From Dreamer To Doer: The Story Of Pauline Njeri – A Young Entrepreneur

Growing up in Mathare North, Pauline Mukami Njeri, 21, was always interested in supporting her community. She would find initiatives focusing on health and education and put her energy into making sure they are successful and impactful. The trend continued even in school, where she was the captain of the Health Club, and later in her neighbourhood, where she registered as a member of Mathare North Youth Organization (MANYO).

MANYO is one of the Vijana Vuka na Afya (VIVA)-supported YECs in Nairobi County that DSW identified for training of members on how to provide peer education on sexuality and reproductive health. Pauline was selected to be one of the Peer Educators.

“Pauline has always been passionate about bringing to light, through her networks, issues young girls and women experience that limit their potential. That is the reason the YEC recommended her to be part of the VIVA program,” the YEC leader, Evans Rowa, says.

Through the training, Pauline not only gained valuable knowledge but also developed leadership and communication skills.

“I love being a peer educator. It gives me joy knowing that I can influence my peers positively through the sessions I conduct,” she says.

Inspired by her experience, Pauline realized the importance of economic independence for young women and girls like herself. Determined to create opportunities for herself, she expressed interest in entrepreneurship. With the support of VIVA, she participated in a three-day training by the Kenya Institute of Business Training. She learned essential skills such as financial management, marketing, and customer service.

Armed with newfound knowledge and confidence, Pauline embarked on her entrepreneurial journey. She decided to start her own business selling cereals and other dry foodstuff, leveraging her understanding of her community’s needs.

With her savings of Ksh. 150,0000, gathered from her monthly stipend as a peer educator, and a small loan of Ksh. 50,000 from a micro finance institute, Pauline set up a shop in her neighbourhood and began her business venture.

Despite facing initial challenges, such as limited capital to set up the shop to the standard she had envisioned, Pauline remained determined to succeed. She employed innovative strategies to attract customers, including offering competitive prices, sourcing high-quality products, and offering very good and personalized customer service. Her business continues to gain traction, and her customer base continues to expand.

As her business continues to grow, Pauline keeps reinvesting her profits into expanding her product range and improving her shop’s infrastructure. She has diversified her goods to include a variety of grains and spices, catering to the diverse food preferences of her community.

“Running a business is very challenging, but I am currently able to cater for my basic needs better while also gathering enough profit to continue building my business,” Pauline says.

The overall unemployment in Kenya is at 12.7 percent. Youth (15–34-year-olds), who form 35 percent of the Kenyan population, have the highest unemployment rate of 67 percent, according to the Federation of Kenya Employers. VIVA aims to support young entrepreneurs while also nurturing innovation to enhance opportunities for youth to get jobs and be self- reliant.

Pauline’s business is yet to attain its full potential. However, through her unwavering commitment to empowerment and economic independence, she continues to not only transform her own life but has also become a beacon of hope and inspiration for other peer learners striving to overcome hardship and achieve their dreams.