Tag: employment

Water for the People, Work for Paul

Posted on by nrttrading

Before the sound of running water ever meant income, Paul Kiperus was known around Kiwanja as the guy you’d find at the riverbeds, loading sand onto lorries. Today, he’s the one people call when their tanks are leaking or when they finally decide to install indoor plumbing.

He was in Form 1 when everything changed. An elephant attacked his father while he was running errands. The injuries were serious, such that both legs were broken, and just like that, Paul had to stop school. The money that would have been allocated for his school fees was redirected to cover hospital bills and other medical expenses. As the eldest child, he stepped up, and school had to wait as he stayed back to take care of his siblings.

To make ends meet, Paul worked at sand harvesting sites. He’d get Ksh. 300 for every lorry he helped load. Most of the time, he was forced to work in the dead of night; it was cold, tiring, and risky. The riverbeds could flood without warning, and on more than one occasion, he feared for his life. But he kept going because staying idle was not an option.

While working as a sand harvester, Paul still found time to help around his community. He had volunteered for two years to monitor water pipes in a nearby Community Land Management Committee (CLMC) project, even though he didn’t know how to fix them. Whenever there was a leak, someone else had to be called in. The board saw his dedication, and when Ujuzi Manyattani came, they suggested he take it a step further by enrolling in a plumbing course under the vocational training program. It was something he had quietly been working toward all along.

At first, upon joining, he was nervous. He had never been to a classroom since dropping out of school. Some of the skills he was taught included pipe fitting, water supply, drainage systems, and plumbing fixtures, among others. They even had practical sessions in nearby schools.

After completing training, Paul didn’t sit still. He took on small jobs, such as fixing tanks, repairing leaks, and connecting homes to the water supply. His phone started ringing more often. For the first time in years, he had regular work and income he could count on. “I’d leave the house in the morning and come back in the evening with something for the family,” he says.

With his nationally recognized certificate in hand, Paul applied for a job under the Makurian Osirua Water Project with Laikipia County. He was accepted as a casual and has now been on the payroll for nine months, earning around Ksh. 9,000 monthly. For bigger jobs, he links his classmates from the program.

He’s also been involved by the Mayianat Conservancy management in repairing pipelines that elephants have destroyed.

Their area had always struggled with access to water. When a storage tank was finally built to help the community, many families wanted water piped directly to their homes. Paul took it upon himself to lend a hand. The demand grew so rapidly that he decided to open a small plumbing workshop, stocking fittings and connectors that people used to travel as far as Nanyuki to buy.

With support from Rangelands SACCO through FFI-Darwin, he got a Ksh. 50,000 loan to expand.  Paul dreams of further growing his shop, adding things beyond plumbing and other hardware materials.

A 19-Year-Old Turning Her Passion Into a Paycheck

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Born and raised in Kiwanja, within the Maiyanat Conservancy in Laikipia County, Jackline Wamoke was practically raised on the scent of hair oils, the rhythmic tug of braids being parted and plaited, and the lively chatter that fills a salon.

Her mother, a long-practicing hairdresser, passed down more than a profession; she nurtured a sense of possibility. Jackline’s older sister followed that same path, and together, they formed a kind of informal apprenticeship that shaped Jackline from an early age.

During school holidays, she would spend hours in the salon, slowly learning the techniques through observation and practice, the rhythm of customer care, and the business instinct required. These small acts of care and craft shaped Jackline’s childhood and, over time, revealed that she could one day take on the family trade.

After completing Form Four in 2023, she enrolled in Ujuzi Manyattani in March 2024, a program designed to empower young people in marginalized areas by offering hands-on vocational skills locally relevant to their communities’ needs, which can translate into immediate income. The training went far beyond what she had learned in her mother’s salon. Ujuzi Manyattani introduced her to contemporary trends in beauty and personal care, expanding her expertise to include beauty therapy, such as makeup, manicures, and pedicures. Jackline quickly distinguished herself among the top performers in her cohort, propelled by a desire to elevate her craft to a professional level.

