Our Artisan Program

Shop Our Artisan Products Here

The school is presently situated in Nanyuki, which is also home to our Artisan Program. The biggest slum in East Africa, Kibera, was where we were before. In order to continue with our Artisan Program, several of our artists from Kibera relocated to Nanyuki. Our artisans support their family and receive a decent salary by producing goods and completing skill training.We’ve even hired a few artists to assist with fulfilling big orders and had a number of fresh artisans from Nanyuki join our team.

Our school’s workshop on campus is where they gather Monday through Friday. Along with creating exquisite handcrafted goods, the kids also learn vital life skills like goal-setting, budgeting, saving, writing resumes, leadership, parenting, and healthy living. They play an essential role in our community’s daily activities.

Although Kibera Slum is no longer the home of our Artisan Program, our goal of “Empowering Kenyans through Education and Training Initiatives in Jesus’ Name” has not changed. Our artisan program at Grain of Rice Academy in Nanyuki is ideally situated for the community’s activities and offers ample room for expansion in the upcoming months and years. Whether you have been with us from the beginning or are just now joining us, we appreciate your support over the years. Every purchase you make from our Artisan Shop supports our craftsmen and their families as they strive for a more optimistic future and live sustainably.

Our Impact

Jennipher has been an artisan with GORP for 4 years where she’s learned basketry and jewelry making. Working as an artisan for Grain of Rice Project has allowed her to pay school fees for her kids, pay rent, improve her living standards and gain career experience. Her goal is to save money to start her own beauty shop as well as build her own house.⠀

Kimani has been an artisan with us for 9 months. He’s learned quite a lot in a short amount of time including basketry and jewelry making. He’s learned new skills in making all kinds of jewelry pieces like recently making many of our Rainbow Wall Hangings. Being in the artisan program has helped him meet different kinds of people and learn about business and entrepreneurship. It’s exciting to see that the artisan program has allowed him to be able to start a farming project nearby and has allowed him to be able to provide for his family.

Josephine has been involved in our artisan program for 2 years. She was taught the skills of jewelry making and has beautifully made many of our bracelets and necklaces. She also recently crafted together our Candy Cane Ornaments. She is very grateful for the opportunity to train and work as an artisan with Grain of Rice Project as it has helped her pay her kids school fees and has improved her standard of living. Her son became a student at our school, Grain of Rice Academy,in May and she’s seen significant improvement in his education. She hopes to one day start her own business. Josephine believes her move to Nanyuki has been positive as she feels this community to be a safe and healthy environment for her family.