Our Impact
We are on a mission to help people buy less and buy better. This means considering the social and environmental costs of a product before we buy it. We are proud to be championing slow production and will continue to limit our impact on the natural world whilst doing our best for people and planet.
Schools
With profits from our sales we have built two schools and provided education for some 350 children. We waved 'goodbye' to our first school, and namesake Bushbells in 2014. And we started building Bluebells school in 2016.
Katana, the first child we ever sponsored, started at international university in Nairobi in 2019 and he is now in his last year of study.
Providing Bursaries
Through your purchases we pledge to pay for the education of 25 children every year at Bluebells School. Coming from the most difficult circumstances, they are chosen by our principal Mwana.
Our partner Holding Hands Africa coordinate additional sponsorship for children at Bluebells. If you wish to sponsor a child, please contact them here.
Books
The children all love to read and a portion of our funding, plus kind donations, help us update our books. This is vital in keeping the pupils on target with the national curriculum as books are the only resource they have to keep their learning on track and current.
As of October 2024, and thanks to the help of SO MANY, we've just opened up a magnificent library.
Breakfast Club
Our breakfast club provides essential nutrition through a daily mug of posho for some 160 students, and encourages attendance at school. The knowledge that a daily mug of porridge is available leads to improved school attendance which in turn, improves a child's learning and school outcomes, offering considerably more opportunities for an adult life free from poverty.
Trees and the Environment
To date, 52 trees have been planted around the school compound. We also work with the Local Ocean Trust and Watamu Marine Association to help educate and contribute to local conservation efforts.
In addition, Bluebells School boasts its own 'shamba' where vegetables are grown for the children, and they all taught basic land husbandry.
Updates Coming Soon
Employment
Bushbells provides secure ongoing employment and stability for our 5 tailors and their families. Bushbells has also been able to support the education of their children. That’s why we're proud to say we know who made our clothes.
Enoch’s Leather Workshop
In 2016 Enoch’s leather workshop was rebuilt and made secure and dry, thanks to Bushbells funding.
Enoch has been a friend for over 25 years, and very sadly, he died suddenly in October 2023 following a very nasty leg break. His team continue to make our keyrings and glasses chains, and we pay for the education of his two children.
Plastic Patrol
Educating the children about our planet and our oceans is a big part of our work. This includes our annual beach clean with our Bushbells community to celebrate World Ocean’s Day.