Upon graduating, Jackline wasn’t looking for a job; she was returning to one. Her sister, who had been managing the family salon, passed the baton to Jackline and was ready for its next phase. She made immediate upgrades to the salon, starting with the tools she received through the Ujuzi Manyattani program to redefine the customer experience. She replaced the small wall-mounted mirror with a full-sized one, added a blow dryer and a sink for improved hair treatment services, and hair clippers to begin offering barbering, an in-demand service in the area.

These changes might seem small, but they made a world of difference in both the quality of service she could provide and how customers viewed her business. She didn’t need to win the community’s trust from scratch. They already knew her first as the young girl helping around the salon, later as a trained stylist with new skills to offer. In Kiwanja, where only two other salons operate, competition is limited, and Jackline’s reputation gives her a natural edge. She’s precise, whether it’s lines for schoolgirls, plaits for weekend weddings, or a fresh shave for the boys, she does it all with passion, making sitting on her salon chair something to look forward to.

On a regular day, she sees four to five customers, though that number often rises during peak periods, such as school openings and community events. Her mother, still very much part of this evolving journey, often steps in to help during these high-traffic days. On a good day, Jackline can make anywhere from Ksh. 800 to Ksh. 3,000, depending on the number of customers she serves.

Now, her income is directed to savings, but she still manages to set something aside for her younger siblings’ pocket money and help out with the little things that add up in a household, such as restocking sugar when it runs out or picking up flour on her way home. Her entrepreneurial spirit also pushed her to start selling shoes, clothes, and beads from her salon, which is another way to earn extra money.

Jackline dreams of expanding her salon into a larger space to accommodate more customers and offer additional services.

Thanks to the funding support from Fauna and Flora, under the Darwin Initiative through the Northern Rangelands Trust (NRT).

Four Friends and A Vision: How Ujuzi Manyattani is Transforming Lives of Youth in Northern Kenya

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Business partnerships have long been a powerful force for success, allowing individuals to pool their strengths, share risks, and create something far greater than what could be achieved alone. In many ways, collaboration can be the cornerstone of building sustainable ventures, particularly in regions where access to resources and capital is limited.

Settled under the shade of an iron sheet roofing, a small team of young men huddles together, tools in hand, working on a motorbike – Shadrack Kinyanjui, Amos Legalhaile, Joram Lemirgichan & Daddy Lemerketo are Ujuzi Manyattani graduates who, with the support of Basecamp Foundation, completed a three-month training in motorcycle repair and maintenance.

Shadrack Kinyanjui, known by his Samburu moniker ‘Lekokoyo,’ was born and raised in Sereolipi. He is the drive behind this partnership, and before joining the program, he was a boda boda operator. His motorbike would often break down in remote areas, far from any garage, leaving him frustrated and stranded. Each time, he would incur additional costs for labor and transport of mechanics who had to come from far away. The worst part? He could do nothing about it. “There were times I would come across a fellow rider stuck in the middle of nowhere with a broken-down bike, but I couldn’t help them. I had no idea how to fix anything,” Shadrack recalls.

Driven by the desire to solve these problems, Shadrack yearned for skills that could help him and others in his community. When he heard about Ujuzi Manyattani, a program that brings vocational training directly to the communities, he jumped at the opportunity, a decision that turned out to be life-changing.
After graduating in June 2024, Shadrack didn’t just hold onto his toolkit—he had a bigger vision. Noticing a gap in qualified mechanics in his home area, he gathered his three friends, all fellow graduates from the course, and together, they set up a small garage for repair services outside an auto spares shop. “Working together has been a good decision,” Shadrack says. “Shared responsibilities and helping each other out. One may be good at wiring, while the other at fixing clutches.”

