Jaber’s Journey: From Survival to Strength

In the heart of Rongo sub county, long after the curtains closed on Reaching the Last Girl, a 40-month project supporting young mothers living with HIV, the echoes of transformation continue to grow louder.

Among these voices is Jaber (not her real name), a resilient mother of two, whose story captures what true change looks like. With only Ksh. 7,000 seed money offered just two months before the project’s end, Jaber reignited her dream: to grow her fish-frying business and reclaim her independence. She made a bold decision that changed everything—no longer would she rely on her partner for daily needs. Instead, she chose the path to dignity and self-reliance.

Every dawn, Jaber journeys 40KM to the shores of Lake Victoria to buy fish at wholesale. By the time the sun rises, she’s already back, frying and selling to earn a living. Her determination has paid off. She no longer worries about paying school fees for her children. Her household is more stable. And above all, she now stands tall as a provider, proud and empowered.

But her success doesn’t stop at business. The project also provided Jaber with a goat—what began as a single asset has now multiplied into a herd of five. With the recent birth of twins, her livestock is thriving. Jaber is now building wealth that she can one day pass on to her children—a living symbol of resilience and self-reliance.

What makes stories like Jaber’s truly remarkable is not just the change seen during the project’s timeline but the ripple effects that continue to unfold beyond it. The fire lit in these young women has not dimmed. It burns brighter each day.

Reaching the Last Girl project was supported by the ViiV Healthcare Positive Action Programme.