27/05/2024
“I am so tired and hungry!” cried Susan, one of the ten women at the Tortola Centre in the Korogocho slums.
A heavy cough followed from another corner, then a child’s whimpers from yet another. It caught me completely off-guard.
It was just 10:00 AM, and we had barely finished the ice-breaker session. I was there to conduct a training session for a new group of women. I had my notes ready, complete with illustrations, and I felt well-prepared—until I wasn’t.
In my confusion, I slowly asked, “What’s the problem?”
Susan’s response shattered me. “I spent the whole night at work, fully naked, but made nothing! My children haven’t eaten since yesterday!”
“Me too!” chimed in another woman.
My jaw dropped.
I packed away my notes, laptop, and handouts. I sat down and told them I was ready to listen to their experiences and challenges.
One woman’s voice trembled as she spoke, “I don’t know whose child this is. She is always hungry, and I don’t know who to turn to for help. I’ve become the laughing stock of the village for having four children whose fathers I don’t even know. I tried aborting unsuccessfully and I don’t know what’s wrong with me!”
At that moment, I realized I was in for another twist in my journey. This mysterious world of s*x workers was about to unveil itself right in front of me. As each of these ladies shared their pain, hurt, and hopes for a better future, a new sense of helplessness crawled inside me.
I found myself questioning, ‘What do I know about the rights of s*x workers? How do I handle cases of partner violence? What happens when children born out of this trade are neglected? What about failed abortions?’
Despite feeling overwhelmed, I felt deeply grateful to work with organizations committed to transforming these women’s lives. The project we were working on is called the “Badilisha program,” which means “to transform.” The aim is to help these women by introducing them to alternative sources of income, allowing them to make money through dignified means.
My own entrepreneurial journey has been full of unexpected twists and turns. When I started Shamba Connect my big goal was to enhance the health and wealth of urban dwellers by providing fresh, organic fruits and vegetables. While the dream is still alive, the strategy keeps evolving.
This journey has taught me the importance of:
1. Agility
2. Continuous learning and improvement
3. Collaboration and partnerships
As the Badilisha project takes shape, we are excited to partner with corporates, institutions, and individuals who are willing to walk this journey with us. We aim to equip these women with skills and startup capital to help them achieve their lifelong dreams and live productive, fulfilling lives.
I feel privileged to work with incredible people like Robson, and organizations such as Hope Worldwide and Koch FM. Together, we are making a difference, one life at a time.
Psalm 90:17 – “May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us—yes, establish the work of our hands.”
Ps: Be sure to follow me, and I will share with you the journey of each of these incredible women!
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