wood. Mango exhibits wonderful graining and a sought-after reddish-orange grain.

Malindi Handcraft is also in the process of gaining membership in the Cooperation for Fair Trade in Africa, a network of Fair Trade Producers in Africa working with disadvantaged producers to eliminate poverty through Fair Trade.

The Malindi Handcraft Co-operative Society not only provides living wages but also encourages personal growth for each of its members. By providing training and education in their craft, literacy skill and computer training, business and personal banking and finance, water purification, and HIV/AIDS prevention classes, Malindi is helping each carver become more involved in their community.

Malindi Handcraft products coming soon!

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