A loan helped to pay artisans fair wages and purchase materials to make custom bracelets.


Nancy's story

Nancy is a deaf woman living just outside Nairobi, Kenya with her husband and five year old daughter, Grace. After losing her hearing at the age of 8 years old, Nancy struggled to keep up in regular school. It took years before her family identified a deaf school and resources - but Nancy has managed to excel despite communication challenges. Nancy trained in jewelry making three years ago, and now leads a group of deaf women who make jewelry for sale in Kenya and with Sasa Designs by the Deaf, a non-profit partner organization in the United States. Sasa Designs by the Deaf has doubled their sales figures every year since training and operations started.

This loan is for $8,000 to purchase leather,beads and other materials for the group's largest purchase order to date (nearly 2000 pieces!). It will also help pay artisans fair wages and cover operating costs leading up to holiday production. This is the fourth purchase order they have received from this vendor - proof of the quality and consistency of the group's production.

Through her vision, leadership and technical skills, Nancy is helping demonstrate the potential of the artisan sector and the true ability of women who are learning to overcome social stigma and isolation. Nancy and Sasa Designs by the Deaf are showing the world what they CAN do!



Loan details


Lenders and lending teams




Loan details