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.