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In Kenya many women have struggled through poverty with only one option available to them as they raise their children alone without assistance. Known in Kenya as sex-workers – prostitutes – they work selling the only thing they have available to sell – their own bodies.
Finally, there are efforts being made to assist these women. WomenTeachingWomen is collaborating with several micro finance lending organizations to help these women start legitimate businesses and to improve their lives. While many of these women are being helped with this program, there are still many that only know the trade of prostitution as a way of earning a living. They are either unaware that these programs exist or they do not know how to access them.
One of the women who has benefited for the services of WomenTeachingWomen is Latifia Bunbi, a thirty-year-old mother and former commercial sex worker who now owns her own restaurant in Nairobi. In addition to being a prostitute, Latifia had lived in the streets for many years and been involved in all kinds of serious and petty crimes. She had been jailed several times and had been involved in drug trafficking. Now Latifia lives a new life and can take care of her children. She is also a respected member of her community and tries to help other women to change their lives.
Women make up a majority of the poor in Kenya. They live in slums such as Mathare Valley (one of the oldest slums in Kenya). There are 200,00 people that currently live in Mathare Valley, a narrow strip of land. Living in small spaces that often measure no more than 10x10 feet. Eighty-five percent of the people living in the Valley are single mothers. They have no running water and the women and children suffer from malnutrition and a variety of diseases. Crime, prostitution and lawlessness are a common reality in the Mathare Valley slum and other similar areas around Kenya.
When given the opportunity to receive business training, micro loans and technical support to start businesses these women are diligent and successful. The average micro loan in Kenya today ranges from $700 to $1500 and is used as direct capital for the woman to start a business. With proper training and help these loans are paid back and opportunities for women to borrow larger amounts of money is made available. Empowerment, self-worth and training are an essential part of the success of our programs.
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