Four Days of Creativity and Growth at the Coast

In November, we spent four days at the coast with the Tswaka Three Sisters Giant Cave group under the Angaza Vijiji initiative. I attended in an administrative capacity, but being present throughout the sessions gave me a front-row seat to something powerful — not just a training, but a shift in mindset.

The training combined art, craft, life skills and business knowledge. Because many of the participants had limited formal education, sessions were conducted in Swahili and theory was kept short and practical. That decision alone made a difference. The discussions on self-care, time management, stress and goal-setting were honest and relatable. You could tell these were not abstract lessons — they were conversations about real life.

The practical sessions brought the room to life. Participants learned how to weave traditional palm trays (uteo) and hand fans (kipepeo) using locally available palm materials. Seeing them work with resources that cost them nothing but effort was encouraging. By the end of the first day, hand fans were complete, though many were still perfecting their trays.

As the days progressed, the focus shifted to beadwork and business skills. They made pearl bracelets, string-patterned designs with Kenyan and U.S. flags, and later beaded leather bracelets featuring a bat logo inspired by the nearby caves that attract tourists. What stood out most was their persistence. Some were quick; others needed more time. But no one gave up.

Business sessions covered costing, bookkeeping, branding and understanding what it truly means to run a business. By the final day, conversations had changed. Participants were no longer just asking, “How do we make this?” but “How do we sell this?” and “How do we grow?”

Time was our biggest limitation. Four days felt short, especially for mastering detailed crafts like beadwork and weaving. Still, the engagement was strong, and the potential is clear. With more practice and continued support, this group can confidently turn their creativity into a sustainable source of income — especially by tapping into the steady flow of tourists visiting the caves.

Looking back, what stays with me is the energy in the room — concentration, laughter, small frustrations, and the pride of holding up a finished piece. It wasn’t perfect. But it was real. And that’s where meaningful growth begins.