Women Business Hub's -Trade Over Aid (TOA) Initiative Progress in 2025

Trade Over Aid (TOA) is Women Business Hub’s practical pathway from aid-dependency to trade-driven dignity. In Kisumu, TOA is implemented in partnership with Inua Village SACCO (IVS) – Kisumu Branch. Women Business Hub leads community mobilization, mentorship, and enterprise training for young women entrepreneurs and non-binary youth, while IVS provides the regulated financial rails: member onboarding, passbooks, share capital, and safe savings channels via mobile money and in-branch services.

This partnership operationalizes TOA’s model: mobilize youth cohorts, help them formalize membership (registration and passbooks), build ownership (share capital), and cultivate continuous savings habits aligned to enterprise goals. The SACCO’s cooperative structure protects member funds and fosters disciplined growth; WBH’s mentorship and market-linkages translate that savings into enterprise resilience and revenue.

Participation and gender engagement in TOA (Kisumu, Sep–Dec 2025)

Between September and December 2025, the Trade Over Aid (TOA) Initiative recorded Ksh 20,000 in member registrations, representing approximately 40 new entrants at the standard rate of Ksh 500 per member. This cohort reflects strong grassroots traction and growing interest in TOA’s inclusive economic empowerment model. Gender engagement during this period was led by female youth, who comprised approximately 65% of registered members (28 unique individuals). Male youth accounted for the remaining 35%, with 12 unique participants. These figures underscore TOA’s success in mobilizing young women while highlighting opportunities to further engage male and non-binary youth in future outreach efforts.

Risper Auma’s Journey: From Street Vendor to Homeowner and Mentor

 

For over a decade, Risper Auma walked the streets of Kisumu selling fresh vegetables from a woven basket. Each day began before sunrise, and every coin she earned was carefully tucked away—not just for survival, but for a dream. She envisioned a home of her own, a place where her children could grow up with dignity and stability.

Risper Auma joined a local savings and credit cooperative society, where she began contributing small amounts weekly. Through discipline and determination, she built up her savings and eventually qualified for a loan. With that support, she purchased a modest piece of land and began building her home—brick by brick, hope by hope.

Today, Risper Auma stands proudly in her garden, feeding chickens beside the house she built. Her children are thriving in school, with graduation just around the corner. But Risper Auma’s story doesn’t end with her own success. She is now a community mentor with Women Business Hub, guiding other women through the journey of property ownership. She shares practical advice, savings strategies, and emotional encouragement—reminding them that dignity is not given, it’s built.

Risper Auma remains an active member of her cooperative, not just as a saver, but as a leader. Her story is a testament to the power of perseverance, community support, and the belief that trade—not aid—can transform lives.

 

From Pet Rabbits to Purpose: Omondi’s Journey

 

 Omondi never imagined that the rabbits he once kept for fun would become the key to rebuilding his future. Growing up in rural Kenya, his favorite subject in school was agriculture. He loved learning about animals, crops, and the rhythms of the land. But when the time came to join high school, financial hardship closed that door. With no scholarship and no fees, Omondi stayed home—disappointed, but not defeated.

“I started rearing rabbits for fun,” he recalls. “Just like having a pet.”

At first, it was a way to stay busy, a quiet joy in the midst of uncertainty. He built simple cages, fed his rabbits with greens from the garden, and watched them multiply. But everything changed the day a friend invited him to a youth meeting organized by Women Business Hub.

“I was shocked to learn that rabbits can be raised for making money,” Omondi says.

That moment sparked something in him. He didn’t have the capital to start large-scale farming, but he had rabbits—and a new vision. He began improving his cages, learning about breeding, and connecting with local buyers. Slowly, his hobby turned into a hustle.

Today, Omondi has sold over 30 mature rabbits for meat, earning $12 each and making a total of $360. It’s more than just income—it’s dignity, direction, and proof that passion can be a foundation for progress.

“Now my life will have a meaning,” he says with quiet pride.

