What a Day Looks Like… Inukamama edition

Inukamama is a community driven non-profit organisation that works on empowering young women in the community in vulnerable situations i.e single mothers, teenage mothers, women from low-income families who didn't get access to higher education with skill training and social mentorship.

It’s not only an intensive one month training program but it is also a community and support system for the young women in the program

Here is what a day looks like at Inukamama:

The morning starts under the tent of the training venue as participants arrive, catch up with one another and settle in. 

“ Hello Director!” reigns the atmosphere immediately Brandon, the project lead arrives. P/S the ‘director’ nickname was given to Brandon by the participants themselves, which is amazing.

After a short prayer by one of the participants our session for the day officially starts.

We start by asking the most important question of the day, how everyone is actually doing and how they are feeling. 

During the daily mentorship check-in, participants tell us how they are feeling that day and we write them down on sticky notes and stick them on our interactive reflection board. 

Seeing notes shift overtime from “stressed” or “tired” to “happy” and “optimistic” is a reminder of why creating a safe space comes first.

By mid morning the training has began

Today's focus? Hair braiding 

Under the guidance of the instructors, participants practice step-by-step techniques.

- Wash and blow dry

- Adding the braiding hair to natural hair

- Finishing and styling

Everyday participants build up on what they learnt on the previous days. The trainers Tr. Christine Adhiambo and Tr.Moureen Wambui are warm and accommodative to all participants and make sure that everyone leaves confident that they understood the day's concept.

As the braiding continues we go around interviewing some of the participants, asking what skill was their favourite to learn, how they feel about the program’s progression and any unique experiences that have happened that piqued their interest or made the program special for them. Getting feedback is the most important part so you know whether the program is actually being enjoyed or whether there is room for improvement.

At noon, everyone takes a well deserved break to share a meal, rest and chat. The sense of isolation that many young women go through whether they dropped out of school or are entering parenthood at an early age all starts to disappear here. Everyone comes together as a community, laughter and joy fill the space as they talk and share stories; enjoying the moment.

At around 2pm, a special guest arrives. Today, there was an expert on pregnancy and family planning, Dr.Tatiana Kerubo Nyamwaya coming to talk to the cohort. Training isn’t just teaching participants skills that can help them run a business, it’s also about teaching valuable information that they need to support themselves as well as their children.

As the afternoon wraps up, the group comes together for one final reflection. Participants pack up, knowing each day brings them a step closer to starting a new business and writing their futures.

Article by Tansie Kerubo

Editor : Brandon Ogesi

About Author

Tansie Kerubo is an Year 11 student at the Nairobi Academy passionate about working on initiatives that propel women in the society lifting them from vulnerability to strength and stability. Her interests include debate, global affairs, public speaking and sports. Lately, she’s been into exploring youth empowerment and how skill development transforms local communities.