Bona’s Transformation into a self-reliant entrepreneur

Bona Rabia, a 23-year-old peer educator with the Conquerors Queen Youth Group linked to Sisbro Foundation’s Youth Empowerment Centre (YEC), has walked a remarkable journey of resilience and transformation.

Before joining the program, life was an uphill battle. With no steady job or source of income, she struggled to provide for her two children. Survival was her daily reality, and she often felt trapped in a cycle of poverty and hopelessness.

“Every day felt like survival. I had dreams, but no tools, no support, and no direction. At 18, I was already a mother and had dropped out of school. Life is so hard for us youth in these slums. The fathers of our babies have no jobs, yet we need to survive,” Bona says.

In 2024, her life took a turn when she met Sisbro Foundation’s peer educators and joined a youth club in Mukuru. Starting out as a member, her dedication quickly stood out. She rose to become the assistant secretary of her group, receiving training in Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR), youth leadership, and entrepreneurship.

With these skills and the support of YSW, Bona and seven of her peers launched an income-generating activity in Mukuru- a small kiosk that sells food including pastries, fries and eggs, and soft drinks.

When we visited their shop, she proudly shared:

“I am proud of myself and my fellow club members for how far we have come. It started with a simple step — dedicating and believing in ourselves. Then came Sisbro and YSW, who built our capacity and supported us with a startup kit. Now, every day I take home at least KES 200 for my family. It might seem small to some, but to me it is a blessing. Now I wake up with purpose. I don’t just prepare chips—I connect with people, I earn honestly, and I inspire other young people to focus on their future.”

Impact at a Glance

• Bona now earns between KES 200 – 1,000 daily, easing her financial struggles and restoring her sense of dignity and self-worth.

• She is an active member of the Conquerors YSLA savings group, where she learnt financial discipline.

• Through YSW’s entrepreneurship training, she gained customer service skills, business mentorship, and was linked to sustainable savings networks.

• With these foundations, Bona and her group plan to expand their business into a grooming kiosk and train other young people in Mukuru.

Bona’s leadership and role in managing the business have earned her visibility and recognition within peer networks and the community, positioning her as both a successful entrepreneur and a role model.