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 | Feb 13, 2026
Restoring dignity through faith and knowledge. A pathway from training to true independence.

By Jennifer Hughes-Bystrom | Founder/CEO

One of the joys of our community outreach programs is meeting young women who approach us, eager to learn more about our vocational training school, Kijiji Mission.

Many of our former and current students have learned about us at our community food distributions. Often shyly approaching, wanting to learn more, and learning that, yes, they qualify and are openly and eagerly welcomed into our program.

Natalie, (we changed her name for her privacy), who, through Springs of Hope Foundation, is discovering her worth in Christ, gaining life-changing skills, and breaking the cycle of exploitation and poverty—not just for herself, but for her child and future generations.

"I didn't just learn to sew; I learned I was worth protecting."

The young mothers who arrive at Springs of Hope Foundation often carry wounds that go deeper than poverty. Many, like Natalie, have survived exploitation, abandonment, and relationships that stripped them of dignity before they ever understood their worth.

Without guidance on consent, boundaries, or healthy relationships, these young women are vulnerable to cycles of abuse. When Natalie became pregnant in secondary school, the father of her child soon left for another woman. Alone with a newborn, no income, and no job skills, Natalie faced single motherhood, carrying not just financial struggle, but deep shame and spiritual emptiness.

"I felt worthless and afraid," Natalie recalls. "I didn't know God cared about what I had been through, and I didn't believe my life could be different."

Restoring dignity through faith and knowledge.

Springs of Hope Foundation's holistic 15-month program addresses the interconnected needs that keep young women trapped. Through daily devotion, prayer, and faith-centered community, Natalie began to understand God not as distant or condemning, but as a loving Father who saw her pain.

Alongside spiritual formation, she participated in Sexual and Reproductive Health classes—learning about consent, recognising exploitation, and protecting herself in future relationships.

"For the first time, I understood how a lack of knowledge had put me at risk," she explains. "These lessons, combined with counselling and prayer, helped me see I deserved respect and dignity."

Through scripture-based mentorship and counselling, Natalie worked through emotional trauma and began rebuilding her self-worth. As her confidence grew, so did her skills in the tailoring program, where she discovered both her talent and a sense of purpose in creating garments.

A pathway from training to true independence.

The transformation has been tangible. Before completing the program, Natalie secured employment using her tailoring skills. But Springs of Hope Foundation's support didn't end there. During the first months of her employment, she continued living at the Foundation's residential facility. This critical transition period allowed her to stabilise financially, save her earnings, and adjust to working life without the immediate pressure of housing costs.

Over time, Natalie was able to afford moving into her own apartment and began fully supporting her child—a level of independence that once seemed impossible.

"I make decisions differently now—with knowledge, prayer, and confidence," she says. "I want to show my child and other young women that we don't have to repeat these cycles."

Breaking cycles for vulnerable young mothers.

Springs of Hope Foundation's current program serves 27 young women annually, providing vocational training in tailoring and knitting, comprehensive Sexual and Reproductive Health education, faith-based counselling, and spiritual mentorship, small business budgeting and money management, and computer literacy. Our data shows that 85% of graduates secure employment or start small businesses within six months of completion, with average monthly earnings increasing from $0 to $85–$155.

The residential support model ensures graduates don't just gain skills, they achieve sustainable independence. Beyond economic impact, participants report significant growth in self-worth, spiritual confidence, and ability to recognise and avoid exploitative relationships, creating lasting change not only for themselves but for an estimated 360 children and family members who benefit from their transformation.

If you would like to learn more about any of our programs, or would like to learn more about our volunteer program, please feel free to email me, jenniferhughes@springsofhopefoundation.org. Please include "Kijiji Mission or volunteer information" in the subject line. As you can imagine, I get a lot of spam. Or visit our web page

Warmest regards,

Jennifer Hughes-Bystrom

Founder/CEO

Springs of Hope Foundation

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Dec 22, 2025
A Week That Marks the Beginning, Not the End

By Maggy June | Program Assistant

Graduation week at Springs of Hope Foundation is not a ceremony-first milestone. It is a checkpoint. It is the point where students demonstrate whether they are ready to work, earn, and manage life beyond structured training.

This December, thirteen young women reached that point.

In the days leading up to graduation, students moved through a series of practical demonstrations designed to test real-world readiness. They were required to show what they could do independently, not describe what they had learned in theory.

Those trained in tailoring and knitting produced finished garments such as school uniforms, skirts, and sweaters. Each student measured, cut, stitched, and completed her work while explaining the process, the challenges she encountered, and how she addressed them. These demonstrations reflected more than technical ability. They showed organization, discipline, and problem-solving—qualities essential for sustained income.

Other graduates demonstrated computer skills by typing documents, preparing simple budgets using Excel, and presenting basic business ideas through PowerPoint and Publisher. These exercises were designed to reflect the kinds of tasks graduates are likely to encounter in entry-level employment, attachments, or self-employment.

