A five-day training for 100 women from two Ushanga cooperative societies, an initiative that aims at turning beadwork, a traditionally decorative venture, into an income generating business, is underway in Baringo County. Six of the 70 women who were trained in 2003, have had the opportunity to pitch for their decorative materials in Dubai, UAE.

Mrs. Hanna Wendot Cheptumo, the Cabinet Secretary for Gender, Culture and Arts, who presided over the beadwork training at Kabarnet Social Hall, hailed the transformative opportunities the trainings represent. She told the women groups that the training they receive is more than just a workshop. It is a bridge to opportunity, a pathway to economic independence, and a celebration of the talent that resides in the hands of Kenyan women. Mrs Cheptumo thanked the County Government of Baringo for supporting women groups, who are often vulnerable.

The Deputy Governor of Baringo, Eng Felix Maiyo, revealed that Baringo County will provide and exhibition stand at the annual Kimalel Goat Auction for women to sell their beadwork. He said the Ushanga initiative hugely supports the Baringo Great Rift Valley Geopark initiative, who critical pillar is the development of cultural heritage. Eng Maiyo urged women to join cooperative societies so as to benefit from the economic scale of doing business and to access government funding.

The women groups were urged to register and patent their creative work.