I could tell you how beautiful these Upcycled Bottle Top Bracelets are, but you can already see that. I could mention how well crafted they are; how each piece is unique; how your friends will eye it with curiosity; I could also dwell on how incredulous people are when you tell them they are made from upcycled bottle tops. Bottle tops! You know that these pieces have a high intrinsic desirability about them regardless of their story. Yet, the story is worth telling. Why? Because here is a really classic example of how you can look good, feel good and do good all at the same time. Your purchase has the power to make a life changing difference. Made using recycled bottle tops this elasticated bracelet is truly unique. Made by a remarkable and inspiring youth employment workshop: Zakale Creations. Zakale Zakale Creations is a Project located in Huruma, which is part of Mathare, Nairobi. The slum population is approx. 8,000 with a very high unemployment rate (approx. 80%). The people who live here have many challenges, such as: poor housing, lack of basic facilities, including water and roads; and lack of even rudimentary education. The ‘drop out’ from Primary School is very high and only a very few even complete their Primary School education. Zakale is making a difference. Already more than10 people trained at Zakale are now independent craftsmen and women, making and selling their wares at local markets. Their recycled range also employs others outside of the workshop, who collect and clean bottle tops, wire, tin cans and old cooking pots to be transformed into beautiful jewellery. These people need us to buy these beautiful products made from the otherwise waste materials they have collected. Imagine you could be wearing a bracelet crafted by artisans whose lives have been transformed. Specifications Made in Nairobi, Kenya Made of upcycled aluminium cooking pots and wire. Elasticated Story Zuri Design was started 17 years ago by Helen Scanlan, who worked in Kenya and Uganda as a volunteer over a number of years. Helen saw the opportunity to alleviate poverty through the trade of handmade gifts and jewellery. Once set up as a wholesaler, Zuri Design financed a start- up workshop in Kibera slum, employing and training former street boys. Since then, Zuri Design orders have created work for more than 200 men and women in Kenya and Uganda, within over 10 workshops. Working so closely with people from slums in Kenya, means Helen has witnessed first-hand the hardship of living in poverty and the positive impact Zuri Design has within the communities, providing them with livelihoods so people can work their way out of the cycle of poverty. By ordering Zuri Design’s unique products you help to change lives, directly. Read More