Kazuri Bead Factory: About 30 years ago in order to help single mothers take care of themselves and their children, a bead factory was established. Clay soil is dug to make the beads, women fashion the shape of the clay and then fire them in kilns, they the beads with various designs, fire them again, then glaze them, string them, prepare them for market. The beads are a big thing here in Kenya with the tourists. The beads are also shipped outside Kenya to other markets. The US orders completed necklaces and also loose beads for women to make their own necklaces. They also make pottery.

This is a woman fashioning beads from the clay--rolling them between her hands. They have molds for the various sizes of clay needed for a particular bead. Different sizes and shapes are made using this method.

Here is one of the few men who work at the factory 'throwing' the cup on his pottery wheel. After the cups are made the handles are attached.

Painting the individual beads before firing in the kiln. The company has two kilns for pottery and 5 or 6 kilns for the beads.

The company hires the single women, and also offers health benefits to them and their children.

Painting the Pottery.