The most vulnerable people in the world deserve our best.
And
our best is more than just giving shoes to a poor family in Africa. More than teaching someone a simple trade. It is about empowering people to provide for themselves and their families, restoring dignity and helping people realize their own self-worth.
This is why KONJO was born.
KONJO is an economic development initiative of Life In Abundance International. KONJO
sandals are handcrafted by a group of vulnerable women and men in one
of Africa’s largest slums, Kibera, in Nairobi, Kenya. These people were
previously unemployed or unskilled – who couldn’t even dream of making
products of this caliber and quality.
They create sandals made of local resources – recycled tire tread for the
sole, and local leather for wear. They hand-bead each shoe with
care, with each finished pair restoring life to these participants a bit at a time.
These shoes are not perfect, but they are beautiful (which is what Konjo means in Amharic). Just like the process and the people who make them.
Because of the Konjo shoe project:
- People living in the cycle of poverty are now breaking free to provide for their own families.
- Under utilized resources are being restored and reused.
- Mothers who once accepted “free” shoes now have the dignity and self-worth to be able buy their own childrens’ shoes.
- Previously unemployed people are going to work each day, and getting a glimpse of their purpose and value.
Visit
KONJO.is to read more about
the process and the
lives that have been changed from the first round of training and production. All proceeds from KONJO shoe sales go directly toward establishing other economic empowerment initiatives like KONJO.
By supporting this project you will make a second round of training and Konjo shoes production possible, resulting in 600 pairs being made, and ultimately helping transform 60 lives in the Kibera slum.Will you join us as we restore life to the world's most vulnerable people?