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L.I.F.E. Line

 
What:

The L.I.F.E. Line (Livelihood, Invest, Future, Empower) is a sewing project that improves the lives of a special group of women and children in Kenya. The group is called Malaika Mums and this sustainable program provides the opportunity for these women to earn an income for their families, support an education for their children, and create products that improve the environment.

Due to increased production and rapid growth of the L.I.F.E. Line, the Mums have moved from the CTC offices into a new facility, called the L.I.F.E. Line Studio.

Visit our new online store: www.lifelinefashion.org

 

Why:

These mums came together for CTC support because they all have something in common--they each have a child with special needs. In Kenya, some cultural traditions hold that handicaps are a curse, shameful, and reason to ostracize a child and his or her family. By working together, helping each other, and building a sustainable business program, the Malaika Mums have breathed new life into the community of Maai Mahiu while supporting the development of Malaika Kids, one of the best special needs education programs in Kenya.
 
Photos by Chelsea Dee Photography
 
How:
  • Currently employ 27 mothers who were previously unemployed, ranging in age from 22-49 years old.
  • 19 of the Mums have children with special needs in the Malaika Kids program, and 2 of the Mums have physical disabilities themselves.
  • 1 full-time Malaika Mums Coordinator and 1 full-time L.I.F.E. Line Operations Manager.
  • Began sewing L.I.F.E. Bags (reusable cotton bags) in 2008 and expanded to a second product, the L.I.F.E. Jacket, in 2011.
  • Over 200,000 L.I.F.E. Jackets have been sold since 2011 and the Malaika Mums program has tripled.
  • Just one L.I.F.E. Jacket can save 17.9 pounds of trash a year.
  • All L.I.F.E. Line products are made from 100% East African cotton and screen printed in Kenya.
  • For more information on L.I.F.E. Line products, visit our online store or email lifeline@ctcinternational.org.

       

What's Next:
We hope to be able to make products for sale locally in Maai Mahiu, including school bags, sanitary pads and diapers, as well as waste management and mechanic uniforms. Thanks to large product orders from our partner Allegro Coffee, we’ve been able to hire over 400 Maasai women to make traditional beaded leather bracelets for sale in Whole Foods Markets throughout North America. So far they have produced 13,440 bracelets, which equates to approximately 21,289,000 beads!
 
 
Partners:

                        

                          

                          

Interested in buying LIFE Jackets Wholesale? Visit ctcinternational.org/coffee for more details.