Graduation week also includes structured conversations about next steps. Of the thirteen graduates, eight have already identified industries or workplaces where they are actively seeking internship or apprenticeship opportunities. Two plan to begin offering tailoring services within their communities by hiring sewing machines on a monthly basis. One graduate has already began an internship and is adjusting to the expectations and pace of a professional work environment. The remaining graduates are continuing to pursue opportunities to strengthen their skills and secure employment.

These outcomes are not accidental. They reflect consistent access to training, mentorship, equipment, and daily structure—support made possible through ongoing donor partnership.

Beyond vocational skills, students complete the program having practiced shared responsibility and independent living. Throughout their training, they managed schedules, prepared meals in groups, resolved conflicts, and contributed to communal responsibilities. Graduates frequently identify these routines as critical preparation for the demands of work and adult life.

Health and wellbeing are integrated into daily programming. Students receive practical guidance on hygiene, mental health, personal wellbeing, and reproductive health, equipping them to make informed decisions as they transition into less structured environments. Spiritual reflection and guidance also remain a steady part of the program, offering grounding and resilience during periods of change.

One graduate, Viscan, reflects the broader purpose of this training model. During her time at Springs of Hope Foundation, she focused on sewing and knitting while developing a clear plan for independence. As graduation approached, she presented her work and outlined her next steps. She has now secured an internship opportunity and is beginning to apply her skills in a professional setting, moving steadily toward earning her own income.

Graduation marks readiness, not certainty. Some graduates will continue to need mentorship or access to equipment as they transition into work or self-employment. This ceremony highlights both progress and remaining support needs, ensuring that future interventions can be practical and effective.

The thirteen graduates leave Springs of Hope Foundation with demonstrated skills, clear plans, and the confidence to take the next steps toward independent, sustainable livelihoods. Their achievements reflect what consistent, practical support can accomplish.

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Dec 1, 2025
It's the most wonderful time of the year.

By Jennifer Hughes | Founder/CEO

It's unbelievable to think that we are already making our way into stores to purchase gifts for those who are constantly on our list, gifts that, hopefully, they will not return and will appreciate.
I would personally ask you if this year you could put us on your Christmas list… not for toys or presents to place under the tree, but for our Food Hamper Appeal... You see, for children growing up in the slums surrounding us, so very often the only meal they receive is the hot lunch included in their school fees. They go to school without breakfast and routinely go to bed hungry. This year’s school break runs for a whopping 10 weeks, from October 27^th 2025, to January 5^th. 2026. Our team is doing our very best to get as many food hampers to families of young children as possible each week. But we need your help this Giving Tuesday.DONATE Our recent food hamper distribution to Parkview, an area recently impacted by rising Lake Nakuru water levels.HAPPENINGS THIS WEEK.This week, our team visited Pangani and parts of Kivumbini in Nakuru to deliver food hampers to some of the most vulnerable families in the community. One of the areas we focused on was the ELCK Special Unit, a center serving children and teens with intellectual and developmental challenges. Many of the parents we met are struggling to balance daily care with the pressure of finding food, especially now that schools are closed and their children, living with disabilities, require full-time supervision at home.

We met Rahma, a 27-year-old single mother whose son lives with autism following brain damage caused by severe pneumonia in early childhood. With her son now at home for the holidays, Rahma cannot take on regular work. She relies on short cleaning or laundry jobs near her home so she can return quickly if her son needs attention. He is unable to use the toilet independently and often requires diaper changes and close supervision to keep him safe.

Rahma shared how isolating and limiting this has been. She left school in Form 3 after becoming pregnant, and years later, she is still unable to pursue work or further education because her son requires constant care. She was genuinely relieved when she received the food hamper, explaining that it would ease the pressure of finding meals for the next few weeks.

We also met Moraa, a mother who has been bedridden since 2017 due to a condition affecting her lower spine. She lost her husband some years ago and now cares for her four children from her bed. One of them, Charles, has lived with complications from hydrocephalus since early childhood. After an accident, he lost mobility and has remained bedridden into adulthood. Their family depends almost entirely on well-wishers, as Moraa is unable to work and the children are too young to provide a stable income.

Throughout Pangani and Kivumbini, we met many women facing similar circumstances—long-term illness, disability, abandonment, and the constant struggle to meet basic needs. For most of them, food is the most urgent concern.

With your support, we distributed hampers across these households. The hampers will help these families get by for a few weeks, providing some stability and reducing the daily fear of going to bed hungry. For parents who cannot leave their homes, and for households with no income at all, this support makes an immediate and measurable difference.

The need in these areas remains high. Many of the families we visited have no other source of assistance and rely entirely on these distributions for their next meal. Your continued support allows us to reach them, household by household, with practical help they can count on.
Many blessings,
Jennifer Hughes-Bystrom

THIS GIVING TUESDAY PLEASE HELP US PROVIDE ESSENTIAL FOOD HAMPERS TO MANY MORE FAMILIES

To our very kind and generous supporters who have been with us throughout the year, we are so very grateful.
Asante sana.
Thank you.

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