About
Kila Siku – meaning “Every Day” in Swahili – is a luxury embroidery project based in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda that empowers African women by providing a critical income to support their families. Over 70 ladies in Africa embroider tailor-made Belgian linens, working in family-friendly, spacious workshops in the cities of Goma (DRC) and Kigali (Rwanda). The linens that they produce, including bed linen, towels, washbags and cushion covers are sold in situ, at private sales events in Europe and the US, and online exclusively through www.kilasiku.com.
How did we start?
In 2002 a group of 7 women (Anne-Marie, Kave, Espe, Jeanette, Marianne, Emma and Vicky) and Theodore, the head tailor for the project in DRC, approached Nicole about utilising their embroidery skills to earn an income. A deadly volcano had just erupted swallowing the city of Goma, and the war continued to rage in the east of the country. The ladies – who still all form part of Kila Siku today – and Theodore knew what they wanted to achieve, but needed help to attain their goal. Nicole – who was already living in Goma with her family and was the local representative of Belgian NGO En Avant les Enfants – decided to lend a hand. She enlisted the help of Isabelle and Manuela, who were both seeking to get involved in an entrepreneurial and creative womens’ project.
Supporting over 300 individuals
Today Kila Siku, which began in Nicole’s back yard in Goma, has grown from 7 to 40+ female embroiderers in DRC, and to 30+ embroiderers in Rwanda (who came on board in 2007). Each embroiderer supports between 6 and 10 people, including their children, which means that Kila Siku sustains over 500 individuals in DRC and Rwanda. Kila Siku turned over €112,000 ($150,000) in 2010, of which €38,000 ($50,000) was profit. The project has received invaluable assistance from partner organizations who have funded the purchase of the land for the workshop and construction of the workshop itself, among other things. Importantly, the project is self-sustaining, thanks to the Kila Siku sales network and supporting partners.
Profits invested in social projects
The profits are reinvested in the project in their entirety and have served to fund education, housing and family planning for the embroiderers and tailors. For example, Giselle was able to complete her primary education thanks to Kila Siku funding; the 8 individuals who started the project have all received interest-free $3,000 loans for their homes; and a pension fund has been set up to benefit the team. You can read more about Your Impact here.
Kila Siku – Congo and beyond…
Kila Siku has also branched out to provide a framework to other talented men and women who wish to embroider luxury linens. In Madagascar the Kila Siku team have leant their expertise to a group of women who embroider night dresses and napkins. Ultimately Kila Siku aims to become a platform for products created by African women using traditional methods that can be used by other women around the globe.
- Kila Siku has been possible thanks to the vision and skill of a group of Congolese men and women.
- Kila Siku has been achievable thanks to the creativity and expertise of Nicole, Isabelle and Manuela.
- Kila Siku has been financially feasible thanks to the teams of volunteers who organize private sales across the globe and the partners who have shared Kila Siku’s vision.
- Kila Siku has been successful thanks to you, who purchase the Kila Siku luxury embroidered Belgian linens.
The Kila Siku Team
To read more about why Kila Siku was started please click here.
To see more photos of the Kila Siku team and the tailor-made articles made by African women please visit our Flickr page, or follow us on Facebook and keep up to date with our projects on the ground.