WELCOME TO ZAWADISHA

We're your social good marketplace that uplifts women. Our name is Swahili and means to give a gift, which is quite fitting for our little shop.

We scour the continent of Africa for the most beautiful, exceptionally crafted and ethically sourced handmade goods, supporting in local artisans and communities.

Then we invest 100% of sales into our microlending program that has served thousands of women in Kenya. Pretty cool, right?

BOLD. BEAUTIFUL. YOU.

Handmade jewelry from Cape Town, South Africa
  • Setting Sun & Warmth Earrings - Zawadisha
    Setting Sun & Warmth Earrings - Zawadisha
    Setting Sun & Warmth Earrings

    Setting Sun & Warmth Earrings

    Regular price $39.00
  • Autumn Leaf Earrings - Zawadisha
    Autumn Leaf Earrings - Zawadisha
    Autumn Leaf Earrings

    Autumn Leaf Earrings

    Regular price $39.00
    Sold Out
  • Golden Rays Earrings - Zawadisha
    Golden Rays Earrings - Zawadisha
    Golden Rays Earrings

    Golden Rays Earrings

    Regular price $39.00
  • Setting Sun Earrings - Zawadisha
    Setting Sun Earrings - Zawadisha
    Setting Sun Earrings

    Setting Sun Earrings

    Regular price $39.00

Zawadisha provides small loans to rural Kenyan women to help finance their livelihoods

  • We remove the barriers for rural women to access essential household items like solar lamps, rain water tanks, and clean cook stoves. We deliver these items directly to their homes in rural villages and they pay for them over time.

  • When women living in poverty have access to renewable energy and water, they see a dramatic increase in the quality of their lives. Money is spent on school fees for children instead of on kerosene lamps. Women can use the six hours they would have spent walking to a river for water or into the forest for fuel wood on income-generating activities. Women’s status in the home is elevated as they are the ones responsible for the dramatic changes that benefit the entire family.

  • When you purchase something from our shop, you are not only supporting local artisans from around Africa, you are helping us provide more loans for essential household items that radically improve the lives of women and their families.

  • “My house does not leak anymore because of the iron sheets I got from Zawadisha.”

    Guidencia wakufa, uwezo women's Group
  • “I no longer need to search for water now that I have my water tank, and my quality of life is much improved. ”

    Rose Wanjala, Msangarinyi Women's Group
  • “When I am finished with my loan for solar lights, I will take another loan for another product. My solar light means that I don't have to use paraffin anymore, which is much healthier for my family.”

    Betty Zighe Mwawughanga, Msangarinyi Women's Group
  • “Thanks for the water tank & solar lamp, I can now focus at night on creating baskets to sell to supplement my income.”

    Nzikwa Masonge, Kisimenyi Basket Weaving Women's Group

There's a reason why they sell out

One of a kind and handmade by the women from our community
  • Crochet basket from Kenya
    Crochet Basket | Rafiki
    Crochet Basket | Rafiki

    Crochet Basket | Rafiki

    Regular price $35.00
  • Crochet basket from Kenya
    Crochet Basket | Jina Langu Ni
    Crochet Basket | Jina Langu Ni

    Crochet Basket | Jina Langu Ni

    Regular price $35.00
  • Crochet Basket | Jina Lako Ni Nani
    Crochet basket from Kenya
    Crochet Basket | Jina Lako Ni Nani

    Crochet Basket | Jina Lako Ni Nani

    Regular price $35.00
  • Crochet basket from Kenya
    Crochet Basket | Karibu
    Crochet Basket | Karibu

    Crochet Basket | Karibu

    Regular price $48.00

LET'S GO ✈️

Join us on one of our guided tours through Kenya
  • Cycling Safari
    Change Makers Cycling Trip | 2023 - Zawadisha
    Cycling Safari

    Cycling Safari

    Regular price $250.00+
  • Change Makers Cycling Trip | 2023 - Zawadisha
    Change Makers Cycling Trip | 2023 - Zawadisha
    Change Makers Cycling Tour

    Change Makers Cycling Tour

    Regular price $250.00+
  • Custom Tours: Making our Secret Gems Yours
    Custom Tours: Making our Secret Gems Yours
    Custom Tours: Making our Secret Gems Yours

    Custom Tours: Making our Secret Gems Yours

    Regular price $0.00

JOURNAL

  • Custom Tours: Where Our Secret Gems Become Yours
    Custom Tours: Where Our Secret Gems Become Yours

    Custom Tours: Where Our Secret Gems Become Yours

    Have you always wanted to go to Kenya but need help figuring out where to start? We get it. Planning a trip to Kenya can be overwhelming and confusing, but that's where we come in. At Zawadisha, we're are here to make your wildest African dreams come true.
  • How To Care for Your Sisal Basket
    How To Care for Your Sisal Basket

    How To Care for Your Sisal Basket

    Sisal is famous for being an extremely strong and hardy material; it is resilient even to salt water! But there are ways to care for your basket. Here's how.

  • A little list of things to love about Nairobi
    A little list of things to love about Nairobi

    A little list of things to love about Nairobi

    When you join us on a cycling tour through Kenya, we always recommend you arrive in Nairobi a day or two early to rest and recharge. There is so much to do in the capital city of Kenya that you might want to add an extra day to your trip!