Safe futures - self-reliance for 675 Kenyan girls

Dear friends and supporters,

Your loyal support is helping hundreds of girls and young women gain the skills they need to get a safe job or set up a sustainable business, via our pioneering Seed of Hope programme. Thanks to you, these young women can break themselves free from the cycle of poverty, uplifting their families and communities as they rise. 

This year so far we have enrolled 628 young women, 180 of whom are young mothers.

Around 50% of these young women are studying Entrepreneurship, Finance and Computer skills (EFC). This 2 month short course gives students the skills they need to set up a business of their own. This includes learning how to budget and manage figures, as well as how to use computers and digital technology; without these skills, in the modern world young people would be unable to successfully market their business or connect with customers, further trapping them in poverty.

For recent EFC student Emily (name changed), EFC has been transformational : “Every lesson teaches me that I’m more capable than I thought. Technology is no longer strange; it’s my language.”

Mental Health: the hidden key to overcoming poverty

10th October 2025 was World Mental Health Day, a brilliant opportunity for us to shout about why free counselling and wellbeing support is an essential part of the Seed of Hope programme.

An amazing 429 students have benefited so far this year from having individual counselling sessions at Seed of Hope.

Poverty, inequality and/or exploitation are in themselves traumatic experiences. Many girls and young women have worried about the availability of food or the family budget for much of their lives. For others, there is complex emotional disruption at home, caused by the strain of poverty and inequality on their families and wider community. In Murang’a county for example, where our Seed of Hope Kariti centre is based;

• Alcoholism affects 45% of families*
• Domestic violence affects 54% of women aged 15 to 49, 20% higher than the national average**.

Girls and young women are disproportionately impacted. Poverty can mean they’re forced into early marriage and motherhood, or they face gender-based violence and exploitation. That's why we provide free counselling for students.

One anonymous Seed of Hope student told us:

“Counselling helped me look at life differently. I began to understand that even though life throws challenges, I have the power to face them and find solutions. I realised that with the skills I was learning, I could start offering services and earn money to support myself. Today, I’m a different person. I am full of life, confidence, and joy. I feel healed, emotionally and mentally. Seed of Hope didn’t just teach me a skill, it gave me my dignity, my voice, and a second chance at life.”

You can read more in our article Why Tackling Mental Health Is Essential for Youth to Break Free from Poverty.

Practical support for girls

We are delighted to share that so far this year, the local experts at Seed of Hope have provided:

• 65,443 nutritious lunches
• 1,892 period packs
• 575 childcare vouchers

For current student Teresia, childcare vouchers have been a lifeline:

“I joined Seed of Hope when my baby was just three months old, and now she’s one year old. The childcare voucher has been a great support — it’s helped me care for my baby’s wellbeing and even cover transport to school. This support has made it possible for me to continue my training while raising my child.”

Thank you for standing with young women and girls in Kenya - we are so grateful for your support!

With love and gratitude,

Keely and the team