Shadrack repairs a motorcycle at their garage in Sereolipi, Samburu County

However, the path wasn’t easy. The young men faced skepticism from locals who hesitated to trust their expertise, fearing they were too new to the craft. But they’ve persisted, working hard to prove their worth. On good days, they receive 5-6 customers, earning around KES 1,000 per day each, while on slower days, they focus on smaller jobs like fixing punctures for KES 100. They also began offering mobile services, traveling to remote areas to fix bikes where other mechanics couldn’t reach. It’s this determination to serve their community that has slowly earned them a growing customer base.

Their business is still young, but their dreams are big. They’re currently training a fellow youth, passing on the skills learned through Ujuzi Manyattani. In the future, they dream of expanding their business, opening their own auto spares shop, and eventually establishing individual enterprises, continuing to grow and share in each other’s success.

What started as a three-month course has become a lifelong empowerment and entrepreneurship journey for these four young men. Through collaboration and a shared vision, they are not just fixing bikes but also breaking the cycle of poverty and unemployment in their community.

From Early Motherhood to Building a Life of Independence: Teresa’s Journey of Entrepreneurship and Growth

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In a remote village in Masol Conservancy, West Pokot County, Teresa Elolia is a renowned entrepreneur with a reputation growing as quickly as her ambitions. Growing up, her world revolved around family, but as the years passed, she realized that her passion could be something more. When an unexpected opportunity came her way, Teresa saw the chance to turn her skills into something tangible, setting her on a path she hadn’t anticipated.

Born into a modest household, her family provided a stable environment, allowing her to focus on what mattered most—education. However, Teresa’s life took an unexpected turn when she became pregnant in Grade 7 with her first child, yet despite the odds, she managed to complete her primary school education. But after joining Form 1, she soon became pregnant with her second child. Struggling to balance motherhood and education, Teresa made the difficult decision to drop out of school and focus on raising her children. At a young age, Teresa later met a man who fathered her third child. However, this relationship proved to be another challenge. The man, often lost in alcohol, could barely provide for the family. Left with no choice, Teresa parted ways with him and returned to her parents’ home.

With limited options and children to care for, Teresa began wondering how she could change her life’s trajectory. In 2022, through MashinaniWORKS’ Ujuzi Manyattani program, with the support of USAID, Teresa found hope. One of the local community members informed Teresa’s father, who didn’t hesitate to submit her name for enrollment. The beauty of Ujuzi Manyattani lay in its inclusivity—there were no education-level restrictions. Teresa eagerly chose to pursue catering, a craft she had always been passionate about.

Teresa, second row, first from the right during the Masol Ujuzi Manyattani graduation in 2022

“A few months into the training, I noticed a gap in the local market for baked goods like cakes, donuts, and mandazi, and I seized the opportunity,”

With just a packet of wheat flour and cooking oil, she prepared small batches and hawked them to nearby shops while juggling her studies. This helped her earn an income while getting popular for her services.

Upon graduating with her catering certificate and receiving a tool kit from the program, Teresa fully launched herself into the business world. Her catering skills allowed her to expand her offerings, and she soon started selling maize, beans, and sugar to local hotels, making around KES 12,000 from these sales alone. On a good day, Teresa’s catering business, including a mini hotel, brings in up to KES 6,000. Even on slower days, she can at least make KES 1,000—enough to sustain her family and ensure her children attend school. She no longer relies on her parents for financial support but also helps take care of her siblings; her stability has brought her a sense of independence she once only dreamed of.

With the growing settlement around the area, there has been increased competition in the local market, but the unique touch of her work and the skills she gained from Ujuzi Manyattani keep her ahead of the curve.

With dreams of expanding her business and even employing others, Teresa sees a future where her services are sought after far and wide. She also plans to invest in livestock, diversifying her income sources, and continually upgrading her skills to remain competitive.

