Over the past few months we have brought you updates on Seed of Hope Graduations and sports events. Now, we would like to give you the stories of 2 of our graduates who have used their Seed of Hope training to become successful businesswomen.
“My name is Rosebella Auma. I completed primary school in 2002 and my parents had no money to pay my secondary school fees. I heard of seed of hope from a friend and when I went for the interview I was enrolled.
During my two years at seed of hope I learned most of the things that I know now; dressmaking, life skills, and I am still using them. Training at seed of hope was very tough but after graduation I realized that it was all worthwhile. I graduated in 2004. They helped me with a machine, fabrics, an iron box and other dressmaking items. I started operating from my brother’s house in Kibera in 2005 January, as rent was very high. In July of the same year I rented a stall and started operating there using the name Joy vision designs.
Life in business is sometimes very tough and sometimes easy. Sometimes there are clients and others none and this has been my biggest challenge. I have been running my business for three years and a half and I love my work. I am now financially independent and I support my family.
I would like to expand my business and begin serving international clients.
I still have contacts with seed of hope as I still visit them, I talk to new girls to encourage them and communicate with the teachers.
I would like to encourage girls at seed of hope to work hard. I am grateful to seed of hope for the opportunity they gave me because I see it as a stepping-stone to bigger things.”
“My name is Naomi Mucogo. I am 20 years old.
I completed primary school in 2003 and even though I performed well in my final exams, my parents could not afford to pay for my secondary school education. I now realized that my dream of becoming a doctor was very far away from becoming true.
A friend of my family told me about this place where young girls were being trained in different skills and upon completion they were assisted to start small businesses so they could be self sufficient and self reliant. I therefore joined Seed of Hope in 2004. In the beginning life at Seed of Hope was very hard because I was very shy but in the end, I had a lot of confidence and I had learned so much. The environment at Seed of Hope was very good with loving teachers and we were provided for everything we needed. We were taught different skills, which are, dressmaking skills, craft skills and business skills. We were also taught life skills, which have really helped me in my interaction with the world in, and outside Seed of Hope.
I graduated in 2005, upon which I was given a sewing machine and fabric, rent for three months and my licence was paid for a period of one year. I started my business in 2006 at Ongata Rongai.
Starting a business was very hard as I had no experience and the fact that money was not coming in as quickly as I wanted it to. However through determination, perseverance and a lot of encouragement from Seed of Hope staff I managed to stay on and my business started to pick. Johari was also of great help to me as they were giving me business which helped me to survive the hard times.
In the second year of business I had already established a client base and my business had now become stable and I was finally fully supporting myself financially.
Now I have moved my business to Makina market at Kibera because it is near most of my clients because many of them were finding Rongai very far but now I am at a central place. I have also retained my clients from Rongai so this move has just helped me expand my client base.
Currently I am taking fashion design classes, as I want to keep improving my skills as I move towards expanding my business. I would like my business to grow and become big and I intend to employ other people as it grows.
I am also taking classes to sit for the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education exam.
I have a great relationship with Seed of Hope as I still go back to the teachers for help. They also give me business when they need outfits made for them. I can say that I am still attached to Seed of Hope.
I would like to encourage the girls at seed of hope to work very hard because I have succeeded from my experience at Seed of Hope. I can now fully support my family and myself financially. Besides dressmaking skills, the biggest skill that I learned from Seed of Hope was self-belief and ability to communicate with people.
I am grateful to Seed of Hope for everything they have given me.”
Thanks to Teacher Maureen for interviewing Naomi and Rosebella and bringing us these stories.