KICK Trading Ltd

Reviving community livelihoods by connecting Kenyan artisans with the world
Sector
Waste Management
e_city
KISUMU
e_country
Kenya

Using recycled materials and invasive species from the wetlands around Lake Victoria, KICK encourages local artisans to create handmade products. It also recycles wire from old fridge compressors and uses it to make unique handmade paper cards and bookmarks. KICK Trading Ltd markets creative craft products made by local artisans, such as greeting cards, earrings, bangles, necklaces, gift boxes and handmade paper. This gives them the opportunity to earn decent wages and enjoy consistent employment. KICK is active in both local and regional, as well as export markets and plans to strengthen both. By using locally available waste material and invasive species in the Lake Victoria region, its activities also benefit local ecosystems. 

Eco-Inclusive Impacts
KICK encourages local artisans to create handmade products from recyclable waste, creating up to 150 jobs for young people and women and helping to reduce waste.
  • Creating up to 50 direct and 150 indirect jobs for young people and women.
  • Encouraging artisans to save money, investing in the future and learning new skills.
  • Using invasive species such as water hyacinth and papyrus in its products.
  • Cleaning and protecting the environment by recycling tin and plastic containers into beautiful, reusable products.
  • Helping artisans earn a decent wage, enabling them to participate in an economically viable venture.
  • Improving the economic status of Kisumu communities.

Partners

Kisumu Innovation Center is a social business marketing recycled handicrafts products in cooperation with a local women’s and orphans’ self-help group and a nationwide marketing partner. Women and youth are trained to produce marketable objects from used tins and water hyacinth, which is invasive and is creating problems in the region.

KICK the Kisumu Innovation Centre Kenya leads the initiative’s marketing e orts and provides training for the artisans involved.

The Kowil Women and Orphans Self Help (KWOSH) Group teach artisans various skills, including weaving, wirework and metalsmithing.

Tiny Card Ltd assists with marketing activities, especially in national markets, through exhibitions and sales.