Passion for Progress: Meet Amos Moyare of Tassia Lodge

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In the heart of Nadung’oro village, Lekurruki Community Conservancy, a remarkable tale of resilience and determination emerges. Meet Amos Moyare, who rose from humble beginnings to become a crucial asset of a prestigious lodge in northern Kenya. Raised by a single mother alongside six siblings, Amos faced significant financial challenges. Despite these hardships, his family rallied together, enabling him to pursue his education, with his elder brother becoming the family’s pillar of support.

Unlike the conventional image of young men from his community entangled in retrogressive practices such as cattle rustling and banditry, Amos defied stereotypes with his passion for education. He firmly believed education was key to unlocking a future free from poverty and other socioeconomic challenges.

Upon completing his secondary school education in 2011, Amos was at a crossroads. With no means to pursue further studies and faced with harsh living conditions, he courageously took on the role of a volunteer teacher at a local primary school while tirelessly seeking better opportunities.

Amos’s journey took an exhilarating turn when he became enthusiastic about pursuing a career in the tourism industry. His passion was ignited by the region’s diverse wildlife, stunning landscapes, and unique cultural experiences that led to the substantial development of a community-owned tourism facility nearby.

In July 2022, Amos secured an interview with Tassia Lodge, a perfect secluded getaway in Lekuruki Conservancy, and earned a well-deserved spot on the team. Undergoing extensive on-the-job training at Peaks Hotels in Nanyuki, Amos sharpened his hospitality management skills as a food and beverage waiter, preparing himself for the adventurous journey ahead.

Now a 33-year-old, Amos stands tall as he serves guests from all corners of the world. The interactions with these visitors bring him great joy, and the heartfelt appreciation he receives for his exceptional service is deeply rewarding. His role as an F&B waiter has sharpened his prowess and ushered in a newfound sense of financial stability. With his hard-earned income, Amos has established a shop for his wife, significantly contributing to their improved livelihood.

Working at Tassia Lodge has profoundly changed Amos’s life, transforming his outlook on life and shaping his dreams. It has allowed him to envision a future where he can invest in livestock rearing and secure assets, such as plots of land, and expand their business.

Looking ahead, Amos sees himself continuing to grow within the community-owned tourism sector, leveraging his experience and passion to build a sustainable future for himself and his family.

From Shadows of Crime to Illuminating Life Skills: Evans Echwa’s Journey From Banditry to Entrepreneurship

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A large, healthy livestock herd is a pastoralist’s pride and joy.

For indigenous pastoralist communities, it is the main currency, the only one that truly matters, culturally speaking. In the vast expanse of Nakuprat Gotu Conservancy, a young moran named Evans Echwa toiled in the fields, herding his family’s livestock for years. His journey, however, was far from the ordinary.

Echwa, a 26-year-old with a weathered spirit, dropped out of school at the tender age of class five, burdened by the responsibility of caring for his family’s cattle. Little did he know that his challenges would be as relentless as the scorching sun that beat down upon the arid land in northern Kenya.

Drought and banditry attacks became haunting shadows, casting uncertainty over his family’s livelihood. Preserving the cattle family’s only source of livelihood became critical. As pasture and water supplies dwindled, Echwa moved the herd further from home in search of grazing fields. Sometimes, he would cover distances of up to 100 kilometers to ensure the cattle were adequately fed and watered.

Echwa at his garage in Kiwanja, Nakuprat-Gotu Conservancy

A life without the livestock was unimaginable!

As northern Kenya endured its fifth consecutive failed rainy season, Echwa’s greatest fear became a reality when the prolonged drought eventually wiped out his family’s entire herd. Left with no alternative source of income and being a lower primary school dropout, Echwa and his family faced a grim future. 

Faced with shame and the weight of family blame, he embarked on a daring journey to recover what was lost. In a desperate bid for retribution, Echwa joined fellow morans and raided the neighboring community for livestock.

The fateful raid unfolded with a tragic climax -Echwa was shot alongside his fellow morans, and some of his comrades paid the ultimate price. The merciless bullets sprayed upon them did not spare his comrades’ lives.

