Soapstone Artisan - Paulene Ntombura, Kenya, Africa - 11/23/08

An amazing woman in Kenya, Pauline Ntombura, is the inspiration behind these wonderful soapstone products.  Pauline grew up as the daughter of a tribal chief in the village of Kisii in southwest Kenya.  Bucking the tradition that women stay in the home, Pauline obtained her education.  Later she established a soapstone workshop which now employs more than 800 people (about 50% are women).

Pauline is paid Fair Trade Wages and, in turn, Pauline pays her artisans fair wages so they can afford decent housing, education for their children and basic healthcare.

The local people who own soapstone land actually live on it - their houses are next to the pits and they are paid by the kilo for the soapstone that is removed.  Their property is very valuable, so the houses stay within the families, and the people are very motivated to keep the land in good condition.  The African villagers retain the entire fill, so when they have extracted teh soapstone, they refill the pit.  After 5 - 10 years the soapstone begins to re-form, so new soapstone becomes available.

In general, the men do the mining, carving and painting, and the women do the sanding, polishing, washing and packing.

Pauline and the Kenyan artisans thank you for your support and interest in their soapstone creations - hearts, animals, boxes, dishes and candle holders.