A Passion for Fashion
In Kenya’s informal settlements and remote rural areas, girls face uphill battles when it comes to education. Cultural norms and toxic masculinity often prioritize boys’ education, while poverty forces many girls to stay home, care for siblings, or marry young. Even for girls who manage to finish school, a bleak job market awaits—800,000 young people reach working age each year, but only a fraction find stable employment.
For Esther Wanjiku, growing up in Mukuru—one of Nairobi’s largest informal settlements—meant confronting these obstacles. Despite finishing high school in 2022, her dream of becoming a fashion designer seemed out of reach when her family couldn’t afford college tuition. Like so many young people in Kenya, Esther needed more than just an education. She needed practical skills, career guidance, and opportunities to make her dream a reality.
The Skills to Follow Her Dreams
Esther’s aunt, a member of the SHOFCO Urban Network (SUN) in Mukuru, introduced her to SHOFCO’s Sustainable Livelihoods program, which equips individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to achieve long-term economic independence and stability.
Initially skeptical, Esther took time to research the organization and verify if the claims about helping people and offering free training were true.
Through SHOFCO’s program, she discovered she could enroll in a free tailoring course and revive her passion for fashion design. She also attended job readiness training that included CV and interview workshops, business plan development, and financial management sessions.
Armed with these new skills, she borrowed her aunt’s sewing machine and, with just $3, purchased materials to start making children’s clothes.
“I now earn $6 a day, which is enough to support my family and contribute to my sister’s school fees. Now I want to expand my business and plan to join the SHOFCO SACCO”.
Through the SHOFCO SACCO, Esther plans to access additional training and youth-friendly loans to grow her business even further.
The Bigger Picture
Esther’s story is just one example of what’s possible through SHOFCO’s Sustainable Livelihoods program.
We’ve also partnered with vocational institutions to provide more opportunities for hands-on skills training. By linking participants with internships and private sector job opportunities, we help build real-world work experience and open doors to meaningful employment.
Looking ahead, we plan to expand our reach, connecting 100,000 young people to both employment and entrepreneurship opportunities. This includes growing our SHOFCO Women’s Empowerment Program (SWEP) to support more women in informal settlements, peri-urban, and rural areas.
