From Skills to Success: Tasbix VSLA Women Transform Tie-and-Dye Business in Mandera
In the busy township areas of Mandera town, a group of determined women are transforming creativity into income and opportunity. Tasbix Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) is made up of 10 business groups with a total of 30 members from the local community. By coming together under the Tasbix VSLA, the women support one another through savings, small loans, and collective business initiatives aimed at improving their livelihoods.
In search of a sustainable source of income, the group decided to venture into a tie-and-dye women’s clothing business, an idea that has quickly grown into a profitable enterprise for its members. What started as a small initiative among friends and neighbors is now becoming a thriving local business.
The idea originated from one of the members, Shaqara Abdullahi, who revealed that she had previously learned tie-and-dye skills while living in Dadaab Refugee Camp. Her story immediately sparked interest among the other women in the group.
“We were very impressed when Shaqara told us about her training,” recalls one member of the group. “We realized this was a skill that could help us earn a living. We asked her to train us, even if we had to contribute a small fee, because we believed it could become a good business for all of us.”
Shaqara agreed and trained the other members during the first few days, sharing the techniques she had learned. With time, the group gained confidence and began producing their own colorful fabrics. Today, the women work together in every stage of the business—from purchasing plain garments from local clothing suppliers to producing and selling beautifully designed tie-and-dye clothes.
The process requires teamwork, patience, and creativity. The women carefully tie sections of the fabric before soaking it in a mixture of salt, hot water, and dye for several hours. Once the fabric is rinsed and the knots are untied, unique and vibrant patterns appear on the cloth. The garments are then hung out to dry under the sun, revealing beautiful designs that attract customers in the local markets.
To keep production consistent, the group purchases plain clothes in bulk at around Ksh 2,000 per piece. After the tie-and-dye process, each garment is sold for approximately Ksh 4,000. After covering the costs of materials and production, the group earns about Ksh 1,000 in net profit per garment.
The business has grown steadily. Each month, the women can produce up to 200 garments, generating about Ksh 200,000 in profit. The income is shared among the 30 members, helping them support their families, pay school fees, and meet daily household needs.
Through the VSLA model, part of the earnings is also saved within the group. These savings allow members to access small loans without interest, which they can use to start additional businesses or handle urgent family needs. Each month, a group of 10 members receives loans, ensuring that everyone eventually benefits from the savings cycle.
For many members, the business has brought renewed hope and confidence.
“Before this, many of us depended only on small casual work or support from our families,” says Shaqara Abdullahi. “Now we have a skill and a business that allows us to earn our own income. We feel proud because we are supporting our families and building something together.”
The success of the Tasbix VSLA tie-and-dye business highlights the power of community collaboration, shared knowledge, and women’s entrepreneurship. By building on the skills within their own group and working together, these women are not only improving their livelihoods but also inspiring other women in Mandera to explore new economic opportunities.