Mifuko Ltd was founded by Minna Impiö and Mari Martikainen in 2009. Both are graduates of the University of Industrial Arts and Design, Helsinki. Minna has lived in Kenya for four years, where she sources new design ideas and visits the workshops regularly, while Mari is based in Helsinki and ensures that the designs and finishes meet European expectations and tastes.

Mifuko works a Helsinki-Nairobi-axis. While the designs are done by Finnish artists they are inspired by the colours, textures and vibrancy of Africa. Every product is designed in such a way as to utilize traditional craftsmanship and available materials. Mari and Minna know almost all the Mifuko artisans by name, and hope to employ more and more Kenyans, offering them a regular income and good working conditions.

Fair design:

Mifuko workshops are all small. Several workshops employ less fortunate artisans, who aredisabled, HIV-positive or mentally handicapped. Transparency is an integral part of the production chain. Workshops are visited on a regular basis, ensuring that Fair Trade principles are followed. Several of Mifuko´s subcontractors possess the Fair Trade mark.

Mifuko does not use suppliers unless we are satisfied that they work within the spirit of fair trade. For example, we have visited the canvas-manufacturing factory, which supplies some of our canvas for bag making (other canvas comes from recycled safari tents) and have examined their production processes. We were pleased to find that our canvas is produced in accordance with European standards. The materials are durable and products are well made and long lasting. Some Mifuko products are also made from off-cuts. Materials come mostly from Kenya, for example, materials such as leather and cotton canvas are supplied locally. Also, recycled materials are purchased from nearby producers.

Using recycled materials.

Mifuko´s production is eco-friendly. Products are made from recycled and, where possible, organic materials: for example, recycled aluminum and inner tubes from car tyres, which can be found in Nairobi´s marketplaces. Mifuko doesn´t use any harmful chemicals in its production. Our high quality leather comes from cows in Kenya's central highlands and Rift Valley, which graze freely from place to place. Skins are treated according to European standards and stained with metal-free dyes. Many products are finished using basic technologies that are consistent with traditional handcraft skills and which are low in energy consumption.

Challenges.

Like any developing nation, Kenya has some unique production problems and so we constantly monitor our demand schedules to pre-empt and avoid delays. Power cuts are commonplace,some of the workshops are outdoors and the rain prevents work and in a culture where extended family provide the only social benefit system, birth, death and marriage are personal events, which may suspend work for several days. Africa is an ancient place where drought, wild animals and distance still mean that life is unpredictable and people live with constant uncertainty. As a consequence perceptions of time are often more flexible and unhurried than in Europe. Since our aim is to work with our African artisans and suppliers rather than impose our own ideas upon them, we simply ensure we allow enough time during production to cater for any unusual events or delays. We also spend time with each artisan, discussing design ideas, learning about their aspirations and coming up with new products. Because we come up with our designs using this process of consensus, we find that we can produce better and more exciting products. Besides, we believe that not only is this method more creative, but also more friendly and fun!

Work of hands and hearts:

Our artisans may never get the chance to travel to Finland, but their uniquess and warmth, are entwined with the beads and stitches, which they work into our products.Mifuko aims to support local workshops, which care about the welfare of their artisans and produce environmentally friendly products. There are numerous artisans in Kenya who have difficulty making their livelihood from their work. Often the artisans lack the skills, knowledge and financial capital to invest in entrepreneurship. They end up competing with each other with similar products in small local markets and must also take care of all the steps, from sourcing their raw materials to sales.

We guarantee that the products are made in a good groove!