Wings of Hope

Project Report

Project Title: Wings of Hope – Empowering Vulnerable Women and Girls in Kenya

Organization: Progress Yetu Group

Reporting Period: January 2026 – June 2026

Project Budget: USD 76,500

Project Location: Nairobi, Kiambu, Machakos, Embu, and Kajiado Counties, Kenya

Target Beneficiaries:

• 800 vulnerable women
• 500 adolescent girls
• 150 women living with disabilities
• 100 young mothers
• Total direct beneficiaries: 1,550

Executive Summary

The Wings of Hope Project was implemented to improve the economic, educational, health, and social well-being of vulnerable women and girls across five counties in Kenya. The project focused on reducing poverty, preventing gender-based violence, improving menstrual hygiene, increasing access to vocational skills, supporting small businesses, and strengthening psychosocial support systems.

Through generous donor support totaling USD 76,500, the project successfully empowered over 1,550 women and girls through entrepreneurship training, vocational education, financial literacy, menstrual health support, counseling services, and small business grants.

Project Objectives

The project aimed to:

• Improve household income among vulnerable women.
• Equip women with vocational and entrepreneurial skills.
• Keep adolescent girls in school through menstrual hygiene support.
• Promote gender equality.
• Reduce vulnerability to gender-based violence.
• Increase access to psychosocial support.
• Strengthen community-based women's groups.

Activities Implemented1. Entrepreneurship Training

• Trained 800 women
• Business planning
• Record keeping
• Marketing
• Savings culture

Results

• 650 women started or expanded businesses.
• Average household income increased by approximately 35%.

2. Vocational Skills Training

Training included:

• Tailoring
• Hairdressing
• Baking
• Soap making
• Beadwork
• Computer literacy

Women completing training: 300

Employment/self-employment after graduation:

220 women

3. School Support for Girls

Distributed:

• 4,000 sanitary pad packs
• 500 dignity kits
• School bags
• Exercise books

Beneficiaries:

500 girls from vulnerable households.

Outcome

School absenteeism related to menstruation reduced significantly.

4. Women's Enterprise Grants

Small grants awarded to:

150 women

Businesses supported included:

• Grocery shops
• Poultry farming
• Tailoring
• Vegetable farming
• Food vending

Average grant:

USD 300

5. Psychosocial Support

Conducted:

• Individual counseling
• Group therapy
• Trauma healing sessions

Women reached:

350

Girls reached:

250

6. Gender-Based Violence Awareness

Activities included:

• Community dialogues
• Legal awareness
• Referral services
• Survivor support

People reached:

2,300 community members

7. Financial Literacy

Topics covered:

• Budgeting
• Savings
• Loan management
• Business investment
• Digital banking

Participants:

800 women

8. Monitoring and Evaluation

Activities included:

• Baseline survey
• Midterm assessment
• Endline evaluation
• Beneficiary interviews
• Household visits

Key Results

• 1,550 direct beneficiaries supported.
• 650 women started or expanded income-generating businesses.
• 220 women secured employment or self-employment.
• 500 girls remained in school with improved menstrual hygiene support.
• Household savings groups established in 25 communities.
• Household incomes increased by an average of 35%.
• Increased awareness of women's rights and available GBV support services.

Budget Summary (USD)

Budget Item

Amount (USD)

Entrepreneurship training

12,000

Vocational skills training

15,000

Women's business grants

20,000

Menstrual hygiene kits

6,500

Counseling and psychosocial support

4,500

Gender-based violence awareness

3,500

Financial literacy training

2,500

Monitoring and evaluation

3,000

Project staff and coordination

6,000

Administration and communications

2,000

Office supplies and logistics

1,500

Transport and field operations

500

Total

76,500

Challenges Encountered

• Rising transportation costs.
• High demand for business grants exceeded available funding.
• Inflation increased the cost of vocational training materials.
• Some rural communities experienced delays due to seasonal rains.

Lessons Learned

• Combining entrepreneurship with financial literacy greatly improves business sustainability.
• Community mentorship strengthens women's confidence and resilience.
• Providing menstrual hygiene supplies contributes to improved school attendance among girls.
• Partnerships with local leaders and schools increase community participation and project reach.

Sustainability Plan

To ensure lasting impact, the project will:

• Strengthen women's savings and lending groups.
• Link graduates with microfinance institutions.
• Continue mentorship through community volunteers.
• Support trained women in forming cooperatives.
• Build partnerships with county governments and private-sector organizations.
• Conduct periodic follow-up visits to monitor business growth.

Conclusion

The Wings of Hope Project successfully empowered vulnerable women and girls by improving economic opportunities, educational access, psychosocial well-being, and community resilience. The investment of USD 76,500 enabled meaningful improvements in livelihoods, strengthened local support systems, and enhanced the dignity and self-reliance of beneficiaries. Continued donor support will allow the project to expand its reach and build on these achievements in additional underserved communities across Kenya.