This is an organisation set up under the Mustard Seed Foundation to empower mainly women, but also youth, to fight for their rights and to give them the skills and knowledge to make them independent. 

Although under Kenyan law women have equal rights, in reality these are ignored and old tribal laws based on a patriarchal society are used. In a male dominated society they suffer abuse, beatings, rapes and are often abandoned with the children.  Domestic violence is endemic.   They suffer the worst property laws in Africa and lose all their property rights if they leave their husband.

Women are the future for Kenya.  They are the main breadwinners in most families; they are the ones that strive everyday to put food on the table. Most women do not have permanent jobs and rely on their inbuilt ingenuity and survival instincts to exist.

There is a tradition in Kenya of women creating small self-help groups to support each other.  It is these established groups that are the basis of our pilot programme to empower women and give them the confidence, training and support to claim their rights.

Some of the women with their children

170 women and 30 youth are enrolled on a business-training course that will enable them to start small businesses.  They are also encouraged to save so that they have a small reserve for the really difficult times. 

More