Roots
Winnie grew up surrounded by the rhythmic click of beads and the warm laughter of her mother’s workshop. From an early age, she not only learned the art of beadwork but also absorbed a lesson that would shape her life: skill in the hands of a determined person can unlock independence.
How It Started
Carrying that legacy forward, Winnie founded Wananchi Tujitegemee—formerly known as Mama Tujitegemee—a name that embodies self-reliance and collective strength.
The journey began in 2016, when Winnie was still in university. She started sharing her beadwork skills as a way to uplift others. What began as a small initiative steadily grew, and by 2023 she had established her own workshop — a vibrant space where women could gather, learn, and produce together.
In 2024, the initiative rebranded to Wananchi Tujitegemee, reflecting its expansion to include both women and men. Her mission remains profound yet simple: to pass on practical beadwork skills that can open doors to financial independence.
Today, her artisans create everything from statement belts and vibrant dog collars to intricately adorned leather straps, each piece blending artistry, tradition, and purpose.
Winnie with an artisan at the workshop
Creative Process
Each of Winnie’s creations — whether it’s a dog collar, leash, belt, camera strap, or bag strap — follows a process that blends tradition, patience, and skill.
1. Designing the Pattern
Every item begins with imagination. Winnie sketches out a beadwork pattern, selecting colors and motifs that carry meaning — zigzags for journeys, diamonds for strength, stripes echoing Maasai heritage, or personalized lettering to spell out names. This design becomes the blueprint that guides the entire piece.
2. Cutting the Leather
Once the design is ready, a leather strip is carefully measured and cut to size depending on the item being made. This forms the sturdy foundation for the beadwork.
3. Hand-Stitching the Beads
With the base prepared, the beadwork begins. Each bead is patiently stitched onto the leather strip by hand, following the sketched pattern. The rhythm of threading bead by bead is both meditative and precise, transforming the strip into a vibrant, one-of-a-kind canvas.
👉 This step is the most time-consuming in the process — on average, a woman can only complete one belt per day, showing just how much patience and dedication goes into every single piece.
Hand stitching beads on a leather belt
4. Reinforcing the Strap
When the beadwork is complete, another piece of leather is glued to the back, hiding the stitches and giving the strap extra strength. The edges are bound neatly to ensure the piece is not just beautiful but also durable for everyday use.
5. Crafting the Brass Buckles
The strap then moves into its final phase: hardware. Instead of using store-bought buckles, Winnie’s team crafts their own through brass smelting. Scrap padlocks and old hardware are collected, melted down, and poured into molds shaped like buckles. Once cooled, each buckle is polished until it gleams, ready to add both strength and elegance to the finished item.
Artisan polishing brass pieces
6. Finishing & Assembly
The polished buckle is stitched firmly onto the strap, completing the piece. Each finished product — whether a collar, belt, or strap — is not only functional but also tells a story of heritage, sustainability, and craftsmanship.
Meaning & Impact: What It Means
For Winnie, the work is more than craft — it’s community.
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Women gain freedom to work while caring for their children and homes, avoiding daycare costs or inflexible jobs.
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People living with disabilities find opportunities to earn a dignified living.
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Youth collaborate with older generations, creating an intergenerational exchange that blends energy, creativity, and wisdom.
The workshop is more than a workplace — it is a hub of resilience, inclusivity, and shared strength.
Women working from home with children nearby
Future & Dreams: Where We’re Going
Winnie’s approach goes beyond teaching techniques. She empowers women holistically, instilling not only skill but also confidence, resilience, and entrepreneurial spirit. Many of her trainees go on to join her team, creating products for local and international markets, while others venture out to start their own craft enterprises. At the same time, the men trained in brass smelting preserve a craft, foster collaboration and community balance.
Winnie with the brass team of artisans
As Wananchi Tujitegemee continues to grow, Winnie herself is preparing to take on a new role as Assistant Chief — giving her a wider platform to advocate for women, youth, and artisans in her community.
Yet one of the biggest hurdles remains international shipping, which often limits how far their work can travel. Through her partnership with Mawu Africa, Winnie envisions breaking past this barrier. With global access, the beauty and resilience of her community’s craft can journey far beyond Kenya — carrying with it stories of empowerment, heritage, and self-reliance.
