Having grown up in Korogocho slums, I have always seen and witnessed women, especially single mothers struggling to buy adequate diapers for their babies; and the few who can afford them, dispose them in a way that affects the environment.
It is for this reason that my mother and I thought of starting Hidaya, a re-usable diaper business.
These are sentiments of Diana, a SOMO Project beneficiary who runs a disposable diaper business alongside her mother Hildah.
Before joining SOMO, an organisation that seeks to empower entrepreneurs from low- income area , the duo sold diapers besides the road in Korogocho, until one day a SOMO representative who was walking around the area spotted and approached them back in August 2018.
Diana and Hilder of Hidaya diapers. [Source/SOMO Africa]
“He was intrigued with the kind of business we had ventured into, and as a result told us about SOMO in detail, and explained to us how we can become entrepreneurs with them. We immediately got interested and saw that as an opportunity to both learn, and grow our business. We were hopeful the opportunity would be a step towards realising a less polluted environment in our area as people would be open re-usable diapers.
"After a successful 12 weeks training, SOMO gave us Sh185,000 to boost our business and this helped us open a workshop in Dandora market. It was such a major boost for our business as the sales were way better compared to before. More mothers with babies were open to buying our diapers which go for Sh50, but can last an entire month. Being in a low income area, this was pocket friendly to the locals and so we experienced frequent customers coming in to buy the diapers. Apart from generating income, we were also glad the environment was becoming less polluted, which was another major goal fr us," Diana said.
Vivian Mokeira, another beneficiary of SOMO Project acknowledged the NGO for playing a major role in the success of her business, Keira styles.
The 23-year-old entrepreneur creates her designs from recycled fabrics that she gathers from seamstresses, to produce unique afro-centric pieces such as bomber jackets, earrings, neck-pieces, ties ,bow-ties, flower clips among others.
Vivian Mokeira, founder of Keira styles with SOMO co-founder Amelia Philips. [Source/SOMO Africa]
In an interview, she said she learned about SOMO through a friend, attended their training program, and received financial support for her business.
"Since I saw this as an opportunity for my business, I checked out their website and applied for the training program. I was later interviewed then attended their 12-week boot camp after which I emerged top of my class. Thereafter, they gave me 185,000 to support my business which they monitor to keep you on track," she said.
According to Juliet Nila, the Marketing Officer at SOMO, the organisation has successfully graduated 131 entrepreneurs from their entrepreneurship boot camp which runs for 3 months where entrepreneurs are equipped with skills on getting ready to launch and sustain their businesses.
SOMO entrepreneurs during a training boot camp. [Source/SOMO Africa]
“We’re currently training 15 entrepreneurs from each of our three hubs, that is Kibera, Korogocho, and Kisumu totaling the number to another 45," she said.
To join the program, one can apply on their website https://www.somoafrica.org.