Gender Equality Kenya Project #21657

Nakuru Safehouse for Kenya Women and Children

by Springs of Hope Foundation

Nakuru Safehouse for Kenya Women and Children

Project Report | Nov 18, 2024
Empowerment! It's not just a buzzword!

By Jennifer Hughes | Founder/CEO

Empowerment extends far beyond a simple buzzword; it is a powerful, life-altering process that influences individuals, communities, and society as a whole. The Springs of Hope Foundation’s Kijiji Mission in Nakuru, Kenya, was founded as a vocational training center to change the lives of young women across Kenya who come from highly impoverished backgrounds. In these communities, poverty and lack of resources fuel high rates of teenage pregnancies, unsafe abortions, HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted infections, substance misuse, gender-based violence, and school dropouts due to the inability to afford fees.

For twelve months, young women reside at the Kijiji Mission facility free of charge, where they receive life-changing training in life skills, small business management, financial literacy, computer skills, and tailoring. This vocational training is paired with guidance on health, sexual and reproductive rights, and counseling to support trauma recovery and resilience building. The counseling component helps these women overcome personal, family, and community challenges rooted in trauma, which can often hinder growth and confidence.

Through this comprehensive support, young women shift from feeling unworthy to developing self-confidence, standing tall, and meeting others with renewed self-respect. This inner strength and resilience form the bedrock for lasting transformation, enabling them to reshape their lives and contribute meaningfully to their communities.

MEET JOSEPHINE (not her real name) one of our recent graduates.

Josephine, a 21-year-old and the eldest of four siblings, grew up in challenging circumstances. Her father abandoned the family when her youngest sibling was born, leaving her mother as the sole provider. Her mother worked tirelessly as a seasonal laborer in the fields, struggling but determined to support Josephine's education. Despite long absences from school due to unpaid fees, Josephine managed to complete her high school education.

After graduating, Josephine stayed home for several months until a friend of her mother offered her a job as a cook at the local prison. Although the pay was only 300Kenyan shillings a day (approximately $2.35 USD) she accepted the position. However, she eventually had to leave as the earnings were insufficient to meet her needs. She then took a job as a house helper, workinghard and saving some money to help support her family.

Josephine’s life took a positive turn when her aunt told her about Kijiji Mission. In her interview, Josephine shared her lifelong dream of working in fashion and design. Thrilled by the opportunity, she dedicated herself to the program, quickly proving her commitment. Her hard work led to her appointment as class prefect during her year at Kijiji Mission. After graduating in September 2024, Josephine received a three-month attachment at Daraja 360, a company specializing in school uniform production.

There, she honed her skills in speed and craftsmanship and impressed her supervisors with her strong work ethic and mastery of industrial sewing machines—a skill she developed at Kijiji Mission. Daraja allowed her to work on commission during her attachment, giving her a valuable income stream and more experience. She is now saving to buy an electric sewing machine, with the goal of opening a school uniform shop in her rural community. This venture would save local families from traveling to larger towns like Nakuru or Nyahururu for school uniforms.

Josephine is deeply grateful to the Springs of Hope Foundation supporters for enabling her to follow her dream and equipping her with skills that set her apart from her peers, who had only trained on manually operated machines.

Beyond the skills training, counseling, and peer group services that the Springs of Hope Foundation offers, perhaps the most valuable lesson these young women learn is; "I Matter". For many, this is the first time they are respected, loved, and encouraged. The first time they are recognized as important, able, and worthy. In many cases, the journey to empowerment starts when someone says, "I see you". This is how old stories end, and new ones begin.

With huge thanks and blessings,

Jennifer Hughes-Bystrom

Founder/CEO

Springs of Hope Foundation

Over the years, we have had the privilege of witnessing countless life-changing and heartwarming stories—moments made possible by your steadfast support. For this, we are deeply grateful.

Did you know that less than 2% of charitable giving goes toward women’s empowerment organizations? That’s why I’m asking for your support. Join me in making a difference! Your support is critical in ensuring that every girl knows her story
—and her future—matter.

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Oct 28, 2024
I love reporting about the success of our graduates

By Jennifer Hughes-Bystrom | Founder/CEO

I love hearing good news stories from our graduates whenever I'm here. The girls love to stop by to say hi, share their success stories with us, and inspire the current group of girls to work hard and set goals to achieve their dreams. Purity, (name changed) who graduated in December 2023, is one of those girls. Purity was born deaf. Any form of disability is usually shunned upon in East Africa, and the family will hide their disabled child from society. Her natural father abandoned the family soon after she was born. Her mother remarried a man who was extremely violent, forcing her to run away, leaving Purity to be raised by her elderly grandmother. Purity was one of the very fortunate girls. From primary school, she attended the renowned Ngala School for the Deaf in Nakuru City as a boarding student, graduating in 2022.

