Made of recycled copper and steel wire in Kisumu, Kenya, the bicycle jewelry represents the most common mode of transportation in Western Kenya. The bicycle is approximately 2 inches long with a safety pin closure. Called "boda boda" by the locals, bicycles are used as public transportation (you ride on a padded rack on the back) and are named for the bikes used to transport people across the border between Uganda and Kenya -- from border to border. Creative Alternatives works with marginalized producers in rural and urban areas of Kenya. The producers take pride in the product ideas they are able to develop and market through Creative Alternatives. The producers are self employed men and women, largely young and middle aged, who have failed to get formal employment. They have thus had to seek employment in the jua kali (which translates into hot sun in the Swahili language) sector. They work in groups, small family owned businesses or as individuals.
