Sian is from the UK and is the Founder of Kitenge Store. Her background is in fashion and textiles and she fell in love with Tanzania after volunteering for a youth-led development charity in 2013. She is in charge of sales and marketing. In her spare time, Sian enjoys spending time with friends and family as well as doing yoga and learning Swahili.
Zero is from the Chagga tribe, from Mount Kilimanjaro. He is Kitenge Store’s Production Manager in charge of quality control and the shipping of orders. Zero has a great working relationship with our tailors and helped Sian to set up the business in 2014. In his spare time, Zero likes to spend time with his relatives and enjoys playing the guitar.
Abdallah is from the Nyasa tribe in Malawi. His parents moved to Tanzania before he was born. He is Kitenge Store’s master tailor, with more than 35 years of experience, and was taught by his uncle. Since working with Kitenge in 2015, Abdallah has purchased several new sewing machines and opened his own workshop. He has also trained and employed several apprentices including Mrisho and Hassan.
Mrisho is from the Zaramo tribe. He was taught how to sew by Abdallah and has more than 20 years of experience. When Abdallah opened his new workshop in Dar es Salaam in May 2016 he invited Mrisho to come and work with him. Mrisho specialises in womenswear but can make any item of clothing. In his spare time, he likes to support Manchester United and his local team Yanga Football Club.
Hassan became a qualified tailor in 2012 after being taught by Abdallah. Hassan owns his own workshop, which he built himself in the north of Tanzania and employs his own apprentice. He joins Abdallah when he needs additional help. Hassan has created Kitenge Store clothing since we met him in 2015 and is a valuable member of the team.
Titus learnt to become a tailor in 1987 after studying at a college in Zambia. He has been running his own business in Tanzania for more than 30 years and employs 4 other tailors who work together as a team. In order to grow his business he would like to move to a larger workshop and invest in more equipment.
Emile is from the Fipa tribe. He has been working as a menswear tailor since 2010 and learnt to sew from a friend. His favourite garments to make are shirts, jackets and trousers. In his spare time, he enjoys watching football especially Arsenal, Barcelona and local team Simba. He also likes to watch movies.
Denis is from the Muha tribe. He has more than 15 years of tailoring experience and learnt how to sew from his older brother. He specialises in menswear and enjoys making shirts and trousers. In his spare time, he likes to watch football, especially Chelsea and local team Simba, as well as watching action movies.
Betty is from the Pare tribe. She taught herself how to sew by watching YouTube videos. After Betty graduated from university in 2013, she set up her own business from home where she has her own workshop. Betty employs 6 staff members (mainly women) and built a larger workshop to expand her business in 2017.
Issa is from the Nyaramba tribe. He started his own business in 2015 making unique, colourful bags and accessories. Issa was taught how to sew by his friend. He works at his own workshop, which he built near his home. In his spare time, he enjoys playing checkers and swimming in the ocean.
Sign up to get 10% off your first order!
