SOKO is a clothing manufacturing unit based in Rukinga Wildlife Sanctuary in Kenya. SOKO was set up in 2009 by Joanna Maiden whose vision it was to provide the fashion industry with a manufacturing unit with social and environmental issues at the heart of its business. Our goal has always been to… read more prove that it is possible to run a self-sustaining manufacturing business whilst having social and environmental principles at its core – paying fair wages, providing needed social services, a pleasant place of work and a commitment to limit its environmental impact. The area where we are based has the highest unemployment rate in the country. It also has a high rate of prostitution, HIV/AIDS and wildlife poaching. We offer people an alternative means of making a living. Through training and employment we have enabled women to take control of their own lives. Through having their own income these women cover the costs of sending their children to school, provide nutritious meals for the family and make decisions on how they spend their money – it allows them to lift themselves out of poverty.