Amani ya Juu, meaning “Peace from Above” in Swahili, is a social enterprise in Nairobi, Kenya that empowers refugee women and women from marginalized communities by creating sustainable economic opportunities through skills training in sewing, design, and business management. Rooted in fair trade principles, the organization supports artisans to earn fair wages while producing high-quality, handmade textiles.

Beyond income generation, Amani ya Juu is a community-led space for creativity, cross-cultural exchange, and reconciliation, where women build skills, confidence, and long-term livelihoods for themselves and their families.

About the Experience

Travellers are welcomed by an Amani ya Juu artisan, who leads a guided visit through the production centre and shares the process behind the enterprise’s handcrafted textiles. The experience offers a behind-the-scenes look at each stage of production, from fabric cutting and sewing to tie-dyeing and finishing, highlighting the skill, creativity, and craftsmanship involved.

Throughout the visit, artisans share stories about their work, the cooperative model, and what Amani ya Juu means to them. The experience concludes with a meal at the on-site café and time to explore the shop, where travellers can purchase handmade products directly from the artisans.

Impact

When travellers visit Amani ya Juu’s café and workshops, they support a women-led social enterprise that creates income through design, craftsmanship, and community tourism. The women at Amani ya Juu build skills, earn a living, and shape their own pathways to economic independence.

Many of the women come from informal settlements and regions with limited job opportunities, and the work they do at Amani ya Juu helps strengthen both household income and long-term stability for their families.

Through Amani ya Juu’s Watoto Sponsorship initiative, families can also access education support for their children, from primary school through high school and beyond. Hundreds of children have taken part in the program, helping expand opportunities across generations.

Why Supporting Them Matters

Kenya has long been a place of refuge for women seeking safety and stability. Amani ya Juu provides a supportive community where these women can rebuild their lives through entrepreneurship and fair trade.

By offering training in textiles and sewing, the organization equips women with valuable craftsmanship skills, allowing them to create unique handicrafts that celebrate their diverse cultural heritage. This not only serves as a form of self-expression but also provides a sustainable source of income to support their families.

Our Involvement

Planeterra partnered with the women of Amani ya Juu to support the growth of their handicraft and training initiative. 

Together, we worked with our travel partner, G Adventures, to bring Amani ya Juu’s handcrafted textile experience into their itineraries. This has helped the enterprise reach a global audience, enabling artisans to share their work and strengthen the long-term viability of the business. 

Through this partnership, women continue building livelihoods, community, and opportunity on their own terms.