For vulnerable women in Mathare, the journey toward rebuilding their lives continues beyond trauma healing and resilience-building to include practical opportunities for economic independence. Through a business skills training and livelihood empowerment initiative held on October 15–16, 2026, ALARM Kenya is helping women translate renewed hope into sustainable livelihoods.

The two-day training equipped participants with practical knowledge to start, manage, and strengthen small businesses. Building on ALARM Kenya’s previous work in trauma awareness, healing, and resilience, the initiative recognizes that lasting recovery also requires opportunities for women to regain economic independence, support their families, and rebuild their sense of purpose.

Equipping Women with Practical Business Skills

During the training, participants explored the fundamentals of small business management, including pricing, sales, costs, profits, marketing, and record-keeping. Through practical examples drawn from everyday business activities, the women learned how to track income and expenses, set appropriate prices, attract customers, and make informed financial decisions.

The interactive sessions encouraged participants to share experiences, ask questions, and learn from one another. These practical lessons are intended to help the women apply sound business practices as they establish or strengthen their individual enterprises.

Tailored Support for 28 Women

Following the training, ALARM Kenya conducted individual assessments to understand each woman’s interests, existing skills, business plans, and livelihood needs. This process helped identify support pathways suited to the women’s circumstances and aspirations.

A total of 28 women were identified for livelihood empowerment support:

• 25 women received USD 50 each in business start-up or boost capital, totaling USD 1,250. The funds will help them purchase initial stock, replenish inventory, or meet essential business start-up costs.
• Three women were enrolled in a three-month vocational training programme in hairdressing and beauty, with a total training investment of USD 600, including training materials.

The small businesses identified include selling second-hand clothes and shoes, fruits and vegetables, tea and snacks, household food items, groundnuts and sweets, bedsheets and handbags, as well as operating small food kiosks and producing beadwork.

For the three women pursuing vocational training, the programme offers an opportunity to acquire practical, marketable skills that may lead to employment or self-employment upon completion.

By matching support to individual needs, ALARM Kenya is creating opportunities for women to build on their existing abilities while exploring new pathways to income generation.

Connecting Healing, Resilience, and Economic Empowerment

ALARM Kenya’s work in Mathare is guided by the understanding that recovery from trauma involves more than emotional healing alone. Women also need opportunities to rebuild confidence, regain a sense of purpose, and develop the means to support themselves and their families.

The initiative reflects three interconnected stages: healing, resilience, and sustainable livelihoods.

The journey began by creating opportunities for women to acknowledge their experiences and receive support in their recovery. It progressed to strengthening their emotional, spiritual, and social resilience. The current focus on economic empowerment builds on that foundation by equipping women with business knowledge, vocational skills, and practical opportunities to pursue greater financial independence.

Although the initial business capital is modest, it provides a starting point from which the women can begin or strengthen their enterprises. Combined with the knowledge gained through training, the support offers an opportunity to put new skills into practice and progressively improve household economic security.

Walking Alongside Women for Lasting Change

ALARM Kenya recognizes that sustainable livelihoods require continued encouragement, practical guidance, and accountability. The project volunteer working closely with the women will provide regular follow-up, while ALARM Kenya staff will conduct periodic field visits to monitor business progress, assess how the support is being used, and identify emerging challenges.

The follow-up process will also encourage responsible financial management, strengthen record-keeping practices, and track the progress of the women undertaking vocational training. Lessons learned and emerging success stories will help inform continued support for the participants.

This ongoing accompaniment reflects ALARM Kenya’s commitment to ensuring that livelihood support is not simply a one-time intervention, but a foundation on which women can continue to build their skills, businesses, and confidence.

Investing in Hope and Self-Reliance

ALARM Kenya extends its sincere gratitude to the partners and donors whose support has made this intervention possible. Their investment is helping women in Mathare move beyond trauma recovery toward practical opportunities for economic empowerment and greater self-reliance.

As the women begin applying their new business skills and pursuing vocational training, ALARM Kenya remains committed to walking alongside them through continued engagement, monitoring, and encouragement.

Together, we are nurturing a journey from trauma to healing, from healing to resilience, and from resilience to hope, productivity, and sustainable empowerment—one woman, one family, and one community at a time.