 

Empowering Transitions: Women Business Hub’s Career Planning Forum for Adolescent and Young People (AYPs)

In a shaded outdoor setting filled with anticipation and reflection, Women Business Hub (WBH) convened an open forum designed to engage Adolescent and Young People (AYP) who had recently completed their secondary education. The gathering, held under the trees beside a community building, brought together a diverse group of young individuals seated in semi-circles—some fresh from high school, others preparing for the next chapter in college. This was more than a meeting; it was a moment of collective pause, a bridge between adolescence and adulthood, and a space for honest dialogue about dreams, uncertainties, and possibilities.

The forum’s primary goal was to help AYPs articulate their expectations and anxieties as they transitioned from the structured life of high school into the open terrain of adulthood. WBH facilitators encouraged participants to share their hopes, fears, and questions about the future. These conversations revealed a rich tapestry of ambition—from aspirations to become engineers, artists, and entrepreneurs, to concerns about financial constraints, lack of guidance, and limited access to opportunities.

In response, the Women Business Hub team presented a practical and inspiring roadmap. They introduced three key pathways that AYPs could explore immediately: online studies, community voluntarism, and talent search initiatives. Each option was framed not just as a stopgap, but as a strategic step toward long-term growth.

Online studies were highlighted as a flexible and affordable way to continue learning, especially for those awaiting college admission or seeking to build skills in areas like digital marketing, coding, or entrepreneurship. WBH shared platforms and resources, emphasizing how digital education could open doors to global knowledge and certification.

Community voluntarism was presented as a powerful tool for self-discovery and civic engagement. By contributing to local projects—whether in health, education, or environmental conservation—AYPs could build networks, gain experience, and develop leadership skills. WBH underscored how volunteering cultivates empathy, resilience, and a sense of purpose, all essential traits for future professionals.

The talent search segment sparked particular excitement. WBH encouraged participants to identify and nurture their unique gifts—be it music, sports, writing, or innovation. They shared stories of young people who had turned hobbies into careers and offered guidance on how to access mentorship, competitions, and creative platforms.

Throughout the forum, WBH’s approach was participatory and affirming. Facilitators listened deeply, responded with warmth, and created a safe space for honest reflection. The presence of speakers, interactive sessions, and peer-to-peer exchanges made the event dynamic and memorable. It wasn’t just about giving information—it was about igniting agency.

By the end of the day, many AYPs left with renewed clarity and confidence. They had not only explored career options but also begun to see themselves as active architects of their future. The open forum exemplified WBH’s commitment to inclusive empowerment, bridging the gap between education and opportunity with empathy, strategy, and community spirit.

  

From Job Seeker to Pig Farming Pioneer: The JJ-Pig Farm Story

 

For over a decade, Jared Owino, a university graduate and father of six, searched tirelessly for formal employment. Each year brought new applications, interviews, and disappointments. But the breakthrough he longed for wasn’t in an office — it was waiting for him at home.

In 2022, Jared’s wife Judith, a resilient vegetable vendor and member of a local women’s savings group, introduced him to the Women Business Hub (WBH). She had a vision: to turn their backyard pig pen into a thriving enterprise. With her encouragement, Jared agreed to manage the farm full-time. Using Judith’s savings and a US$2,000 loan facilitated through WBH’s Trade Over Aid Initiative, they launched JJ-Pig Farm.

What began with a handful of piglets quickly grew into a disciplined, high-yield operation. Jared brought structure, record-keeping, and daily oversight. Judith handled feed sourcing, budgeting, and reinvestment. Together, they built a business rooted in trust, grit, and shared purpose.

By late 2025, JJ-Pig Farm had crossed the 1 million Kenyan shilling mark in cumulative sales. Their pigs supplied local markets, schools, and butcheries. Now, they’re preparing to open branded pork meat outlets and restaurants across Kisumu and neighbouring towns — a bold step in diversifying their family income.

“All our children MUST learn farming as our family investment,” Jared and Judith insist. “Even if they pursue other careers, they must understand the value of what we’ve built.”

Jared reflects on his journey with humility and clarity:

“I wasted 10 years chasing unknown opportunities. My success was waiting for me in farming. Judith’s small vegetable business and her savings group taught me that success isn’t about having a degree — it’s about having the right mindset, passion, and total commitment.”

