Upcycled Bicycle Inner Tube Belt-The Kukhuta

Description

Have you ever put on a belt that feels like you’ve worn it in already? Then you haven’t tried one of these- they require no wearing in as the cyclists who sent in their inner tubes for upcycling have already done it for you.

This belt therefore can be described as ‘soft and supple, yet tough and hard wearing’.

The Kukhuta is made from four layers of upcycled inner tube, using this clever design of layering the inner tube gives the belt a smooth look and the popper on the buckle means you can change your buckle with just two quick pops to suit your look.

The Kukhuta belts are available in two different stitch styles featuring orange/red cotton stitching in either parallel  'Straight' line or 'Wave' line.

We like both styles but I guess the wave line looks a wee bit more funky? They are also available in two sizes to fit up to 34" waist or up to 40" waist.

The word ‘Kukhuta’ means ‘to be full/satisfied’ in the Chichewa language, which is widely spoken in Malawi.

Plenty of room to let this belt out, if needs be! Some of these upcycled inner tubes have manufacturers writing or the odd puncture repair patch meaning no two belts will ever be identical and measurements may vary slightly due to the handmade nature of the item.

Guaranteed unique!

Specifications

Measures: 1200 mm fits up to 40" inch waist or 1100 mm fits  up to 34" waist.

Story

Helping to end poverty in one of the poorest communities in the world. Currently employing 10 Malawian tailors full time, but with ambitions to grow this to a team of 100, they earn a good wage and can support their families, without any charity donations or handouts.

Cycle of Good is the latest initiative to join a hub of social enterprises created by the charity over the past ten years. Situated in Chilomoni Township, Malawi, the enterprises together employ 500 people who have trained and worked to create businesses that fund a vital children’s centre.

The centre provides early years care and family support to around 2000 vulnerable children at any one time. It’s a quiet revolution of skills building and economic growth in a country with no welfare state: if you don’t earn, you don’t eat.

Cycle of Good builds on all of this amazing work to make something even more wonderful. They now collect waste inner tubes and other products, ship them in their containers to Malawi and give them to the tailors who carefully craft useful and beautiful items.

They also carefully source other Malawian made items, especially when they are made from upcycled and sustainable materials. They ship all these amazing products back to the UK where they sell them to lovely people like you!

The profits pay for them to send more containers to Malawi and all surpluses directly fund the work of the children’s centre.

That is why they call it the Cycle of Good!

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