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Urban Change Lab

Your idea - ethically custom made

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about us

About us

We believe that custom made directly from an artisan has the potential to change the way we live together, the way we use resources, and the way we consume. Our process of direct collaboration between client and artisan leads to a fair and ethical exchange of knowledge, ideas, and ultimately a beautiful, long-lasting product. You’ll love what you get…

Urban Change Lab Team

The Artisans

Avatar photo Sandra Ingabire
Avatar photo Ziadi Nsabimana
Avatar photo Jeremy Nsabiyumva
Avatar photo Claude Mwenedata
Avatar photo Keziah Wanyoike
Avatar photo Wanjiru Njenga
Avatar photo Paul Kiarie
Avatar photo Brigid Momanyi
Avatar photo Alburn Mutisya
Avatar photo Ryan Onyango
Avatar photo Phineahs M
Avatar photo Magreth John
Avatar photo Yvonne Sirali
Avatar photo Corrine Nzoka
Avatar photo Wanjiru Kimeria
Avatar photo Claudia Kimani
Avatar photo Evelyne Wanjiku
Avatar photo Fatma Bashir
Avatar photo Hannah Njenga
Test Craftsman
Avatar photo Melissa Adoyo
Avatar photo Allan Ochieng
Avatar photo Gabriel Ogombo
Avatar photo Appelles Adhiambo Kireru
Avatar photo Bella Naliaka
Avatar photo Lucas Odima
Avatar photo Benter Otieno
Avatar photo Caleb Nyakaba
Avatar photo Cecilia Kimani
Avatar photo Cosmas Wambua Mumo
Avatar photo Stella Gikonyo
Avatar photo Absolom Dube
Avatar photo Emily Omondi
Avatar photo Esther Oriku
Avatar photo Grace Naitiemu Nyanjom
Avatar photo Grace Mbugua
Avatar photo Khadija van Horn
Avatar photo Joan Ongige
Avatar photo Joanne Waithaka
Avatar photo Peter Kagwi
Avatar photo Cathychristine Keya
Avatar photo Humphrey Obell
Avatar photo Lucille Nyikuri
Avatar photo Lulu Oniang'o
Avatar photo Marion Munga
Avatar photo Nyokabi Mary
Avatar photo Margaret Muna
Avatar photo Michael Ndichu
Avatar photo Moureen Kerubo
Avatar photo Martin Musyoka
Avatar photo Naftal Mageto Momanyi
Avatar photo Nathanael Mugambi Nyaga
Avatar photo Neema Buyu
Avatar photo Brian Ng'aru
Avatar photo Nkatha Karauri
Avatar photo Nyakiige Ndugu
Avatar photo Nyambura Irungu
Avatar photo Nyambura Beatrice Wahu
Avatar photo Olivia Mutai
Avatar photo Omondi Oscar Onjara
Avatar photo Daniel Sibindi
Avatar photo Richard Shields Okoth
Avatar photo Robinson Njoroge
Avatar photo Serah Mugweru
Avatar photo Herman Gathege
Avatar photo Stephen Odhiambo
Avatar photo Teddy Ngando Njeri
Avatar photo John Kamau
Avatar photo Victor Amukoya
Avatar photo Knight Kerubo Abenga
Avatar photo Jackie Ing'airu - Elsworth
Avatar photo Virginia Kariuki
Avatar photo Elizabeth Amponsah

The Leadership Team

Avatar photo Jochen Baumeister Jochen is the founder of the Urban Change Lab. He is a serial entrepreneur and consultant with more than 20 years experience. He has an degree in urban planning from the University of Dortmund. Furthermore he in an educated craftsman in electronics. This contributes to a better understanding of the challenges the local artisans working for us face. Jochen is married to a Kenyan medical doctor who brought him closer to Kenyan society.
Avatar photo Vicky Achieng Victoria is a graduate mechanical engineer from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology. She is enthusiastic about green energy and is currently working as entrepreneur within the Urban Change Lab on a solar water heating project with the aim of offering a solution to the surging costs of unsustainable energy by significantly lowering water heating bills. Vicky is supporting in local operations of our platform as well.

The Advisory Board

Archana GollaArchana Golla (Berlin, Germany)

Archana Golla is a psychoanalyst based in Berlin. Processes around “encounters at eye level”, especially in the context of different skin colours, have shaped her work since 2012, mentioned in the publication “From segregation and assimilation to a multicultural society“. In the Urban Change Lab, she pays attention to the places where power disparities unconsciously arise from internalised whiteness and internalised serventality. The conscious confrontation with internalised racism can provide the craftsmen and women with negotiating skills, the client with a broader perspective, the team with an emancipatory (learning from mistakes and avoiding them) approach and a step towards a more socially equal world.
Archana’s profile at ResearchGate

Michael BenfieldProf. Dr. Michael Benfield (Monmouthshire, Wales)

Michael is one of the four co-founders of the International Green Party movement & has a Doctorate in European Environmental Planning & Property Development. Born in Coventry, he ‘grew up on the tools’ as an apprentice carpenter & builder & was educated at Warwick School, Loughborough, Coventry, & Newcastle Universities. As visiting Professor of Civil & Construction Engineering Research with the University of Wales, Newport he promoted environmental ‘eco’ construction issues. He is MD of specialist timber frame engineers, Benfield ATT Group.
Michael’s profile at LinkedIn

Sina Uti-WaziriDipl.-Ing. Sina Uti-Waziri (Abuja, Nigeria)

Sina works for the German Development Cooperation and is currently stationed in Nigeria, working as an advisor in the area of Good Financial Governance. Prior to that she was with GIZ in Nigeria supporting the Nigerian Government in improving the Business Enabling Environment and supporting Local Economic Development. Like Jochen she holds a degree in Urban Planning and a post graduate degree in international development cooperation from the SLE in Berlin.
Sina’s profile at LinkedIn

Valerie BaumeisterValerie Baumeister (Medical doctor, Berlin)

Valerie Baumeister is a medical doctor in neurology, educated and practicing in Berlin, Germany. She grew up in Nairobi, Kenya. Driven by the interactions between traders and customers, she understands the benefits of fair trading and the resultant advantages in terms of quality for the customers and the profit for the craftsmen. Her market experience with the arts market in Kenya has helped bring a particular insight into the day to day interaction between customers and craftsmen. She acts as the sounding board to avoid falling into the “Danger of a single story” on a day to day consultancy with Jochen.
Valerie’s profile at LinkedIn

Custom made for our clients

custom made wallet saddle leather quality

custom made wallet saddle leather quality

Custom made cutlery tray. Length: 37,4 cm. Width: 71 cm

Custom made cutlery tray. Length: 37,4 cm. Width: 71 cm

custom made cutlery drawer acording to photo

custom made cutlery drawer acording to photo

custom made tray 55x55cm with 4cm high edge

custom made tray 55x55cm with 4cm high edge

custom made leather card case

custom made leather card case

Custom made unisex Satchel bag

Custom made unisex Satchel bag

The Urban Change Lab helps you to realize your ideas for hand-crafted items. Your concept will be crafted by an artisan in Africa (e.g. Kenya, Ghana or Rwanda). If you like, you can establish contact with your artisan in the process. A positive side-effect of Read More…

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