Second stop on Wednesday was the Kazuri Bead Factory. This factory employs about 340 people, mostly single mothers. It is located in a suburb of Nairobi, approximately 20 minute drive from the mission home. (Sorry that is the only way I can describe the location – I have no idea where north and south are here). We were given a guided tour of each stage of the production process starting with the refining of the clay to the forming of the beads then to the firing and glazing. Each bead is hand made. I was amazed at the uniformity and beauty of each bead. The women sat around large tables, slowly (according to American standards) forming each bead. We were able to watch the women work for a short time. A few men were making pottery pieces in a separate room. Salary at this factory is minimal, about 700 Kenyan schillings/week ($12) and medical insurance (that is huge here). At the entrance of the Factory is a small store where the necklaces, bracelets, earrings and pottery can be purchased. We did buy some beautiful pieces there for about $15 - $20 each. Kazuri beads can be found around the world in expensive department stores. They say that in the USA a Kazuri necklace runs about $80.