EGERTON UNIVERSITY NJORO CAMPUS

FACULTY: EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY STUDIES

DEPARTMENT: APPLIED COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT STUDIES

UNIT TITLE: OUTREACH PROGRAM

UNIT CODE: AGHE414

PROJECT TITTLE: ENTREPRENEURSHIP;HOW TO MAKE WIGS FROM OLD WEAVES.

SUBMITTED TO: MADAM MARY MUTIGA

DATE OF SUBMISSION: OCTOBER 2023.

SUBMITTED BY, GROUP MEMBERS

RUTH WANJIKU E19/01206/20

ALICE ISINI E19/01191/20

PAULINE MBUVE E19/01184/20

SUSAN MATHAI E19/01175/20

Olgagei, a vibrant community is located in the heart of Rongai Subcounty in Nakuru County,Kenya.
Olgagei is known for its strong sense of community, with a supportive network of women who are eager
to embrace new opportunities for personal and collective development. The community's proximity to
Nakuru Town provides accessibility to urban resources and markets, offering opportunities for economic
growth. While the community has faced various challenges, including limited economic opportunities,
the women of Olgagei have shown remarkable resourcefulness. The needs assessment which we carried
out with a number of members of the community identified an untapped potential in recycling and wig
making as a means to generate income, promote selfsufficiency, and preserve the environment .In
response to this assessment, the project focuses on teaching women the art of creating wigs from
recycled weaves,leveraging the abundance of weaves that would otherwise go to waste. The
community's skills can be enhanced through training and workshops to ensure quality and market
competitiveness.Wig making is a craft that has gained popularity worldwide for its role in enhancing
beauty and self-expression.

By blending the art of wig making with the natural beauty and resilience of the Olgagei community, this
project seeks to create a positive impact, both economically and environmentally, while empowering
women to build a more sustainable and prosperous future.

Importance of wig making

Empowerment- wig making is skill that will be acquired thus; the women or the group
shall be able to have both the skill and knowledge thus being able to make their wigs for
consumption and also for sale. Tis will enable them to have a source of income thus
creating employment opportunities.

Affordability- wigs are less expensive compared to other hair treatments and styles thus
making wigs a better option. In addition wigs can be used multiple times which means it
does not go to waste after one use thus making it affordable to the women in the
community.

Low maintenance- wigs require low maintenance, which is another great benefit. Unlike
other hair treatments and style wigs do not require regular upkeep. You can simply wash
your wig and style it just as you would do for your natural hair and they are not affected
by environmental factors such as that it will damage your hair thus, making it cheap for
women in the community.
 Wigs are comfortable to wear- wigs tend to be of light weight and do not put any strain
in your sculp thus making it comfortable to wear and also it is easy to design it according
to your desired style. This will enable boost confidence among the women in the
community.

Protect the natural hair- wigs protects the natural hair from being damaged because it
entails zero chemicals and it does not get into contact with your sculp. It also cares for
and manage natural hair giving it ability to stich your look. This will reduce hair damage
among the women in the community thus, improving their looks.

OBJECTIVES

Skill Development: To provide community members in Rongai subcounty with the skills and knowledge
needed to transform old weaves into new wigs through a structured training and practice program.

Sustainability: To promote environmental sustainability by reducing waste and reusing materials, such as
old weaves, to create new products.

Income Generation: To empower participants in Rongai subcounty to start their own small businesses or
generate income by making and selling wigs made from old weaves.

Community Engagement: To engage the local community in a positive and productive way, fostering a
sense of collaboration and skill-sharing and can involved both women and youths.

Item Description Quantity Price/ unit Total cost Remarks

Needle Large 4pcs 10 40 To be bought

Leave in spray 50 ml 1pc 180 180 To be bought

Head dummy Brown 1pc 0 0 Available

Crotchet hooks Hooked 2 pcs 0 0 Available

Darling braid Black 1 pc 65 65 Available

Savannah weave Short 1 pc 350 350 To be bought

Total price 1035

Material and equipment

AMOUNT OF TIME REQUIRED TO CARRY OUT THE ACTIVITY

Introduction and Theory (10 minutes – 20 minutes): This will include the introduction of the
presenters ,the topic of presentation,the objectives and the importance of wig making.

