Patrick Anching'a, Carver

Kisii, a city in western Kenya near Lake Victoria, is surrounded by soapstone quarries and is well-known both for the quality of its soapstone and the skill of its carvers. Nyamarambe, a small village near Kisii, is the home of the 150 member Nyabigena Carvers Cooperative. This civic-minded cooperative has been providing work for its members while also giving back to its community.  The cooperative has sponsored a women's literacy program, HIV/AIDS awareness, a program which supports school dropouts, and has dug two wells which are providing clean water and saving women from making long walks to gather water.

A source of great pride for the cooperative is the elementary school which opened in January 2007 and is now educating 71 students, thanks mostly to the proceeds from the sales of soapstone crafts.  The school took on 30 additional students who came from families displaced by the violence which impacted Kenya in early 2008.

"I am very happy for the orders which I get, especially from SERRV International, which has enabled me to improve the living standards of my family because we are paid promptly. I hope if our organization will be receiving prompt orders, my life and the lives of my children will change even more and more for the better."   -- Patrick Aching'a, Soapstone Carver and father of 5