Kenyan Artisans Brew Fair Trade Jewelry

In Mombasa, Kenya there is a thriving community of people living, working and creating together. Each of them experiences a disability that would have left them ostracized if not for this community called Bombolulu Workshops. The folks who choose to live there have homes outfitted for their unique disability which many share with their families. Perhaps most importantly, they are offered employment in Bombolulu, which means sustainable income and access to basic rights. They’re given the opportunity to learn crafting skills and work in Bombolulu’s workshops producing fair trade jewelry, mobility aids, wood and leather crafts for living wages in safe conditions. Were you to travel to Bombolulu, you could visit and purchase stunning bags or handcrafted jewelry; lunch in the onsite restaurant, or learn local dances in the cultural center.

It was in the cultural center where Bombolulu artisans, our fair trade partners, shared a delectable specialty coffee recipe with us during an artisan showcase. We’d love to share it with you!

Kenyan coffee beans are in the top 5 most sought after in the world. The beans grow at high altitudes, affording them a longer time to ripen and giving Kenyan coffee a highly acidic brew with sweet berry undertones. Given the acidity of the coffee, adding ginger and cinnamon creates a well-rounded flavor. So, start your coffee maker or put the kettle on. Try out the recipe, which is written as a Kenyan would prepare a single cup—steeping the ingredients, then pouring through a strainer, into a mug. Once you have coffee in hand, peruse the fair trade jewelry pieces below, made by the skilled artisans of Bombolulu Workshops.