Kakuma Co: A Social Initiative Helping Refugees Sell High Quality Handmade Products so Families Can Survive, Rebuild, and Thrive.

You are not just purchasing, you are helping refugees mothers feed their children , send them to school and rebuild their diginity

Where is Kakuma Refugee Camp


Kakuma Refugee Camp is located in northwestern Kenya, specifically in Turkana County (Turkana West sub‑county), about 750 km by road from Nairobi. It was established in 1992 and today hosts over 300,000 refugees, mainly from South Sudan, Somalia, Ethiopia, and other conflict‑affected regions.

Yet behind these numbers lies a daily reality where mothers struggle to feed their children, families queue for water, and opportunities for income are scarce



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

Who we are

Kakuma Co is a social Initiative that partners with refugee by providing them with quality fabrics and tools to transform their skills into income-generating opportunities. Some of the products handmade include bags, baskets, and textiles that carry dignity and hope.

We then provide them with a platform where they can get the best market for their products. When you choose Kakuma Co, you are not just buying handmade products; you are giving refugees a chance to rebuild their lives.

Our Products

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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!