Philanthropy

As a woman-founded Kenyan brand, we believe in the quiet, transformative power of women supporting women. This belief led us to partner with the Maisha Foundation in Kibera, a safe and nurturing space for women navigating difficult circumstances, including young mothers, women who have left school and those rebuilding their lives without stable homes.

Alongside care and shelter, Maisha offers practical skills that can help women move towards greater independence. Through its sewing programme, women handcraft the fabric pouches that accompany our jewellery, turning fabric, thread and time into a source of purpose and paid work. By commissioning these pouches, we help create a market for their sewing skills and ensure that every Suhani Mara piece carries a story that reaches far beyond the jewellery itself.

Our packaging reflects the values at the heart of our brand. Each hand-sewn Maisha pouch is paired with plantable, biodegradable packaging made with amaranth seeds. Designed to be planted rather than discarded, it offers a small, tangible alternative to packaging that would otherwise become waste, bringing together care for people and care for the natural world.

This partnership is about more than sourcing packaging. It is about recognising talent, creating opportunities to practise and earn through skilled work and honouring the women whose hands bring each pouch to life. It forms a circle of support: the women who sew, the women who wear our jewellery and the women whose purchases help sustain this work.

When you choose a Suhani Mara piece, you step into that circle. Your purchase helps sustain paid sewing opportunities through our partnership with Maisha, supports handcrafted jewellery made in Kenya and contributes to packaging designed with a lighter footprint in mind. In this way, choosing a piece becomes more than a personal act; it becomes a practical expression of solidarity with women building confidence, developing skills and creating new possibilities for themselves.

Because empowerment is not simply something we speak about. It is something we choose to take part in, one woman, one opportunity and one beautifully made piece at a time.

At Suhani Mara, we believe creativity can provide connection, self-expression and moments of happiness, even during life’s most difficult journeys.

We were honoured to spend an afternoon with children supported by Hope for Cancer Kids Kenya, a non-profit organisation that helps children and families affected by childhood cancer access treatment and receive essential practical, nutritional and emotional support.

As part of the organisation’s Art Therapy Thursdays at Kenyatta National Hospital, we introduced the children to the colourful art of beading. The room quickly filled with laughter, curiosity and little hands carefully selecting beads as bracelets and necklaces began to take shape.

Each child chose colours and combinations that held a personal meaning. Some creations were made for the children themselves, while others were lovingly created for family members and people close to their hearts. Every finished piece carried its own story, something personal to wear, treasure or give to someone they loved.

Alongside the creative workshop, Suhani Mara donated food and drinks for the children. We also shared our time, listened to their stories and enjoyed creating alongside them.

Every child was facing their own individual challenge, yet their courage, enthusiasm and beautiful smiles shone throughout the afternoon. They reminded us that creativity can be much more than a distraction: it can nurture confidence, encourage expression and allow a child to experience the simple joy of being a child.

We loved being involved and witnessing the pride with which each child wore or gifted their creation. It was an afternoon that remained with us and reaffirmed our belief that giving is not only about donating resources, it is also about offering our time, our skills and our presence.

We are deeply grateful to Hope for Cancer Kids Kenya for welcoming us and for the vital work they continue to do for children and families across Kenya.

How You Can Help

Hope for Cancer Kids welcomes support from individuals, businesses and organisations wishing to help children and families affected by childhood cancer in Kenya. Contributions help the organisation provide access to treatment, medical tests, transport, accommodation, nutrition and psychosocial support.

You can assist by donating, volunteering, creating awareness or discussing a partnership directly with the organisation.

Donate via M-PESA

• Paybill: 511100
• Account: HCK/Your Name

Contact Hope for Cancer Kids

• Telephone: +254 790 749 383
• Email: info@hope4cancerkids.org
• Website: www.hope4cancerkids.org

Every contribution, whether through funds, resources, professional assistance or time, can help create greater access to care and remind children and their families that they are not facing their journey alone.