Launch 150 Startup Youth Businesses in Kibra Slum

John is the first born in a family of 5. He graduated from high school in 2021 with  hopes of joining University. However, things did not turn out as expected. John did not score the minimum grade that would enable him to join college or university. 

"I was hopeful,  my parents were hopeful. I really wanted to become a doctor. I knew that this dream would help get our family out of poverty. When things did not turn out as expected, I was frustrated. My hopes vanished" John shared. 

John decided to start working at a nearby restaurant. This was the only way he could continue supporting his family. " One of my colleagues at the restaurant shared a poster he had come across. The poster had details of an economic empowerment training by Garden of Hope Foundation"

In Jan 2022, John enrolled in our program. After 3 months of training. He successfully graduated. During the training,  John developed a business proposal worth $ 150 . Luckily, after a pitching competition his business was funded in April. 

John currently employs 10 staff, he runs a food delivery business that delivers food in Kibera. 

Your support has continued to ensure youth like join continues to be productive in the community. 

"When I received my final high school results, tears rolled down my cheek and I though that I would never go back to school again or find meaningful ways to support my community. I had hopes of becoming a doctor. I was inspired to pursue this career after I saw many people die from my village becuase they could not access medical support on time. Now that dream is Vanished"

For many High School students like Caleb who graduated from High School  in April, everything seemed deam. Caleb tried the best he could in school with the resources available to him, but unfortunately his grades were not enough to take him to college or university. Caleb comes from a family of 6, he is the third born. His parents earn less than $ 4 a day, making it difficult for him and his siblings to access quality education.

Caleb was introduced to our leadership and entrepreneurship program by a friend. The program equips high school graduates with sustaibable economic empowerment skills in order for them to create employment for themselves. "This was a great opportunity to figh back" Caleb narrates. 

"Since I joined the program in May, I have been able to learn computer packages, introduction to entrepreneurship, leadership and photography. I feel like I have various options to continue supporting my community as a result of the program offered by Garden of Hope Foundation. I look forward to graduating from the program soon. Don't give up in life as long as there is still possible opportunity for you to make something out of it" Caleb smiles as he finishes the interview.

Donate today to continue supporting more young like Caleb.

The Covid-19 pandemic has left many people jobless. In Kenya, over 1.5 million people have lost their jobs since the pandemic started. This means that more and more families cannot be able to get a daily meal or afford basic needs. Women and Children are the most affected.

Rose was married at the age of 19 years. As a young girl with so much dreams, her life was cut short when her parents died. This forced her into early marriage. Unfortunately her "husband" left her with one child in Kibera slum. Rose did not have an option except to start provding for herself and her young child. Because of her low level of education, she could only secure casual jobs which are not well paying. 

When the pandemic hit, she was one of the 1.5 million Kenyans who were rendered jobless. Her employer could not allow her to continue with her job. Rose was forced to sleep in the streets with her child for several months. During this time, she knocked on several doors for jobs, but unfortunately nothing was forth-coming.

Rose was later introduced to our young mother's economic empowerment program by one of the well wishers who had heard of her plight. She succefully went through the program and  was given a start-up capital to start her business. Rose is currently running a profit making business in Kibra  and she is able to provide for her family. Her son just started school.  

Apart from her business, Rose has dedicated herselft to mentoring young people on various issues that affect them in the community.

"I joined the economic empowerment program becuase I could not access sustainable employment, this was due to my low education level and lack of business skills. We were taken through a 3 month's training. After graduation, we were given start-up capital. I started a second hand clothes business. My business has been running for a month now. The mentors have continued to provide me with more business knowledge which help in running the business effectively" Nancy. 

Many young women and girls living in Kibra slum are expected to stay at home and take care of their families, this is because of the fact that they are not able to get access to employment. Some men in the informal settlement still believe women should never earn a living of their own.

Many men believe that women can thrive only in jobs that involve children, health, beauty, or domestic work. Early forced marriages are still common in some traditions and can prevent young women from contributing economically to society. Girls who marry young are often required to end their education to stay at home and look after their family.

We have supported 80 young women and girls living in informal settlement get access to sustainable entrepreneurship skills. These women and girls were provided with small grants in order for them to launch their businesses ideas. 

These women can confidently partcipate in the socio-economic projects in their community. 

Over 1 million jobs were lost in Kenya during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. 60% of the jobs lost affected youth between the ages of 18-35 years. Youth living in informal settlement like Kibera slum and mostly depend on casual and domestic jobs found  themeselves in a very difficult place. Some of them turned to drugs, crime and violence to meet their needs and those of their families. Some were affected mentally. 

We launched a project to support youth who have been affected by the pandemic to get access to employment  by either launching their businesses, reving affected businesses or securing sustainble employment. The project targeted youth who have gone into crime, victims of gender based violence and those who had gone into drug abuse. 

Since December 2020, we have trained 50 youth. 23 of these youth have so far secured sustainable employment, 22 have decided to advance their education and 5 have launched their own businesses. The businsses currently impact the lives of over 100 people and they are generating enough money to provide for the needs of the youth.  All 50 youth have continue to receive counselling in order for them to deal with the mental health challenges. 

Thank you for your continued support.