Imagine a life marked by struggle, where opportunities feel out of reach. This is the reality for many women in rural Kenya, their dreams constrained by circumstance and tradition. However, in the world of Miriam Bella, change is happening.

At Miriam Bella, we believe beautiful shoes can empower beautiful change. We craft each pair with love, supporting talented artisans and building a brighter future for the Lelmokwo community.

Our Mission: Miriam Bella is committed to creating beautiful, high-quality, handcrafted shoes and bags that empower our customers to look and feel their best while also making a positive impact in the world. We achieve this by employing and training poor women and men, and upskilling them to create beautiful shoes that reflect their passion and dedication. Our ultimate mission is to alleviate poverty through job creation, while also promoting the beauty and diversity of African culture.

Our Vision: Miriam Bella's vision is to become a leading ethical brand that empowers women and men in disadvantaged communities through job creation, training, and upskilling. We aim to make a positive impact on the community and to be recognised as a that prioritizes people and planet.

Our impact

Miriam Bella transcends fashion; it's about creating opportunities for the marginalized. We employ and uplift poor women and men in rural Kenya, providing them with skills and a chance for a brighter future.

Our impact so far:

  • Education impact: 9 daughters, previously forced out of school, are now back in classrooms, their futures gleaming with potential, thanks to their mothers' newfound independence.
  • Skills training: 23 individuals, including 16 women and 7 men, have gained meaningful employment, mastering the art of leathercraft and shoe assembly, their confidence blooming with each stitch.
  • Homes transformed: Improved dwellings reflect the impact of women empowered to manage household finances. They're not just surviving, but thriving. This newfound stability has sparked a spirit of collaboration. The women have formed a cooperative, pooling their surplus funds to invest in livestock and planting more vegetables for their families. 
  • Gender norms crumbling: Stereotypes fading as female artisans become role models, owning their success and shaping the next generation. Miriam Bella has trained and employed 5 women shoemakers.

  • Brenda, Emily and Jepchumba, our talented beaders

  • Brenda with her family

  • With her income, Emily has been able to invest in livestock (seen here with her sheep and goats).