Along with three other girls from Ngala, Purity joined Kijiji Mission in 2023, graduating in Dec. Now with a well-rounded education and marketable vocational skills, her mostly absent father and family members wanted her to return to their interior rural land as Purity would bring the family a high bride dowry, and yes, that does involve the exchange of a few cattle, FGM and marriage to a much older man. A destiny we were all desperate to avoid. Despite the daunting employment prospects for the hearing impaired, Purity was unwavering in her determination to succeed. We were able to find her a six-month attachment at a school uniform manufacturing project, honing her skills by making uniforms for free. She continued to reside with us throughout this period, commuting to the project daily. During this time, she met a boy at Church who was also hearing impaired. Purity came by the other week to tell us that she’s getting married in November. The boy’s family loves Purity and is excited to welcome her into their large family. They had sent their son to barber college and now plan to set the two up in a joint barbershop and fashion design business. We are thankful to God that she has landed into the caring hands of loving in-laws who are looking forward to the wedding and welcoming their new daughter into their family and willing to give them total support in their business success. Every year, we are able to include hearing-impaired girls referred to us by Ngala School of the Deaf. This is only possible because of our wonderful head teacher, Marther, who is fully versant in Kenyan sign language. I'm not aware of any other vocational training school in Kenya that offers such intensive vocational training for the deaf.

All of our girls learn so much during the 12 months they live with us at Kijiji Mission. Of course, they learn a trade, tailoring. However, they also learn beginning computers, business and money management, household management, health, and hygiene, including reproductive health, just to name a few of the valuable services we provide. Since our humble beginnings in 2008, the Springs of Hope Foundation has made great strides forward in Kenya. We are so very grateful for the continued support of our donors. Without you, none of this would be possible.

Asante Sana.

Thank You.

Warmest blessings,

Jennifer Hughes-Bystrom

Founder/CEO

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Sep 23, 2024
A bright future is ahead for our recent graduates.

By Martha Kariuki | Project head teacher.

This week ended with a jubilant mood for the graduation of the class of 2024. The hall was decorated with flowers of different colors. The graduation ceremony commenced promptly at 10.00 am. The master of the ceremony was our dedicated pastor, Susan. The schedule allowed for an efficient program while ensuring a memorable experience for all attendees. “Who has the final say” was the congregation song. The congregation sang in reverence to Him, who makes all things possible. Indeed, no one but God, who makes all things happen at the right time, made this event possible. The graduation ceremony had an impressive turnout, with the 18 graduates, their families, Raymond, his assistant, and Kijiji Mission staff members present. The venue was filled with an air of excitement.

The girls were so excited to have come to the end of the course, primarily as they reflected while at the beginning of the course, some of their peers did not make it to the end. It was a huge success for them, so they celebrated with a lot of vigor. We held a brief meeting with them before the ceremony started, and they were optimistic about their journey in this transition.

The ceremony started with songs of praise to God. Later, the girls presented songs and performed a signed dance. Finally, they did a fashion show, which was much celebrated by the parents and the guests.

The event featured several notable speeches delivered by esteemed individuals as follows

Kijiji staff (Martha, Esther, and Daisy).

They all gave encouraging speeches to both the girls and their parents, citing the need for good character. They congratulated the graduates and wished them successful careers in the next phase of their life.

Government county official.

We had a government county officer in charge of the Daraja project, where some of the graduates will participate in a six month attachment program. She explained the benefits of this opportunity. She said their main aim is to sharpen the skills of the learners who graduate from different colleges and give them real exposure to their fields.

Cecilia, a former student.

Cecilia, one of our former students, said that she has improved her speed and the quality of her work. She is now earning a living making school uniforms.

Regina, a former graduate.

Regina, a former student of Kijiji Mission, graced the occasion and encouraged our girls to push on; she said that determination is the wheel to success, she said that she gained a lot of experience while at Kijiji Mission, and that she gained confidence in handling the complex machines, like flat locks that makes t-shirts and printing machines. She encouraged the girls first to be settled before engaging into married life; she gave her example that she first secured a job and later got married, and she is now blessed with a baby girl, which she brought along with her.

Graduate Representative.

The student representative from the graduating class delivered a heartfelt speech, reflecting on their college journey and expressing gratitude to the director of the Springs of Hope Foundation in her absence, all the staff, and family members who supported them along the way.

Issuing of certificates.

The Graduates were given their certificates as they took photos with their families in a celebratory mood. They were ushered with different-colored flowers and messages of congratulations.

Cake cutting.

Finally, the occasion was graced with a cake, which marked the climax of the celebration. Every person on the premises got a piece to mark the efforts of all who participated in the graduates' journey.

In conclusion, the 2024 graduation ceremony was another success, marked by its punctuality, impressive attendance, inspiring speeches, and jubilant atmosphere.

We sincerely thank the Springs of Hope Foundation and all the esteemed donors for their unwavering support in making this program possible.

Warmest regards,

Martha Kariuki

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