Set of six napkin rings carved from African mahogany, handmade using rudimentary hand tools. Handpainted with appropriate spots and stripes, set includes one of each lion, cheetah, elephant, rhinoceros, giraffe, and zebra.

Average size is 3.5 inches wide including the head by 2.5 inches tall.

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Working with more than 100 individual carvers in Machakos, Kenya, these African handicrafts are primarily made of wood. Carving is a tradition in Kenya with the children learning the craft from their parents. Carved by hand using only rudimentary hand tools, olive wood bowls, salad serving sets, and animal-shaped napkin rings take shape from pieces of olive wood, mahogany, and mpingo, or "African Ebony".

An integral part of the organization's function is to educate the craftspeople on the need for reforestation to enable the products to be available for years to come and offer a sustainable income for generations. While wood carving provides the major income for many in the Machakos area, other craftspeople earn a living by further enhancing the products including painting the napkin rings.

Their mission is to offer income-generating opportunities to craftspeople in developing countries by following fair trade practices including paying in advance at least the market price for items, ensuring that craftspeople receive payment, and ensuring that the craftspeople work in fair working conditions. They work directly with artisans, craftspeople, and producer groups to achieve these goals and hopefully help improve the lives of some of the people with whom we share this planet.

IMPACT

• Supports Artisans
• Fair Wage/Trade
• Creates Jobs
• Socio-Econimic
• Sustainable