Demonstration (10 - 15 minutes): A detailed demonstration showing different ways of making wigs and
the procedure.

Practice (10 - 20 minutes): Participants engage in practical wig making process after the demonstration.
We will evaluate their practical trial and advice on where improvement can be done

Conclusion (4 - 5 minutes): Summarizing the key points, emphasizing important takeaways, and ensuring
participants understand the fundamental aspects of wig making

Question& Answer and Evaluation (5 minutes - 10 minutes): A session for participants to ask questions
and seek clarifications.

Procedure of making our home made wigs.

Step 2: Form the Wig Foundation.Use a head dummy or a round ball to give to the
shape of a normal human head.Put on to the weaving cap to the dummy and make
sure it can be easily seperated with the dummy.
 Step 3: Prepare the Hair.cut the hair that you’re going to use into your preferred length
and shapes,for the weaves straighten the textures before sewing them into the cap

Step 4: Start Sewing.Attach your hair to the cap using a neddle for the weaves or a
crothchet hook for the straight hair types.Start from the Bottom to going towards the
forehead part of the dummy this will give your wig a more orderly look and avoid
errors.

Step 5: Trim excess hair strands.After the sewing,trim all the excess hair that is
not in line with the weaves desired pattern or shape.

Step 6:Moisturize your wig using a leave in hair spray or your desired Hair
food.Store your wig in a dry place free from water or deep moistures.

REPORT

Introduction

Following our needs assessment and prioritization of value addition program for the community
members we visited the olgagei community on 29th November we travelled to Lord Egerton school
which was our venue of presentation with community members. We delivered an insightful
presentation on the innovative approach to wig-making using recycled weaves and various types of hair.
During the presentation we were able to emphasize the importance of repurposing old weaves into
good quality wigs. We were also able to show them utilization of various hair types to create wigs that
cater to different textures and preferences. This inclusive approach aimed to celebrate the diversity
within the community. We were able to show them how to make a crocheted wig using braids. The
session was further reinforced on 15th December with the aim of empowering community members of
olgagei community.The session involved a practical component where community members actively
participated in the process of making wigs from different hair types. This hands-on experience provided
valuable skills that can be utilized for personal use or even as a potential source of income. At the end of
the presentation the community members acknowledged that they had acquired the knowledge and
skills to make and style different types of wigs. The Olgagei community members displayed enthusiasm
and eagerness to learn during both sessions. Questions and discussions centered on the feasibility of
establishing a local initiative for sustainable wig production, potentially creating a small-scale business
that could benefit the community economically.

Challenges faced;

Lack of lunch: There was no enough funds to cater for lunch for both the students and the community
members since the session started during morning hours and ended in the evening.

Minimal attendance: Community members did not turn up as expected for the session as they were
engaged since it was rain season .

Time: There was not enough time for each group therefore the presentations were made in a hurry.
Conclusion

In conclusion the project aimed at empowering women through gaining skills and knowledge to be able
to make wigs for economic purposes and preserving the environment by use of old weaves which makes
it cheaper than other hairstyles as they last longer. The subsequent practical session marked a
significant step toward promoting sustainability and economic empowerment in Olgagei. The positive
response from community members suggested a genuine interest in embracing alternative practices
within the beauty industry as they realized it was cheaper than other hairstyles as they last longer and
are easy to maintain. Going forward, continued support, training, and resource-sharing could foster the
growth of this initiative, contributing not only to environmental conservation by weave recycling but
also to the socioeconomic well-being of the Olgagei community. We also encountered challenges such
as minimal attendance,lack of lunch and limited time during presentations.

Recommendations

The institution should make plans for lunch provision during such field works which take the whole day

The presentations should be scheduled on different days to allow each group to have enough time to
present

There should be better mobilization of community members so that they can turn up in large numbers
and flexible scheduling on days when they are free

There should be follow up of the community members progress on initiation of the project to ensure
continuity of it.

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