REWA Home, a registered women self-help group based in Laikipia County, Kenya, is dedicated to empowering marginalized women through socio-economic initiatives. These women are mostly from the Maa communities (Maasai, Samburu and Turkana).
Born and raised in Kenya, one thing was clear in March 2008 when i moved to Switzerland: I would never return to Kenya. There were many problems I was running away from, and I was relieved to have finally made it to the land of milk and honey.
After some time, however, I started feeling unhappy inside. I couldn’t pinpoint exactly why I felt this way, even though I now had everything I had ever dreamed of in Switzerland. In 2017, while on vacation with my family around Mount Kenya, a group of local women approached our safari vehicle in the parking area. With smiling faces, dressed in their traditional attire and adorned with beads, they warmly greeted us. In their hands, they carried beautiful Shangas (handmade beaded jewelry) and persuaded me to buy some.
Having grown up there, I had witnessed firsthand the struggles many marginalized women and girls face—poverty, female genital mutilation, gender-based violence, early marriages, and lack of access to education and healthcare. These injustices were not just statistics; they were real stories of pain, resilience, and untapped potential. That day, I decided to listen to these women.
I then asked one of them to write her name on a piece of paper. She could not write her name—nor could the next one, or the one after that. They looked at me and said, “Sisi hatujasoma.” This means, “We never went to school.” At that moment, I realized that while I had been determined to escape that life and enjoy the luxury these women could only dream of, my perspective had to change.
From that moment on, I returned to Switzerland with only one goal: to do my best to change the lives of these women.
In 2024, I purchased a 1/2-hectare plot of land in Nanyuki, and in August 2024, the Rewa Home Women Group was founded. The land is strategically located on the equator, 12 kilometers from the town of Nanyuki and 40 kilometers from Mount Kenya. I established this women’s group because I believe that every woman deserves a safe space where she can heal, learn, and rebuild her life.
The mission of Rewa Home is to provide education, vocational training, and psychosocial support to women who have been neglected by society. Through Rewa Home’s programs, we aim to empower them to break the cycle of oppression and build a future filled with dignity and opportunities.
After consulting with the women, we began a project to grow organic vegetables in vertical gardens. By the end of December 2024, the women had already started selling this produce in local markets. They also expressed their desire to learn how to read and write. To support this, they hope we can build a classroom where they can receive basic adult education. This space could also serve as a workspace for their beading craft and as a retreat where women can talk about their problems and receive psychological support.
The goal is to create a safe, nurturing, and empowering environment where vulnerable, marginalized Kenyan women can heal, grow, and reach their full potential—breaking the cycle of abuse, poverty, and discrimination.
Empower and Educate: Ensure access to education, vocational training, and life skills to equip women for a better future.
Advocate and Raise Awareness: Work with communities, governments, and stakeholders to promote gender equality.
Rehabilitate and Reintegrate: Provide psychological support and mentoring to restore dignity and independence.
Sustainability and Growth: Develop self-sustaining programs that promote long-term empowerment and financial independence for women in marginalized communities.
Rescue and Protect: Provide immediate shelter, safety, and care for girls at risk of abuse, genital mutilation (early marriage), human trafficking, and exploitation.
Our programs focus on education, practical skills training, and entrepreneurship, aiming to uplift women and their communities.
Description: This programme provides fundamental literacy skills to women who have had limited or no access to formal education.
Objective: To improve reading, writing, and numeracy skills, enhancing participants’ ability to engage in daily activities, access information, and participate in economic opportunities.
Duration: 3 months
Participants: 30 women per cohort
Outcome: Graduates will receive a certificate for completing the adult education classes, marking a significant step towards personal and professional development.
Description: This hands-on training teaches women modern agricultural techniques using cone gardens, which are space-efficient and ideal for small-scale farming.
Objective: To empower women with the skills needed to start and maintain their own agricultural ventures, ensuring food security and generating income.
Duration: 3 months
Participants: 30 women per cohort
Outcome: Participants will gain practical knowledge in sustainable farming practices, which they can apply to improve their livelihoods and support their families.
Description: This programme provides training in business skills, including planning, management, and marketing. It aims to foster entrepreneurial spirit among women.
Objective: To equip women with the knowledge and skills to start and run successful businesses, thereby boosting economic independence and community development.
Duration: 3 months
Participants: 30 women per cohort
Outcome: Graduates will be better prepared to launch their own businesses, with continued support and mentoring from REWA Home.
Susan Wambugu
Project Manager
Josephine Garwesi
Women Group Chairlady
Payan Lokodos
Group Treasurer
Julius Misango
Consultant Climate Smart Agriculture
Each training programme will accommodate 30 women per cohort, and with multiple cohorts throughout the year, REWA Home aims to empower 200 women annually.
REWA Home will offer a community “Baraza” (Swahili for recreational space), providing a venue for women, to gather and discuss issues affecting them. This space will foster community dialogue, support, and collaborative problem-solving.
This space will foster community dialogue, support, and collaborative problem-solving.
Private contributiions and donations from public and private donations , as well as corporate sponsorships.
We want to thank our Partner
Your sponsorship provides education, skills training, and economic opportunities, helping women achieve financial independence and build a better future for their families.