Building a Sustainable Future: Christine’s Story

One of the most pressing needs for youth with disabilities and caretakers of children with disabilities is achieving economic security to help support their family’s needs. For over two decades, Kupenda has witnessed families impacted by disabilities grapple with increased financial hardship and the devastation it brings. That is why Kupenda launched its Livelihoods Program, which supports families impacted by disability to break free from the cycle of poverty and access employment and economic activities that are vital to their success. Through a variety of tools, such as education, mentorships, support groups, microloans, and trainings, mothers like Christine can experience the difference between struggling for survival versus building a foundation for a sustainable future.

Christine’s Caretaking

Christine is a 40-year-old mother of five children and one grandchild who once operated a tailor shop in the local market in Gede, Kenya. Her ability to support her family changed, however, when her daughter, Esther, gave birth to a son by caesarian section and became paralyzed during the surgery.

Christine soon found herself facing a number of obstacles common to caregivers of people with disabilities, including heightened stigma, added healthcare expenses, and limited job opportunities. In response to her daughter’s needs, Christine shut down her shop at the marketplace and cared for her daughter in their home. Although she tried to relocate her business to her house, she lost most of her customer base since her services were not as visible. Earning income was especially difficult since Christine was a single parent. Unfortunately, many children with disabilities are left in the care of single mothers due to high rates of spousal abandonment and divorce over issues of disability.

Fortunately, Christine often passed Kupenda’s office when traveling through town. When her daughter became disabled, she approached Kupenda’s staff in Kenya for advice and support. They counseled her to help her understand and accept Esther’s disability. They also provided diapers for her daughter and supplemental food to meet her family’s nutritional needs. In addition, Kupenda provided Esther with physical therapy that enabled her to regain a sense of touch, reduce stiffness, and make slight improvements to her mobility.

Christine’s Future

Another vital way Kupenda supported Christine was by inviting her to attend their new business and entrepreneurship skills trainings, which equip caregivers of children with disabilities and youth with disabilities to effectively establish, manage, and operate sustainable businesses. Through these trainings, Christine learned how to effectively market her business in its new location, access capital, and diversify her sources of income. In addition, Christine was assigned an experienced business mentor who continues to work closely with her, offering guidance, support, and regular check ins as her business grows.

Today Christine reports that Kupenda has made her feel like God is answering her prayers by bringing “good-hearted and loving people to her aid.” She hopes to expand her tailoring business by hiring more employees and to venture into other income-generating activities.

Community Impact

From July through December of 2024, Kupenda’s new business and entrepreneurship skills trainings supported 49 individuals in addition to Christine with their business ventures, boosting their sense of independence and breaking patterns of exclusion and stigma.

Would you consider supporting caretakers and youth with disabilities to build more self-reliant futures? Your investment will improve quality of life for countless people, restoring their dignity and illustrating to their communities that disability is not inability!

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