Vital Voices is saddened to learn about the passing of our dear friend and colleague, Caroline Monda – wife, mother, and accomplished entrepreneur. An established and widely respected Kenyan designer and businesswoman, Caroline Monda represented the best of her country: poised beauty, strength of character and astounding creativity.
She was the Founding Chair of the Kenya Bead Society, and also served as Vice Chair and Founding Secretary of the Federation of Entrepreneurship Associations of Kenya. Through her efforts with various local and international organizations, she helped build the capacity of businesswomen, grow and expand their business and improve the economic status of women entrepreneurs throughout the continent of Africa. She has received international recognition and awards for her work and dedication which include: the national winner of the TraidCraft, U.K. Competition on Improvement of Crafts and the East African winner of Training of Trainers Best Export Marketing Plan and Training Modules.
In 2009, Caroline Monda participated in the Vital Voices Entrepreneurs in Handcrafts training workshop. Relying on her exceptional business and product development skills, she expanded her business and built the capacity of her employees. She then joined Vital Voices in Kampala, Uganda as a member of the Kenya Association of Women Business Owners delegation for the 2011 ‘Entrepreneurs in Handcrafts Training of Trainers program,’ with the hope of continuing her work with small-medium enterprises to promote business growth among women entrepreneurs across Kenya.
At Vital Voices, we will miss Caroline Monda’s enthusiasm and strength, and will cherish the joy and passion for women that she generously shared with us. We join her friends and family in mourning the untimely loss of one of the Kenya’s most accomplished and inspirational leaders. We will miss her.
Visit: Federation of Women Entrepreneurs Associations (FEWA)
View: Caroline Monda’s work at Monda African Art, Ltd.
Read: A 2008 interview with Tujuane Network in Nairobi