His Turning Point!

Lucky to survive, Echwa nursed back to health in the sterile walls of a hospital, where he found himself at a crossroads. With the ghosts of the past crimes haunting him and the loss of his comrades weighing heavy on his conscience, he contemplated a new path for his life. One that diverged from the shadows of violence and into the realm of a better life.

Echwa and his fellow Ujuzi Manyattani trainees during a two-day Yamaha motorcycle training in 2022 courtesy of Toyota Kenya

Determined to rewrite his narrative, Echwa faced the uphill battle alone, without support for his newfound ambition. However, fate intervened during one of his idle days. In 2021, he discovered that NRT Trading Ujuzi Manyattani was organizing a sensitization meeting at Nakuprat Community Conservancy. The vocational programs offered by the organization offered a beacon of hope for people like him who were looking for an opportunity to better their lives through marketable skills.”

Undeterred by his lack of formal schooling, he applied, half-expecting rejection. To his surprise, the opportunity embraced him. “I applied for a course in motorcycle repair, and I was surprised to qualify even at my level,” recounts Echwa with a spark of gratitude in his eyes.

The next three months became a transformative journey as Evans immersed himself in the Ujuzi Manyattani vocational training program that places trainers in the villages. In April 2022, he emerged not just as a graduate but as a symbol of resilience, armed with startup tool kits and a newfound sense of purpose.

Echwa and his fellow trainees pose for a photo

Echwa established his garage in the heart of Kiwanja village, located in Isiolo County, within Nakuprat Gotu Conservancy. He sees his enterprise as a business and a force for positive change. “Running my own garage has given me a lot of focus in life. I am no longer dependent on banditry crimes to survive. My mind is now focused on how to expand my business and be of more help to my community and family,” he says.

Evans Echwa, once a herder bound by the trials of the land into banditry, is among the 88% of Ujuzi Manyattani graduates who have embarked on self-employment through setting up their businesses, hence earning an income to secure their livelihoods.

Wheels of Change: Building Futures through Ujuzi Manyattani

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Early last year, NRT Trading Ujuzi Manyattani held a graduation ceremony that marked a significant milestone for 337 women and youth from NRT member Community Conservancies of Nakuprat-Gotu, Nasuulu, Ltungai, Shurr, Jaldesa, and Songa in Isiolo, Samburu, and Marsabit Counties. These graduates had completed various vocational courses with the support of the USAID Local Works program, the Royal Danish Embassy, the Embassy of Sweden through the IMARA project, IUCN Save our Species co-funded by the European Union, The Nature Conservancy, and Northern Rangelands Trust.

Among the graduates was John Galwersi, a young man from Karare, Songa Conservancy, Marsabit County. Before joining Ujuzi Manyattani, John worked as a boda-boda operator, braving the elements to sustain himself and his family. However, long hours on the motorcycle began taking a toll on his health, leading him to seek alternatives. Fortunately, through the Songa Community Conservancy management, he learned about a vocational training program targeting women and youth from indigenous communities with marketable skills to diversify livelihoods and encourage entrepreneurship.

John receives start-up toolkits during the Ujuzi Manyattani graduation on April 6th, 2022

John enrolled in the motorcycle repair and maintenance course, envisioning it as an educational pursuit and the foundation for a future business. However, after completing his training and graduating, he struggled to secure a job but remained persistent. With the start-up toolkits he received during graduation, he put them to work and undertook a couple of attachment opportunities with skilled mechanics to increase his grip in repairing motorcycles. He occasionally searched for employment opportunities and set aside some modest earnings.

To fill a crucial gap in his community’s need for motorcycle repair services, John used his savings of KES 5,000 to establish an auto spares and motorcycle repair shop. He stocked it with essential items for motorbikes, such as engine oil, side mirrors, brake pads, and tubes. John would conduct tests on different motorcycle models and repair various motorcycle systems, including engines, transmissions, and brakes.

