Q&A
Q: What was your life like before you joined SHOFCO?
A: Honestly, I was lost. I was young, depressed, and overwhelmed by challenges. There were days I wished for death. But somehow, I kept waking up—and that became my first step toward healing.
Q: What inspired you to step into community leadership?
A: I grew up watching persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Korogocho suffer in silence—locked away, stigmatized, excluded from workspaces. I wanted to change that. I wanted to show them they were more than their circumstances.
Q: How did SHOFCO shape your journey?
A: Joining SHOFCO in 2018 gave me structure, purpose, and a platform. I joined the SUN committee in 2020 and was elected as SUN Youth Leader in 2023. Through this journey, I found my voice—and helped others find theirs too.
Q: What kind of impact have you made in your community?
A: I’ve trained five young women in fashion design—today, they’re working at the EPZ. Over 30 youth have accessed SHOFCO SACCO loans, and eight PWDs received business grants. Some commercial sex workers have transitioned into dignified work. That’s what I’m most proud of—restoring dignity.
Q: What does your work with Disabled Inclusion Node Association (DINA) involve?
A: At DINA, we focus on empowering PWDs and women through tailoring, sports, scholarships, and mentorship. We’re a SHOFCO and Mastercard Foundation-supported CBO, and with the KES 1.9 million grant, we’re reaching youth in Nairobi, Siaya, Mombasa, Homa Bay, and Migori.
Q: Do you only work within SUN?
A: Not at all. I work with youth groups across Korogocho—supporting projects like waste management, poultry farming, and climate change adaptation. I help them access funding and partners. When young people feel their ideas matter, they start building change.
A: Unemployment, drug abuse, and a lack of accurate information. Many are striving to survive. That’s why we focus not just on financial support, but mental health and business mentorship too.
Q: How have you grown personally through this work?
A: I’ve grown into a communicator, a connector, a mentor. I’ve learned that real leadership is walking alongside people, not ahead of them.
Q: What’s your message to Kenya’s youth?
A: Let’s not wait. Let’s use our voices, our networks, our stories—and build sustainable thriving communities together.
Daniel Ayugi
Location: Korogocho, Nairobi
Focus: Entrepreneurship
Goal: Poultry Keeping
Poultry keeping provides the youth with a fresh start and an opportunity to rebuild their lives in a positive and productive manner. It allows them to engage in meaningful work within the community, helps reduce stress levels, and offers hope for a better future.
Goal: Bead Work
These sessions were not only educational but also empowering, providing youth with the skills needed for self-reliance. Moreover, beadwork kept them actively engaged throughout the day, minimizing idleness and instilling a sense of purpose.
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Meet Our Youth Leaders
Every youth leader has a unique story. Explore the journeys of leaders like Netto, Daniel, and Sylvia—what drove them to act, the goals they set, and the change they’re leading.
