My name is Billy Miaron, a documentary photographer and visual storyteller raised in the Amboseli ecosystem.  I’ve spent much of my career capturing the harsh but beautiful landscapes of Kajiado County. My lens has witnessed both the struggle and the hope that defines life in this region, especially among its women. Today, I want to share a visual journey of the inspiring story of the Empower Her Craft project. It is a community-based approach to economically empower women and promote climate resilience. The project is a collaboration between HnH Kenya, Afrikapu, and the US Embassy in Kenya, aimed at transforming the lives of women in the Amboseli region.

A Region in Crisis

Kajiado, like much of Kenya’s arid and semi-arid lands, has borne the brunt of severe climate change. Between 2020 and 2022, failed rains and devastating droughts killed millions of livestock, stripping communities of their primary source of income. Just as people were grappling with these losses, the region was hit by intense rains and flash floods brought on by the El Niño phenomenon. These back-to-back climate events have left many families economically crippled, with women bearing the greatest burden of this crisis.

But amidst these struggles lies a profound resilience.

Crafting a Sustainable Future

The women of Amboseli are more than just survivors of these climate disasters; they are artisans, and custodians of a rich cultural heritage expressed through beadwork. Traditionally viewed as a hobby or cultural practice, beadwork has now emerged as a potential lifeline for many women. The Empower Her Craft project is a direct response to this untapped potential.

Through my camera, I’ve had the privilege of visually documenting the project’s progress, capturing the transformation of the women participating. Over six months, these 150 women are receiving training not only in beadwork but also in financial literacy and digital skills—crucial tools to help them turn their craft into sustainable businesses.

A Personal Reflection

For me, photography is about visual storytelling, and the story of Empower Her Craft is one of hope in the face of adversity. Each image I’ve taken reveals a moment of learning, empowerment, or connection. From the concentrated faces of women learning digital skills on tablets to the vibrant beads glinting in the sun as they work on intricate designs, every frame tells a tale of possibility.

This project is not just about economic empowerment. It is about restoring dignity and confidence to women who’ve been marginalized by poverty, illiteracy, and climate disasters. It’s about resilience—both environmental and human.

The Road Ahead

As the project continues, I hope my photographs will inspire more people to support initiatives like Empower Her Craft. Projects that offer sustainable solutions to climate and economic crises. More importantly, I hope to share the stories of these resilient women with a broader audience, celebrating their journey toward independence and self-sufficiency.

Through this initiative, I have learned that empowerment is not just about skill-building—it is about restoring hope, identity, and purpose. I encourage you to follow my visual journey and the stories I capture on my website as I continue to document the Empower Her Craft project and the lives it touches.

By Billy Miaron