At Ocean Sole, our mission is to transform waste into art, jobs, and impact. But behind every sculpture and every conservation project is a team of people: artisans, carvers, rangers, and staff whose creativity and commitment make our work possible. That’s why we launched Ocean Sole CARES, an initiative designed to nurture the well-being of our employees and strengthen the communities we call home.
CARES stands for Comprehensive Health and Wellness, Advancement Opportunities, Rewards and Recognition, Essential Support, and Sustainability & Community Engagement. Together, these pillars reflect our commitment to dignity, growth, and resilience for our team and for Kenya.
What CARES Means in Action
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Comprehensive Health and Wellness
The health of our employees comes first. CARES provides access to preventative care, medical treatment, and wellness resources so that our team can thrive inside and outside of work. -
Advancement Opportunities
We believe in lifelong learning. CARES funds scholarships, skills training, and leadership opportunities, helping employees pursue their goals and unlock new potential. -
Rewards and Recognition
At Ocean Sole, hard work never goes unnoticed. CARES provides competitive salaries, holiday bonuses, and profit-sharing because when we succeed, we succeed together. -
Essential Support
Everyday life comes with challenges. CARES offers transportation subsidies, loans to purchase land, and financial literacy support, ensuring stability for our team and their families. -
Sustainability & Community Engagement
Aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), CARES commits to strengthening community resilience. We invest in projects that support sustainable urbanization, from environmental conservation to local enterprise development, ensuring our growth is shared with the communities around us.
Why Ocean Sole CARES
Our strength lies in our people. By investing in their well-being, we build not only a more innovative and resilient team, but also a stronger community. CARES enhances job satisfaction, boosts retention, and improves quality of life for employees and their families. For our community, this program means stronger local economies, reduced environmental impact, and deeper social well-being. For Ocean Sole, it means living our mission of impact every single day.
Our Impact in 2025 and What’s Next
So far in 2025, through the CARES initiative we have provided healthcare and wellness support to dozens of artisans and staff, funded scholarships and skills training for employees seeking career growth, distributed holiday bonuses and profit-sharing rewards to recognize dedication, and supported employees with loans and subsidies to improve their financial stability.
Our next goal is to expand CARES benefits even further, with a focus on mental health resources, leadership development, and community-driven conservation projects. When we support our people, we strengthen everything: our art, our mission, and our impact.
Ocean Sole’s Nonprofit Commitment
Ocean Sole is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in the United States, dedicated to supporting community, conservation, and creative impact in Kenya. Through funding, partnerships, and global awareness campaigns, the U.S. nonprofit empowers our Kenyan social enterprise to turn ocean waste into opportunity through art, dignified jobs, and environmental action. We don’t just create upcycled sculptures, we support a wide range of impact initiatives that uplift communities, protect marine life, and inspire global change.
✨ Every time you shop with Ocean Sole, you’re not just buying art, you’re investing in people, livelihoods, and brighter futures in Kenya. Click here to Shop
🌍 Ocean Sole Programs at a Glance
🐢 TurtleSafe Project: Protecting endangered sea turtles by hiring local rangers to safeguard nests, prevent poaching, and educate communities.
🌊 Coastal Cleanups: Removing tonnes of plastic and flip-flops from beaches and rivers before they reach the Indian Ocean.
🌱 Mangrove Planting: Partnering with The Leaf Charity to restore coastal forests, protect biodiversity, and fight climate change.
🌾 Community Garden (Ocean Mamaz): Empowering the Ocean Mamaz with food security, permaculture training, and sustainable income through Mama’s Miracle Grow compost.
Children’s Safe House & Upskilling Centre: Supporting 104 orphans and vulnerable children in Kilifi with vital resources. We provide sanitary towels for 40+ girls, clean water, weekly meals, art supplies, and a kitchen garden to grow vegetables, transforming a coral mine wasteland into a place of nourishment. This initiative builds dignity, health, and hope for children who need it most.
📚 Marine Education Outreach Program: Launched in 2024, this program partners with schools and the Safe House to embed ocean literacy, conservation skills, and creative recycling for children aged 5–12. Through storytelling, games, and hands-on activities, we nurture the next generation of ocean guardians.
💙 Ocean Sole CARES: Supporting our artisans and staff with healthcare, education, fair pay, and essential resources for their families.
✨ Every donation and every purchase fuels these programs, helping us clean oceans, protect wildlife, and create dignified jobs in Kenya.
