International Rescue Committee (IRC)

VOICES FROM THE FIELDTHE IRC BLOG

Photo: Made by women’s hands, Kenya

Left to right: IRC women’s protection and empowerment officer Ruth Kimaathi, IRC supervisor Sadia Diriye, trainee Mumina Mohamed and trainer Mariam Hassan with colorful baskets, tie-dyed dresses and other products made by Somali women living in Kenya’s Dadaab refugee complex.

Photo: Sophia Jones-Mwangi/IRC

A small group of Somali women traveled some 300 miles by road from the world’s largest refugee camp to Kenya’s bustling capital this week to take part in the annual Nairobi International Trade Fair.  They were there to show off their handmade products — and to look for new business opportunities. 

Decades of violent conflict at home in Somalia have left many women now living in Kenya’s Dadaab refugee complex the sole providers for their families. The International Rescue Committee offers support to women in Dadaab that includes training in weaving, dressmaking, tailoring and other marketable skills to help them become financially independent.  After completing counseling and a three-month training course, each woman is equipped with skills and know-how that will help her earn money to pay for her children’s schooling and other things the family needs.
 
“Coming to Nairobi has given them a wider perspective,” says the IRC’s Ruth Kimaathi, who coaches the Somali women in turning their new skills into sustainable businesses. 
 
New entrepreneur Mumina Mohamed, energized by her first visit to Nairobi, agrees. “I’m so happy to be here because I have learned so much. This has given us ideas to diversify.”  
 
After making the rounds at the trade fair, Mumina and the other women are already thinking about new business ventures to start back in Dadaab. One of them? A bakery.
1 comment

Comments

hi to all IRC family

hi to all IRC family including me i am very pleased to here about our ladies who went there wish them success. 

Post new comment

The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly.
Type the characters you see in this picture. (verify using audio)
Type the characters you see in the picture above; if you can't read them, submit the form and a new image will be generated. Not case sensitive.

ABOUT THIS BLOG        COMMENT GUIDELINES        DONATE        ARCHIVE