A loan helped to support Olivia purchase over 750 pairs of Ankole horn to create and maintain 150 Ugandan artisan jobs.


Olivia's story

For centuries, Ankole cattle has been the centerpiece of Olivia's Bahima culture. Today, however, Ankole cattle have been sidelined by farmers in favor of exotic breeds with higher milk yields. Olivia is the co-founder of Olivia Knox, an artisan organization focused on repurposing Ankole cow horn (a by-product of the beef industry), into beautiful handmade goods. Olivia Knox is passionate about bringing these pieces from Uganda to the international market to provide employment for Ugandan artisans, improve the economics of the breed, and promote Bahima culture.

Olivia Knox works with over 100 independent Ugandan artisans and has recently opened its own factory in Uganda. By the end of 2017, Olivia hopes to train and employ over 50 in-house artisans. She has secured a 5-year contract with a major horn manufacturer in Europe, which guarantees consistent cashflows and stable jobs for Ugandan artisans. Olivia plans to use a Kiva loan to purchase the raw materials needed to fulfill Olivia Knox's contract, guaranteeing stable income for over 100 Ugandan artisans.

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This loan is special because:

It supports artisan organizations that have an impact beyond a single artisan.



Loan details


Lenders and lending teams




Loan details