Success Stories
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Catherine
Catherine Omondi is the leader of the Huruma Women’s Group. She has run a successful business as a tailor and dressmaker for years. She is a mother, a church leader and an inspiration to the women in her group.
Almost two years ago, Kenya was rocked by devastating post-election violence. In the days and weeks that followed, some communities fared worse than others. The Huruma slums were the scene of fires, riots and unspeakable brutality against the residents and business owners. Many people saw family members and friends killed or beaten, and many homes were destroyed. Even today, a walk through this neighborhood shows the signs of the devastation.
But in a defining moment, Catherine saw the devastation in the hearts of the people. She decided to do something to strengthen the women of Huruma—to help the women of her community to be healed and empowered.
Catherine formed the Huruma Women’s Group with the objective of beginning a business support group in the community. When The Pangea Network met with Catherine and her group, they were clearly motivated and energized.
One of the immediate goals of the Huruma Women’s Group was to become a self-sufficient and woman-led organization. The women felt strongly that they needed to be leaders and take charge of their own futures, and their first step was to move into those leadership roles in their organization which were filled by men.
When we reviewed our education plan with Catherine, we suggested she consider using this opportunity to take the women through our leadership training and practice their leadership right away within their own cooperative.
Today, The Huruma Women’s Group is a powerful example of self determination. The group is organized, run and managed by the participants and they have successfully grown their businesses manyfold.
More importantly, Catherine is nurturing a new kind of woman in this neighborhood. By writing their own stories, they have created the possibility for turning the page on violence in their lives and their children’s lives.