John’s journey didn’t stop with technical expertise. Biashara Mashinani provided him with tailored entrepreneurial and financial literacy training in business planning, analysis, risk management, branding, customer service, and record keeping. This comprehensive training paved the way for John to run a successful business and expand his services.

John repairs a tricycle outside his auto spares and motorcycle repair shop.

From his business dubbed “Johntes Auto Spares and Motorcycle Repair, John earns a daily income of between KES 1,000 and 5,000 and has also created job opportunities for other young individuals in his community. His mobile services also cater to customers who face challenges traveling to Karare town, contributing positively to the community’s convenience.

John has encountered some difficulties in his business journey. He has lost quite a lot of money to customers who promised to pay back the money after repair but disappeared without fulfilling their promise, resulting in significant losses. Additionally, since he often orders materials from other towns, they sometimes arrive damaged, forcing him to order new ones and incur unexpected expenses. These setbacks, however, have not deterred him.

From owning a box of tools to having a fully stocked auto spares shop, John’s decision to be self-employed was the best he could have made. He now runs his business smoothly while growing his skill set and knowledge, monitoring all the profits and losses, choosing what to outsource to others, and being his own boss!

John advises other young women and men to acquire skills and enroll in programs like Ujuzi Manyattani, which offers vocational skills to address market gaps and boost and diversify the livelihoods of women and youth without disrupting their normal ways of life.

John is among the 88% of Ujuzi Manyattani graduates who have embarked on self-employment through setting up their businesses, hence earning an income to secure their livelihoods.

Rising Beyond Terrorism Scars: Mumina’s Extraordinary Journey from Tragedy to Triumph

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Insecurity has long plagued Kenya’s northern and coastal regions, casting a shadow over the dreams of its residents and inflicting pain upon countless families. Yet amidst this adversity, there emerges an inspiring story of a 21-year-old that encapsulates resilience, determination, and an unyielding spirit.

In 2017, a young girl named Mumina Omar, then in seventh grade, embarked on her usual journey from the Mararani villages to Kiunga Primary School in Lamu County. Little did she know that this ordinary commute in search of education would forever alter the course of her life.

Mumina and her fellow pupils were en route to school when tragedy struck along Mararani to Kiunga road. Their vehicle unwittingly triggered a landmine planted by a militia group, resulting in a deafening explosion and a fiery inferno. Mumina vividly recalls the horrifying moment, “the only thing I remember is a big loud explosion followed by fire.”

Trapped in the Boni forest, their remote location delayed rescue efforts until late into the night, leaving four of her fellow pupils dead. However, Mumina was not rescued then, for the impact of the explosion catapulted her far from her peers. She spent a harrowing night alone in the forest, consumed by pain and fear, eventually lapsing into unconsciousness.

It wasn’t until 11:00 a.m. the following day that Mumina was discovered during a renewed search mission prompted by her family’s frantic report of her disappearance and rushed to Agha Khan Hospital in Mombasa. After two weeks, her condition failed to improve, and she was subsequently transferred to Kijabe Mission Hospital in Nairobi. Tragically, the extent of her injuries necessitated the amputation of one of her legs three months later.

Mumina showcasing her tailoring skills during a National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) assessment.

The loss of her leg had profound repercussions, affecting not only her education, dreams, and self-esteem but also her family resources. Yet, Mumina’s indomitable spirit prevailed. With the help of an artificial leg supported by a good samaritan, she returned to school in 2019, persevering through bouts of excruciating pain to complete her education up to form four.

After completing her secondary education, her pains anchored her within the walls of their home, where she dutifully assisted her parents with minor tasks, her aspirations for a brighter future seemingly constrained by her condition. In a twist of fate, Mumina’s path crossed with Ujuzi Manyattani in 2023, a program dedicated to empowering young men and women in marginalized communities through the support of the USAID Local Works program. The NRT Trading Coast regional Ujuzi Manyattani Coordinator encouraged her to enroll in the program, and that’s when she embarked on a three-month training in tailoring & dressmaking course. Despite her fears and doubts, through sheer determination and the unwavering support of her parents, trainer, and fellow trainees, Mumina learned to sew a wide array of clothes.

