Upcycle Program Provides Technical Fashion Skills

1. Project Summary 

What did we accomplish? 

- Impact:  

  - Showcased the Afropia Collection at Nairobi Fashion Week Season 7, spotlighting African culture and circular fashion to a global audience.  

  - Trained 25 young adults in sustainable fashion design, with 7 employed full-time at the Maisha studio in Gilgil.  

- Metrics:  

  - Featured in The Guardian, Vogue Italia, The Nation, and Simply Suzette, amplifying our sustainability mission to 1M+ readers.  

  - Sold Afropia garments, funding the rescue of children through nisria’s shelter program.  

2. Challenges & Solutions 

What challenges did we face? 

- Market visibility: Competing in fast fashion-dominated markets.  

- Material scarcity: Sourcing high-quality upcycled textiles at scale.  

How did we overcome them? 

- Partnered with Nairobi Fashion Week to showcase Afropia’s sustainable designs, earning media acclaim. 

- Launched community textile drives, collecting second-hand fabrics from local markets.  

3. What’s Next?  

Upcoming Goals (Next 6 Months):  

- Debut the Echoes of Amazigh exhibition at Nairobi Design Week, celebrating Berber heritage through workshops and collaborations.  

- Expand the vocational program to train 40 youth in 2025, prioritizing women and marginalized youth. 

Long-Term Vision:   

- Advocate for East African policies promoting circular fashion practices.  

4. Story of Impact  

From Discarded to Runway: Amina’s Journey  

Amina, a 22-year-old from Kibera, joined Maisha’s vocational program in 2023 with no formal design experience. Through hands-on training, she mastered upcycling techniques, transforming thrifted curtains and denim into bold Afropia pieces.  

Her work caught the eye of Maisha’s lead designer, and today, Amina is a full-time seamstress. Amina’s success reflects how sustainability and empowerment intersect—each Afropia garment sold funds child rescues while uplifting artisans.  

Donor Impact: Your support fuels vocational training, material sourcing, and runway showcases that redefine fashion’s future.  

5. Financial Transparency 

How were funds used?  

- 50%: Vocational training and artisan wages.  

- 30%: Material sourcing and collection drives.  

- 15%: Event participation (e.g., Nairobi Fashion Week).  

- 5%: Administrative costs. 

Thank you for stitching hope into every garment! Your generosity:  

- Empowers artisans like Amina.  

- Rescues children through Afropia sales.  

- Proves fashion can be a force for good.