BOMBOLULU

Supporting Production and Marketing of Fair Trade Products

Bombolulu

Start: 1969

Field of action: Kenya

Members: 200 employees of whom 153 disabled

In Kenya, as in most of the countries of the South, the disabled live a life of dependence in their families or are thrown into the streets to lead lives of vagrancy. To remedy this situation and to allow the physically handicapped to take care of themselves by generating their own income, Bombolulu was created in 1969 on the initiative of the Association for the Physically Disabled in Kenya (AFPK).

Context

Bombolulu organizes a variety of art and craftwork workshops: African jewellery, textile printing, leather working, wood sculpting, melting and moulding metal, and silver and gold plating.

Bombulu has given work to up to 350 producers from all over Kenya. They were selected from among the poorest families and the most physically disadvantaged. Most were victims of polio or were blind.

The artists are given free lodging or a rental allowance, health care, assistance to cover school costs, retirement benefits, the opportunity to belong to a union and a stable monthly income. What began as a charity project has now become an autonomous enterprise.

To create more employment opportunities for the disabled, Bombolulu rebuilt an African village. It includes seven dwellings that represent Kenya's ethnic diversity. It welcomes tourists and many school groups who can have a bite to eat and admire the artistic know-how of the disabled. 

“Through training and properly paid work, Bombolulu has returned dignity to people who  frequently fall victim to social exclusion.”

Consequences of the recent troubles in Kenya

Of the nine branches the Kenya association for the disabled has in the country, those located in Eldoret, Kisumu, Nakuru, Busia, Kisii, Nairobi and Mombasa were affected by troubles. With a network of mobile dispensaries of 290 stations and re-education programmes in each community in the largest slums in Nairobi and in the suburbs around other cities, most of the programmes had to be suspended because of the risks run, but part of their activities were started up again.

Approximately 100 handicapped people participating in our programmes were directly affected by pilfering, by fire in their homes or businesses or by moving. Direct losses reached €20,000 to €30,000.

Marketing and production capacity

The products of Bombolulu have an excellent reputation and are exported to about 20 countries or sold through local tourism. However, Bombolulu should invest in development, design of new products, training of handicapped persons and acquisition of better performing machines and tools. New technologies could contribute to an increase in productivity and a reduction in waste that would result in competitive prices and increased profitability of the centre.

Bombolulu is also planning to create annual catalogues to be published on paper and CD. The return to profitability will mean the centre responds to its mission of fighting poverty, as well as promoting fair trade.

The centre has human resources to deal with this change, but this expansion and professionalization will require financial contribution.