Empowering Women. Preserving Culture. Creating Change.
At Samburu Beads Shop, every piece of jewellery tells a story. Handmade by Women in my community and Myself, our beadwork is more than art, it is independence, education, and hope.
By wearing Samburu beads, you are helping women earn their own income, girls pay school fees, and communities grow stronger through sustainable projects like our Food Forest Initiative. and Building a school in our village.
From the heart of Samburu to Europe, we bring culture, empowerment, and sustainability together, because when women thrive, communities flourish.
Join us. Wear the change.
About Me!
I am Peninah Lesorogol, founder of Samburu Beads Shop, born and raised in Naiborkeju village, Samburu County, Northern Kenya. Samburu is not only the land I call home, it is also the name of my tribe, one of Kenya’s 42 ethnic communities. The Samburu people have preserved a rich culture passed down through generations, and although I now live in Austria, my culture lives within me every single day.
Why Samburu Beads Shop?
Samburu Beads Shop was created with one purpose: to empower women and girls in the Samburu community through traditional beadwork. For generations, Samburu women have carried deep cultural knowledge yet faced limited opportunities for independence. Beadwork, an art passed down through time, has become more than cultural expression, it is a pathway to education, dignity, and financial freedom.
Through their craft, women earn their own income, and young girls gain the chance to pursue schooling, opening doors that once felt closed. Every piece tells a story of resilience, tradition, and the strength of a community working together for change.
Many of the women and young girls who create these stunning pieces use their earnings to pay school fees, support their families, and build a future of self-reliance. Education has always been a rare opportunity for girls in my village, and I was fortunate to be among those who received it. That experience showed me how life-changing education can be not just for individuals, but for entire communities. Today, I carry a responsibility to give back and to help show that educating girls is just as vital as educating boys.
Education has always been a rare opportunity for girls in my village, and I was fortunate to be among those who received it. That experience showed me how life-changing education can be—not just for individuals, but for entire communities. Today, I carry a responsibility to give back and to help show that educating girls is just as vital as educating boys.
Whenever I asked my grandmother, “Who said girls should not go to school?” she would always reply, “The first man said.” But just before she passed away at the age of 105, she entrusted me with her final words: “In 100 or 200 years, when a child asks the same question(Why do girls go to school?) she will hear that the first woman said it and that woman should be you.”
With these words, she turned history upside down reminding me that the first voice of change, the one who challenges old limits, could and should be a woman.
These words fuel my vision.
Every purchase creates meaningful impact.
When you wear our jewellery, you are celebrating the artistry and heritage of the Samburu people, supporting women in their craft, and helping communities thrive. Each piece reflects generations of skill, tradition, and creativity, while contributing to education, independence, and stronger, more inclusive communities.
