When Silvia Awino joined United Kenya Rising (UKR) just over a year ago, life was far from easy. Although she is married, her husband works far away in Mombasa as a casual laborer earning very little, leaving Silvia to take on the full responsibility of caring for their family back home in Kakamega.
As a mother and the primary provider, she faced daily pressure to meet her children’s needs with limited skills and opportunities. “Before UKR, it was hard to put food on the table and even difficult to pay my children’s school fees” she shares.
“But since joining UKR, everything has changed and today, we are able to have two to three meals a day and my children attend school regularly, we are very happy.”
Silvia had a strong interest in hairdressing, but her skills were still basic and she had not received formal training. Through discussions with the UKR team, they identified a practical and flexible training opportunity within an established business that suited her circumstances, allowing her to build her skills while continuing to manage her responsibilities as a mother and primary provider for her family.
At the same time, UKR supported Silvia to begin setting up her own business at home. “Through UKR I was able to get the essential things to start which included a blow-dry machine, a water heating kettle, and a hair washing sink,” she explains.
With these tools, she established a small semi-permanent salon within her compound. Access to electricity was also made possible, enabling her to work more efficiently and serve clients better.
Her initiative is already making a difference in her community. “People around here don’t have to go far to get these services,” she says. “And it helps me stay close to home so I can also manage other things like farming.” What began as a simple skill is steadily becoming a reliable source of income and independence.
Beyond the business, Silvia speaks deeply about how her overall life has improved. “I now have a house that is spacious enough for my family,” she shares. “I received a water filter and a water tank, so we have safe and enough water. I also have a good mattress, a blanket, and a mosquito net so I can now sleep comfortably.”
For her, one of the most meaningful changes is the stability it has brought to her children. “My children are now supported in education,” she says, reflecting on a future that feels more secure than before.
The income she is already earning from her work is beginning to make a meaningful difference in her daily life. It helps her cover transport costs to attend her training consistently, contributes to putting food on the table, and supports some of her children’s school needs.
Looking ahead, Silvia’s vision continues to grow. “In three to five years, I want to expand into a bigger salon,” she says. “I also want to add services like barbering, pedicure, and manicure because where I train, I am learning all these skills.”
Her ambition goes beyond business she hopes to build long-term security for her family. “Through this business, I want to sustain all my family’s needs and support my children even after leaving the program,” she adds. “I also look forward to buying land. I trust in God that I will manage if I work hard.”
Silvia’s journey reflects a transformation built on both opportunity and determination. With the right support and her own commitment, she is steadily moving from uncertainty toward stability and self-reliance. “I am so grateful to UKR for holding my hand through this journey,” she says. “I will continue working hard for my success. May God bless UKR.”
