Women’s mentorship, whether informal or formal, is a powerful force for economic empowerment in rural Kenyan villages. It fosters shared knowledge, resources and opportunities that can uplift entire communities.

‘I have been part of the groups supported by So They Can — I have visited various groups engaging in different activities like table banking, farming and merry go round, and the organisations impact can be felt. Today, women have knowledge of initiating and running successful businesses, and members can apply for and receive loans within their groups comfortably’. 

Jacinta, Wezesha Business Skills Project Mentor in Nakuru who mentors 13 women’s groups. She graduated from So They Can’s Wezesha Business Skills project in 2016, and is now a successful small business owner of poultry, vegetables and home-made soap.

1,595 women in Nakuru and Baringo have benefitted from So They Can’s business skills training. These are women, who through their local women’s groups, support and mentor one another for business and personal success. Now, we are seeing how that trust and confidence in one another, changes lending habits.

In 2024, there was a decrease in loans disbursed directly by So They Can. We are now seeing that increasingly women are lending directly through their women’s groups, and each other.

In support of this shift, So They Can introduced formal mentorship in 2024. 3 women, graduates from our Wezesha Business Skills Program (WBSP), were formally trained as Mentors. In their roles they visit the women’s groups in person, participate in our WBSP trainings with women, and report quarterly with our Program Officers. This year, there will be 2 more mentors in Baringo and Grace is excited to be one of them.

‘Through the training I received last year, I was able to secure a job as a Matron in one of the secondary schools in Marigat in Baringo County. Today, I run the school vegetable business.  I also visit women’s groups, encourage the women to have confidence in what they do, and have their space in the traditionally patriarchal families.’ 

Grace, new Wezesha Business Skills Project Mentor in Baringo