About Us

About Us - Bawa Hope

Bawa Hope

Bawa Hope is a Fair-Trade company which works with marginalized handicraft artisans in Kenya. We connect creative women and men who produce high-quality products with access to global markets.

Our Mission

To create high-quality jewelry that protects the Earth and empowers marginalized communities.

Sustainability

Bawa Hope empowers marginalized artisans while protecting the Earth. Artisans transform discarded materials like brass, cow horns, and bones into stylish accessories. Your purchase supports sustainability and circularity by promoting the collection and re-use of waste materials.

Anne Nzilani - Founder

Anne Nzilani (Founder)

Anne Nzilani (pronounced as nzee-lan-ee) grew up in a world of crafts – coming from the Kenyan community which gave the world the famous kiondo basket. She has a big heart for social justice and believes in making a difference in the lives of marginalized but talented people.

Anne’s expertise is in product development, production, and marketing. She interprets new designs in jewelry and fashion, working with artisans to develop new products. She identifies products with market potential and promotes them to customers.

Her experience in the export process comes from marketing visits to countries all over Europe and working with buyers there. Anne has worked on design projects with key international designers and design universities, including Design Academy Eindhoven in the Netherlands and Cardenal Herrera CEU in Spain.

Anne founded Bawa Hope to link talented women and men in the low-income areas of Nairobi and rural Kenya to marketing opportunities in Europe and the USA. She believes it is possible to transform the lives of marginalized producers from abject poverty to lifestyles of social fulfillment and economic empowerment through trade.