Today, JJ-Pig Farm stands as a testament to what happens when families become true business partners. Jared and Judith credit WBH for turning their lives around — not just financially, but in dignity, purpose, and legacy.

Brenda Awino: Forging Her Future in Steel

  

In the heart of Kisumu, where the clang of metal often echoes the rhythm of men at work, 27-year-old Brenda Awino is rewriting the script. While many of her peers gravitated toward careers in beauty therapy, hospitality, or salon work—paths often deemed “suitable” for women—Brenda chose the fire, grit, and precision of welding.

Her decision wasn’t just about passion. It was about purpose. “What men can do, women can do too,” Brenda says, her voice steady with conviction. “I want to break the status quo—where women are categorized only as beauty pageants. The world needs bold and courageous women. I am one of them.”

Brenda’s journey began with a single spark—literally. Watching a welder craft a steel door outside her neighborhood, she saw not just metal being shaped, but opportunity. She enrolled in a local technical training program, often the only woman in her class, and faced skepticism from instructors and peers alike. But Brenda didn’t flinch. She welded through the doubt.

Today, she’s building more than doors and windows—she’s building a movement.

Her dream is to own a full-fledged welding and metal fabrication workshop, a space where young women can learn, earn, and lead. She envisions a future where girls in Kisumu and beyond see welding not as a man’s job, but as a gateway to independence and innovation.

Brenda’s story is not just about breaking barriers. It’s about forging new ones—for others to cross.

My Journey to Self-Reliance through Women Business Hub – Trade Over Aid (TOA) Initiative

 

My name is James Kozi, a 23-year-old from Kisumu. I grew up as an orphan under the care of my grandmother in Ugenya. After her passing, I faced rejection from my uncles, who sent me away to search for a father I had never known. With nowhere else to turn, I moved to Kisumu in search of work. It was a difficult time, as I had no qualifications and opportunities were scarce.

It was during this struggle that I encountered the Women Business Hub through their Trade Over Aid (TOA) Initiative. At first, I was skeptical. What kept me attending their meetings was something simple—tea and mandazi, which at least gave me a meal. Over time, however, I became inspired by listening to others share their stories of resilience and hope. I realized I, too, could build a future for myself.

I chose a simple idea: becoming a barber. What started as curiosity soon grew into passion. The TOA team mentored me, arranged an attachment where I learned professional shaving skills, and provided me with equipment to start my own business. Through their guidance, I not only gained practical skills but also the confidence to run a business.

Today, I operate my own barbershop (kinyozi) and continue to learn every day. Once I complete repaying my initial loan, I plan to apply for a larger one to expand my business. My dream is to grow this enterprise so that I can employ other young people like me—those who are struggling without jobs—and give them the same chance I was given to build a dignified life. 

Dorcas’s Journey of Dignity and Growth through Women Business Hub - Trade Over Aid (TOA) Initiative

When Dorcas first walked into the Women Business Hub orientation, she carried more than just hope—she carried the weight of responsibility. With two young children depending on her, and a dream of running her own shop, the Ksh 50,000 loan was more than money; it was a lifeline.

She remembers the first day vividly: sitting in the financial literacy session, learning how to budget and save. Signing the loan agreement felt like signing a promise to her children—that life would change. With her first tranche of Ksh 15,000, Dorcas stocked sugar, soap, and maize flour. Each sale was a step closer to dignity.

Within weeks, she was repaying faithfully. But more importantly, she was proving to herself that she could manage credit responsibly. When she qualified for the second tranche, Dorcas expanded into farming inputs. Neighbors began to rely on her shop not just for household goods, but for seeds and fertilizer that sustained their families.

Her progress report wasn’t just numbers—it was a story of resilience. She showed mentors her ledger, her savings contributions, and her growing customer base. By the time she received the final tranche of Ksh 20,000, Dorcas had doubled her stock, negotiated better supplier prices, and built a business that was no longer fragile, but thriving.

Today, Dorcas has cleared her loan. She stands eligible for a larger credit line, but more importantly, she stands taller in her community. Her children’s school fees are paid on time. Her Neighbors see her as a role model. And donors can see in her story the power of structured support: a staircase of empowerment where each step is earned, and each milestone celebrated.