Quick Info

Business Description

Faiya Cultural Women group is involved in production of handicraft products from livestock bones and horns. The group was registered in the year 2009 and has since been in operation.

Problem/Solution

Slaughterhouses usually experience a challenge in disposing bones left after slaughtering the livestock. There is therefore a need; especially in areas where there are large abattoirs, to properly manage the constant piling of bones. In Isiolo County, a group of elderly women is taking advantage of the availability of bones to add value and create usable, marketable and unique products.

Products/Service

Faiya Cultural produces ornaments from waste bones and horns. The range of products include; key holders, bracelets, necklaces, earrings, horn cups, name badges, desk organizers, and curtain holders among others. They are designed to form different shapes, sizes and designs to fit meet the customer needs. The products are unique, affordable and are of high quality.

Market

The raw materials: bones and horns are readily available as there are many slaughterhouses in Isiolo and the neighbouring counties. This provides the initiative with an opportunity to take advantage of. In the near future. Faiya Cultural will construct a warehouse to keep the raw materials just to ensure that it does not run out. The affordability of the raw materials is also a very huge opportunity since it minimises the production costs.

Competitive Landscape

The potential local and global market is huge and ready for such products as people are interested in unique and quality ornaments which are relatively affordable. The relatively affordable prices (from KES. 50) and the durability of the ornaments make them highly marketable. With fashion and trends arising each day, so there is demand for accessories. Proper product refinement and testing are however needed in order to penetrate the international market. This is ongoing

Business Model and Distribution Channels

The prices range from KES 50

Traction to Date

Though bones are biodegradable, they take so many years before they can decompose. Therefore, from an environment where slaughtering is common, they become excess and even disposal lands are cannot handle. Therefore recycling of the bones becomes a solution of waste management. There has been job creation and provision of income. This in turn has helped meeting the needs of the women and ultimately improved their livelihood.