ICONNECTKENYA

During the Kupika Drive 3rd Edition event a lot happened. From the first arrivals to registration,we brought together a community ready to stand, connect, and act together. Any event is made colourful by the people who show up. Thanks for showing up. #africa #kenya #camplife #womeninitiative #kupikadrive

Kupika Drive 3 was nothing but a warm and welcoming experience for many who graced the event. To whom much is given,much is expected.Everyone outdid themselves.This time the Ethiopian women lead in the kitchen led by@MaryTaliku of @bolehotelkakuma We look forward to more collaborative and empowering experiences and interventions for the Kakuma communities and this we can only achieve TOGETHER. Hearty thanks to those who supported, individuals, partners and friends. #communitydrive #cookingwithapurpose #camplife #kakumarefugeecamp #kenya #womenledinitiative #kupikadrive

Over 400 people showed up during the Kupika Drive 3rd Edition event. Women, girls, children, young men. Kupika Drive is growing into something bigger than us. A space for learning, sharing, healing, and community. To partners. To the women. Thank you ! Thank you for showing up, for giving your time, your resources, and your knowledge. You didn’t just support an event, you poured OUT all you had. This is what it looks like when community leads, and community rises. @worldfoodprogramme @filmaidkenya @thekenyabankers @resilienceaction @rescueorg @kakumasound @danchurchaid_kenya @atoritesresort @easy_fitgang @handicap_international @girl_power_initiative_ @danishrefugeecouncil @thekamp_kakuma #kupikadrive #camplife #cookinginitiative #women #refugees #foodpassion

Bantu knots is a traditional African hairstyle. The knots reflects shared beliefs about hair on identity, community and spiritual life. Highlighting the hairstyle is Mukeshimana Aisha.A Rwandese hairdresser living currently in Kakuma Refugee Camp. Crafting the Bantu knots hairstyle using an Afro comb, weaving threads and scissors, it embodies elegance and heritage. To Aisha, this style connects modern women to their hair ancestral identity and celebration. Is this a hit or a miss? @braidfund #bantuKnots #afrobraidedidentities #afrohair #africanheritage #iConnectKenya

We held a basketry training in Eliye with talented women and girls artisans, focused on strengthening their craft through value addition and market positioning. During the session, participants learned how to transform traditional basketry into higher-value products and better position their work for competitive markets. We believe that equipping artisans with practical business and design skills is key to helping them grow sustainable and profitable creative enterprises. @sanarakenya @hevafund #WomenInBusiness #TurkanaCreatives #EconomicEmpowerment #sanaraKE #iconnectkenya

Creatives of Turkana - Esther Ruharara “When I started making beadwork, I was just creating something for myself. I didn’t know it would one day support my family.” @estherruharara is a fashion designer and beadwork artisan based in Kakuma. What began as a simple skill she learned from a friend has grown into a business that now shapes her future. She creates handmade leather and beaded pieces bags, earrings, necklaces, lanyards and belts each one telling a story of patience, craft, and resilience. But beyond the beauty of her work is a deeper purpose. Esther is using her skills to create opportunities for others, especially young people in her community who are looking for a way to earn and grow. The journey hasn’t been easy. Limited capital and resources often slowed her down. But through the Turkana Creative Nexus, she gained business knowledge and digital marketing skills that helped her move forward and reach new customers. Today, beadwork is more than a craft it is her identity. “Creativity showed me who I can become.” Follow her journey: @inspirehandcreation #womencreatives #women #refugeeentrepreneurs #turkana #sanarake #creativesofturkana

Isaac Abuissa is an MC from Sudan living in Kakuma Refugee Camp. What started as a small interest slowly grew into a deep passion for hosting and entertaining. Despite being underestimated by his community, he continues to push forward, chasing his dream of becoming a recognized and successful MC. @hevafund @sanarakenya #refugeestories #kakuma #creatives #sanaraKE #iconnectkenya

