Kenya
Empowering Women
$20,000 Goal
Summary of the Situation
The economy worldwide is a challenge to many nations especially in developing countries, coupled with the political instability of some governments, the poor and especially women are faced with difficult times. Many families in Kenya have not recovered from the negative impact of Covid 19. The problems are so complex since getting causal labor is also a challenge especially in Githurai. The project is driven by the issue of high level of poverty among women in Githurai informal settlement. As a result of the pandemic of the Covid 19,many families were left to struggle with hunger that was looming and are unable to engage in small business so as to sustain the families .There is the need for a long-term solution through skills training. When one has skills, she can be self-employed through small business or other economic activities. So many families are struggling to keep their children in schools due to lack of money for school fees and other basic needs. This situation results to many children dropping out of school, hence, rise in crimes with the young people such as drug abuse, alcoholism, and theft.
Single mothers and women with children with disability in Githurai which is a semi urban area face a lot of challenges. Among them is sexual exploitations as they seek for their upkeep of their families. Due to the fact that majority are school drop out, getting jobs is not possible. For those with children living with disability they face discrimination from their families due to cultural belief and misconception that disability is a curse .
How will the funds be used?
These funds will allow the sisters to double the number of women they are currently serving. It will allow them to add a knitting component to the tailoring and small design portion of the program. It is hoped that it will allow them to increase the sophistication of the tailoring program past the basic level.
They will purchase more sewing machines and some specialized machines such as over-lock machines and button hole machines. Training materials will also be purchased.
When a woman completes this training, a local foundation provides the graduate with a sewing machine so they can start their own business in their home if seeking outside employment is not possible.
The Sisters’s Response
The project’s goal is aimed at contributing towards the reduction poverty level among vulnerable women in Kiambu County. The overall objective of the project is to improve the livelihood of poor women through training and equipping them with quality skills as a participation in the development and transformation of our society. The overall objective in turn translates to more specific objective which is to empower and transform the vulnerable women in Githurai community with information, knowledge and real-life skills that will assist them to take full responsibility of their lives holistically. The entrepreneurship skills acquired in the training will help the trainees to raise their financial status, improving their small business or start new ones hence reducing the dependency level in the society. We give workshops and seminars to women on capacity building to create awareness of their rights, help them to unlock their potentials. Do advocacy activities to promote inclusivity of persons with disabilities in the society to the communities through community meeting. Give them skills for job creation and self sustenance
Systemic Impact
Githurai, Kenya, 16 miles north of Nairobi is the refuge many migrants seek hoping to find work to survive. Covid 19 has hit many families living at a subsistence level hard. Their small businesses failed and hunger and poverty have become chronic. Many children have dropped out of school because their parents cannot afford school fees and other basic needs. The unemployment and lack of ability to address basic needs has led to an increase in crime, especially among young people and increased drug and alcohol abuse.
Single mothers and women with children who have disabilities face a lot of challenges. Among them is sexual exploitations as they seek for their upkeep of their families. Due to the fact that majority of these single mothers are school drop-outs, getting jobs is not possible. For those with children living with disability they face discrimination due to cultural belief and misconception that disability is a curse.