Today, as you observe Mumina gracefully operating a sewing machine pedal, you might mistake her for any other trainee in the class. But her story sets her apart. She uses just one leg to master the art of tailoring. This remarkable feat was born out of necessity, a necessity that arose from a fateful day in 2017.

Behind Mumina’s radiant smile and confidence at the sewing machine lies a heartbreaking journey transformed by newfound life skills. She defiantly declares that the militia groups may have robbed her of one of her legs, but they never robbed her of her destiny. Today, we celebrate Mumina Omar as she graduates and is issued with the startup tool kits through the support of the USAID Local Works Program alongside the other 30 trainees from Kiunga Community Conservancy.

Mumina’s story embodies the human spirit’s ability to rise above even the most daunting challenges of terrorism. It serves as an inspiring reminder that determination can conquer adversity and dreams can endure despite the darkest of days. Ujuzi Manyattani is a beacon of hope that empowers individuals like Mumina by imparting a diverse range of vocational skills, from vessel repair, mobile phone repair, catering, masonry, electrical installation to hairdressing and beauty therapy, and motorbike repair and maintenance in eight Counties of northern and Coastal Kenya.  

Mumina receiving her certificate during the Ujuzi Manyattani graduation held on 31/10/2023 in Kiunga Community Conservancy, Lamu County in Kenya.

To date, 1,102 young women and men have graduated with vocational skills training and have been issued startup tool kits to help them earn an income and secure their livelihoods. The graduates of Ujuzi Manyattani inject over KES 60 million annually into the local economy through income earned, as per an impact survey conducted in January 2023. The survey further reveals that at least 88% of our graduates embarked on self-employment through setting up their businesses.

Sketching Idea into Livelihood – Batuli’s Journey to Self-reliance

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Faza Village on Pate Island, nestled within the breathtaking Lamu archipelago, we meet Batuli Bwanakombo, a 23-year-old in her mini boutique sorting out a new stock of clothes, choosing which ones are best and most attractive for display with the help of her husband.

Batuli’s story is one of resilience, borne from her mother’s valiant struggle to provide for their family’s needs while balancing the weight of her school tuition. Despite completing her primary education, Batuli’s academic performance fell below expectations, dashing her dreams of pursuing higher learning. Hope seemed lost as Batuli found herself confined to the walls of her home, assisting her mother with household chores. However, destiny had other plans. A suitor arrived at their doorstep, seeking Batuli’s hand in marriage, and she accepted. Yet, the union failed to alter her circumstances; instead, it blessed her with motherhood but no means of income.

Batuli’s desire to improve her financial situation led her to seek business training from NRT Trading Biashara Mashinani on business idea generation and life skills. Through this training, Batuli acquired the knowledge and insights to navigate the intricacies of running a successful business. Determined to change their fortune, Batuli engaged her husband in an earnest discussion, sketching ideas to generate income. A gleam of inspiration emerged as they envisioned a retail clothing business, and they embraced this idea wholeheartedly. With newfound confidence and a solid foundation in business practices, they acquired a humble abode and adorned it with a dazzling collection of stylish, brand-new garments suitable for all genders.

In 2021, Batuli was among the beneficiaries from Pate to receive a loan of 25,000 shillings from the Northern Rangelands Sacco (NR Sacco) through its Biashara Mashinani program. Through hard work and diligence, she promptly repaid the loan and was awarded an additional 50,000 shillings, which she invested in expanding her business and diversifying her stock. Batuli’s boutique became a beacon of fashion for men seeking trousers, shirts, and shoes, particularly during festive occasions, where she could earn a remarkable 5,000 shillings daily. She consistently garners a respectable income of approximately 1,200 shillings on regular days.