There is something powerful about women cooking together & coming together. From chopping vegetables to sharing stories, every moment in the kitchen becomes a space of connection, healing, and empowerment. These are moments from our past Kupika Drive — where food brought women together and conversations created hope. On May 2nd, we are doing it again. Help us make Kupika Drive Season 3 even bigger as we raise KES 200,000 to support women through cooking, community, and meaningful conversations. Together we cook... Together we connect... Together we empower.... FOR INQUIRIES AND DONATIONS, CONTACT: +254 711 491584 ( KAREN MURIUKI)- @wanjiku_wamuriuki . #kupikadrive #cookconnectempower #ᴡᴏᴍᴇɴsᴜᴘᴘᴏʀᴛɪɴɢᴡᴏᴍᴇɴ #empowerher #communityimpact

Creatives of Turkana -Malua Chimosa Lugazo “When I first started, I noticed many people around me wanted beautiful things for their homes but could not easily access them. That’s when I thought why not create them myself?” Malua Chimosa Lugazo is an embroidery and fashion designer based in Kakuma 3, where she runs Malau Fashion Design and Embroidery. What began as a simple response to a community need has grown into a thriving business creating affordable home décor and fashion pieces for customers in Kakuma and beyond. But for Chimosa, her work is about more than making sales. Through her business, she has built a sustainable livelihood for her family while also creating opportunities for young girls in her community by training and employing them in tailoring and embroidery. Through the Turkana Creative Nexus funded by @hevafund under the @sanarakenya project, she gained digital marketing skills,practical entreprenuership skills and exposure that helped her connect with customers both within Kakuma and beyond. Now, she dreams of expanding her workshop with more machines and materials so she can train even more young women and grow her impact. “If I rise, I want others to rise with me.” Follow her work and see her creations: @malua_chimosa_sungwini #womencreatives #women #refugeeentrepreneurs #turkana #sanarake #creativesofturkana

Creatives of Turkana - Adele Mubalama “When I started fashion design, I was simply trying to find a way to support my family. I never imagined it would become something that could transform other people’s lives too.” Adele Mubalama is a fashion designer based in Kalobeyei Village 1 and the founder of @peaceinnovation123 . What began as a survival strategy has grown into a successful business creating sustainable clothing, income, and opportunity within her community. Through her tailoring work, Adele has built more than a brand, she has created jobs, shared skills, and opened doors for others seeking a better future. Under the Turkana Creative Nexus project, implemented by IConnectKenya with funding from @hevafund under the @sanarakenya project. Adele has gained digital marketing skills, reached new markets, and expanded her vision for what her business can become. Today, her dream is bigger than survival. She wants to grow her fashion house across Kenya and beyond creating employment for young people and proving that creativity can build futures. “Fashion gave me purpose. Now I want it to create purpose for others.” #womencreatives #women #refugeeentrepreneurs #turkana #sanarake #creativesofturkana

John Kelly is a Congolese national currently living in Kakuma camp a talented visual artist whose journey was inspired by his mother, a fashion designer and artist. Through her influence, he discovered his passion for art and turned it into a way to support himself and his family. Despite facing challenges like lack of capital, Kelly continues to create and use his talent to inspire the younger generation. @sanarakenya @hevafund #visualartists #refugees #artinspires #sanaraKE #iConnectKenya

Calling all our partners, friends, and well-wishers. Join us for our 3rd Kupika Drive event a community cooking initiative right here in Kakuma Refugee Camp, led by women and girls of all ages. Through cooking a shared meal, we are creating a safe space for mentorship, connection, and joy, while also holding important conversations on GBV, leadership, and co-creating practical solutions like Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLA). As a creative hub, we are deeply committed to building safer, stronger spaces for women and girls, and we are proud to spearhead this drive. We invite you to support this initiative by donating: * Gently used clothes * Hygiene items * Food items * Financial contributions Your support will help us make this day memorable, meaningful, and impactful for the women and girls in Kakuma. To all our partners and individuals who have already stepped in -asante sana. This time, we go bigger and better. Together, we can! #womenledinitiative #withrefugees #kupikadrive #bywomenforwomen