No More Silence
When you walk into the small community space tucked in a corner of Airport Ward, Changamwe Sub-County, in Mombasa, you’re greeted by the smell of freshly baked mandazis and the soft hum of young mothers chatting as they serve their customers. But behind the warm smiles and determined eyes is a story of deep pain, bold decisions, and a rising tide of change.
We were tired of being silenced. We were tired of watching our sisters die. Tired of feeling invisible. So, we came together to form a grassroots organization focused on the welfare of young women and children
Emily Adhiambo, the Executive Director of Mombasa Young Mothers (MYM).
What started as a group of young women coming together to share their struggles has grown into a movement for dignity and access.
Listening Then Leading
The MYM journey began with the simple act of listening.
The stories they heard were urgent: teenage mothers avoiding clinics due to shame, discrimination from health workers, and unsafe births at home. In one meeting alone, the group heard of 20 young women who had died due to unsafe abortions or childbirth-related complications.
The response was action. MYM launched a grassroots gender inclusion campaign, partnering with schools, clinics, and the Ministry of Health to change perceptions and improve maternal health services. They began by supporting 50 mothers to attend regular clinics—today, that number has grown to nearly 200.
Building Capacity Through Partnership
While MYM was making a tangible impact, it lacked the systems to scale. That’s where SHOFCO came in. Through targeted capacity-building support, including workshops on project management, financial reporting, and safeguarding, MYM strengthened its operations and was shortlisted as a sub-grantee in SHOFCO’s CBO ecosystem.
“Before the training, we were passionate but not organized,” Emily says. “Now we have budgets, records, and real systems in place. It’s changed everything.”
This support has enabled MYM to dramatically expand its reach. With technical and financial support from SHOFCO, the organization now works with over 300 young mothers, offering skills training, job referrals, and start-up kits.
Scaling Impact and Vision
MYM is currently mentoring 199 young women in life skills, childcare, and entrepreneurship. Their programs—ranging from baking to financial literacy—are designed to open up dignified, income-generating opportunities. With upcoming support, they plan to launch a beauty and hairdressing hub: a safe, inclusive space for young women to learn new skills, access psychosocial support, and begin the journey toward financial independence.
Looking ahead, MYM envisions a future that includes a daycare run by young mothers—so that women can work or train knowing their children are safe and cared for.
At SHOFCO, we believe that sustainable change begins at the grassroots. Organizations like MYM are not just service providers—they are movement builders. They know their communities best, and when given the tools, they lead transformative change from within.
Kennedy Odede, CEO and Founder, SHOFCO
Investing in Grassroots Leadership
MYM is just one of over 180 community-based organizations that SHOFCO aims to support across Kenya through a growing network of capacity-building, technical support, and catalytic funding. These partnerships are designed to strengthen local leadership, amplify community voice, and deliver services that respond directly to people’s lived realities. Together, SHOFCO and its CBO partners are creating an ecosystem of trusted, locally led institutions driving change across every county in Kenya—from maternal health to livelihoods, education to civic engagement.
Each year, we support 76,000+ community members with Sustainable Livelihoods skills training
MYM is just one of more than 80 community-based organizations supported by SHOFCO across 28 counties in Kenya. Through tailored capacity-building, catalytic sub-grants, and sustained mentorship, SHOFCO empowers grassroots groups to lead solutions in their own communities. In 2024 alone, SHOFCO-supported CBOs reached over 15,000 people with services ranging from maternal health to livelihoods, and more than 70% of trained partners have since secured additional funding independently. This model is transforming Kenya’s development landscape—by shifting power, amplifying community voices, and building a network of trusted, locally led institutions from the ground up.