The transformative power of Biashara Mashinani’s business training breathed new life into Batuli’s entrepreneurial journey, profoundly influencing her boutique’s success. Grateful for the knowledge gained, she humbly acknowledges her growth and evolution, “I have gained valuable knowledge from NRT Trading on how to make my business thrive. I have been putting aside funds for unforeseen circumstances and expansion, being more courteous to my customers, and organizing my collections more effectively. Additionally, I have made a conscious effort to maintain a high level of cleanliness in my store, which has become an additional boon, enhancing my reputation and attracting more customers,” Batuli explains.

She is thankful to NRT Trading for the financial support and invaluable skills training propelling her business to new heights. Buoyed by this encouragement, she eagerly envisions the future, setting her sights on establishing a wholesale shop serving people locally and beyond.

With the conservation efforts of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) in the coastal region of Kenya like Lamu, a balance has been fostered between environmental conservation and sustainable economic development by creating opportunities for individuals like Batuli to pursue their dreams, contribute to the local economy, and inspire others to believe in their potential.

Batuli is a testament to the indomitable spirit of an aspiring entrepreneur who, against all odds, triumphed over adversity and carved her path to success. Her story echoes through the island, inspiring others to believe in their dreams and seize opportunities in wait.

NRT Trading Biashara Mashinani is Changing Lives in Northern Kenya: Meet Charles Kibet!

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Meet Charles Kibet Loyatoman, a young entrepreneur from Masol Conservancy in West Pokot County. After finishing his primary and secondary education, he faced financial difficulties that prevented him from pursuing a university education. This was a devastating setback as he dreamed of becoming a successful entrepreneur. However, he excelled in his high school business studies and remained optimistic that he could succeed.

In 2020, Charles moved to his current hometown, Orwa, where he developed a business idea. With a small amount of capital accumulated from casual employment, he opened a small barber shop offering phone charging services. This venture was his primary source of income for a year until he was introduced to the Biashara Mashinani program for entrepreneurship training.

“I was excited when I learned about the NRT Trading business training, which was forthcoming through our conservancy management. It was a stroke of luck because I needed guidance since I had just ventured into business,” Charles said.

Charles attended the three-day module 1 business training with great enthusiasm. He was also fortunate to be among the entrepreneurs who received a loan worth KES 25,000 from the  Rangelands SACCO. In early 2021, he invested the money into establishing an agro-vet shop because he noticed a void that required filling. 

“I saw a lack of agro-vet shops in my community. I consulted experts on the dosage and the right drug for precise specifications and opened a shop. Now, I can attest that my customers have given me positive feedback on how my shop is helping their livestock be free from worms, reduce disease rate, and have good feeding contrary to when this business was not there,” Charles happily exclaimed.

Biashara Mashinani has also taught Charles the importance of diversifying his income. In addition to his agro-vet shop, Charles also sells all-gender clothes, which he claims are in high demand, especially during the rainy season. This was after his agro-vet business recorded slow growth and income because of the low demand rate during the prolonged drought in northern Kenya.

In 2022, Charles again appreciated the Rangelands SACCO as he used his savings of 35,000 shillings to set up a retail shop in Orwa town due to the high demand for essential household commodities. He added 50,000 shillings to establish phase two of a much more extensive and well-stocked retail shop

Recently, 27-year-old Charles was among the 40-star entrepreneurs trained further in business skills through the Biashara Mashinani program. He attributes his success to his desire for knowledge and consistency in training attendance.

 “It is through NRT Trading that I learned good financial habits like saving; now I have a savings account that has helped me during emergencies and to expand my businesses. Running these businesses simultaneously has been easy since I can keep records and monitor the progress,” he adds.

His businesses have him smiling to the bank, generating a monthly income of over 60,000 shillings, bringing him joy and satisfaction.

Charles has created employment for one youth in his businesses and hopes to create more opportunities and inspire other youths in his community to start their businesses.