LEWOCO (Lower Eastern Women Cooperative Society)

LEWOCO, formed in 2022, is a women-led cooperative uniting nearly 2,000 artisans from the Machakos region, supporting them across different value chains. However, it primarily produces and markets traditional handicrafts, such as woven sisal goods. The cooperative is crucial in preserving cultural heritage while providing economic opportunities for women in rural areas. By organizing these artisans under one umbrella, LEWOCO aims to enhance its market reach and income.

During the nano stage, LEWOCO partnered with ByHand Consulting to develop a new mini-collection of sisal baskets, create a high-quality digital catalog, and launch a promotional campaign targeting previous international buyers. Despite the effort, the campaign did not generate new orders, revealing LEWOCO’s challenges in effectively marketing and scaling their products. While the women’s group proved capable of producing high-standard designs, it became clear that LEWOCO lacks the capacity to conduct the marketing needed to secure the volume of orders required to significantly impact its members’ incomes.