Kakuma Co sells quality goods handmade in the Kakuma refugee Camp.

Your purchase gives refugees vital job opportunities and funds economic development.

What is Kakuma?

Kakuma is a town in northwestern Kenya, and the host of one of the largest refugee camps in the world. Around 300,000 refugees live in the camp; resources are scarce, and having a source of income is vital.

Woman working at a sewing machine in a workshop with other sewing machines and materials.

What Is Kakuma Co?

Kakuma Co partners with refugees to provide them with a consistent source of income. This provides refugees the opportunity to support their families and gives refugee entrepreneurs the ability to expand their operations.

Our Products

Handmade and Unique

Meet Adele

Adele is an entrepreneur and refugee from the Congo. She has lived in Kakuma Camp since 2017, and a few years after arriving, she and her husband started Peace House Innovations, a tailoring and clothing design shop shown in the video above.

Her shop employs over 25 refugees who hand-make the bags and clothing on our site.

FAQs

Where is Kakuma?

Kakuma is the name of a town and a refugee camp in northwestern Kenya, near its border with Sudan.

How does purchasing from Kakuma Co benefit refugees?

By purchasing from Kakuma Co, you directly support the livelihoods of refugee artisans in Kakuma, providing them with sustainable income opportunities and empowering them to build a better future for themselves and their families.

Where does the money from my purchase go?

Where your money goes and who it goes to depends on the product, but the refugee that made it receives a percentage (usually between 25-65% of the purchase price) which they generally use to pay employees, expand their business, or provide for their family.

Around 10-30% goes to covering costs for Kakuma Co, such as US employees, this website, and advertising.

Another 10-30% of your purchase goes to shipping costs.

Any profit that is left over is donated or invested back into the camp, usually through our partnered nonprofit Maak Impact, which you can check out at maakimpact.org.

How does Kakuma Co ensure fair wages and working conditions for artisans?

We check in regularly with the people we hire or purchase from in the camp to see what cut of our purchase the employees get to make sure it is fair, and also have our own employees that can check in on the shops where our goods are made.

We also make periodic visits to the camp and the shops where our products are made.

Can I track the impact of my purchase?

Yes! We provide regular updates and stories from the artisans themselves, so you can see the direct impact of your purchase on their lives and communities.

If you're especially curious about how your specific purchase helps, email us and we will give you specifics on whatever product you bought.

What materials are used in your products?

Our products are made using a variety of locally sourced and sustainable materials, including fabrics, threads, and other materials that reflect the rich cultural heritage of the artisans' communities. We also source many materials from a large market in Nairobi, and from manufacturers in China.

How can I get involved or support Kakuma Co's mission?

Contact us if you want to get involved personally, or check out maakimpact.org if you want to donate directly or get involved with a nonprofit working on improving lives in Kakuma.

Otherwise, enjoy your product and share Kakuma Co with your friends!