The journey of Naomi Minage from a casual laborer to a thriving salon owner epitomizes resilience, determination, and the powerful impact of timely support. At the heart of her success story is the KCB Foundation’s 2jiajiri program, an initiative aimed at empowering young people like Naomi with vocational skills, resources, and mentorship. Her journey, marked by immense challenges and the ultimate reward of self-sufficiency, reflects the transformative potential of enterprise support programs.
Early Life and the Desire for a Better Future
Naomi, 30, grew up in Malava, a rural area in Kenya, where she was the third of eleven siblings. Her family struggled to meet basic needs, and this challenge shaped her ambition to pursue a better life. Despite completing secondary school, college was financially out of reach. Driven by necessity and hope, Naomi set out for Nairobi six years ago, with no clear plan other than a desire to create a better future for herself and her family.
Arriving in Nairobi, Naomi found a job as a casual laborer at a flower farm in Limuru. The work was physically grueling, with long hours and low pay that barely covered her needs. Over six months, she endured physical injuries and faced the harsh reality of minimal earnings. Eventually, her manager advised her to consider other, less strenuous jobs. Naomi knew she needed a more sustainable income but wasn’t yet certain where to turn.
Exploring New Avenues: The Shift to Hairdressing
Naomi tried her hand at various odd jobs but found herself discouraged by low wages. When she considered a job in the hotel industry, she was disheartened to find that the daily pay was too low to support her and her children. It was at this juncture that a friend suggested hairdressing, and though she lacked experience, Naomi took a leap of faith.
Armed with just Ksh10,000 she had saved from her previous job, she moved to Ruaka to start her journey in the beauty industry. Despite lacking formal training, Naomi committed to learning by observing her colleagues at the salon. She accepted lower pay when clients were unsatisfied, not wanting to overcharge due to her limited skills. However, she persisted, gradually building a modest clientele and gaining confidence.
KCB Foundation’s 2jiajiri Program: A Life-Changing Opportunity
As Naomi persevered, she learned of a remarkable opportunity through the KCB Foundation’s 2jiajiri program. This enterprise development initiative, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, offers youth a chance to gain vocational skills, focusing on sectors such as agribusiness, automotive engineering, beauty, building and construction, and domestic services. Each year, the program enrolls young people for training at Vocational Training Centres (VTCs), supporting those who wish to grow micro-enterprises or formalize their existing skills.
With this chance to pursue formal training, Naomi was selected for a scholarship to study at the prestigious Vera Beauty College in Nairobi. For six months, she honed her hairdressing skills, even emerging as the second-best performer in her class. The scholarship not only provided her with training but also boosted her confidence, giving her the technical foundation needed to take her craft seriously.
Opening Naomiris Salon: Realizing the Dream
After completing her training, Naomi achieved a significant milestone by opening her own salon, Naomiris, in Ruaka, Kiambu County. Her progress was accelerated by KCB Foundation’s donation of essential salon tools, including shaving machines, blow dryers, accessories, towels, and a hair dryer. These resources enabled her to launch her business with a professional setup, attracting clients and providing quality services.
Naomiris Salon soon gained popularity, offering services like twist outs, braiding, cornrows, dread retouching, and crocheting. With an average income of Ksh6,000 per week after expenses, Naomi now employs two people, a testament to the program’s mission of fostering enterprise expansion and employment creation.
The Benefits of Self-Employment
Naomi’s journey highlights the benefits and challenges of self-employment. She works long hours, often from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., but she values the control she now has over her time and income. Her earnings allow her to support her family back in Malava, contributing to her siblings’ and parents’ welfare, a gesture of gratitude for their support in her formative years.
Through her hard work and perseverance, Naomi has been able to transform her life and that of her family. She is particularly proud of her ability to provide a comfortable life for her children and has set her sights on training other young girls in the future as a way of paying forward the support she received from KCB Foundation.
Inspiring a New Generation: Naomi’s Vision
Naomi’s success has inspired her to look beyond her salon’s success. She aims to use her story to motivate her children and other young people to believe in the power of hard work and resilience. As she returns to her hometown, this time as a successful business owner, she hopes her story will inspire others to pursue their dreams and embrace opportunities, especially those provided by programs like 2jiajiri.
Her future plans include training other young women who are interested in hairdressing. By passing on her skills and the lessons she’s learned, Naomi seeks to create a ripple effect that will empower other aspiring entrepreneurs to achieve independence and self-sufficiency.
About the 2jiajiri Program: Supporting Entrepreneurship in Kenya
The 2jiajiri program by KCB Foundation is a comprehensive initiative focused on fostering entrepreneurship within Kenya’s informal sector. Since its inception, the program has trained over 28,000 youth, providing them with technical skills, business development services, and market linkages. The program is designed to meet the specific needs of unemployed youth and those out of school, equipping them to either start new businesses or formalize existing ones.
The focus of 2jiajiri on sectors such as agribusiness, automotive engineering, beauty, and domestic services aligns with Kenya’s socio-economic needs, creating sustainable employment opportunities for youth who otherwise face limited job prospects. The program’s training sessions also include modules on business management, enhancing participants’ ability to navigate the competitive market and grow their enterprises successfully.
The 2jiajiri initiative is more than just a skills training program; it is a catalyst for socio-economic change, fostering a culture of entrepreneurship and self-reliance among young people in Kenya. By equipping youth with skills and resources, the program is helping to create a generation of business owners who are not only economically empowered but also empowered to make a difference in their communities.
A Testament to the Power of Opportunity and Determination
Naomi Minage’s journey from casual laborer to salon owner is a testament to the power of determination and the transformative impact of support programs like KCB Foundation’s 2jiajiri. Her success highlights the importance of vocational training and business development support, particularly for young people with limited opportunities.
Through 2jiajiri, Naomi was not only able to learn valuable skills but also received the tools and confidence needed to open her own business. Her story serves as an inspiring example of how lives can be changed when individuals are given the right resources and support to turn their dreams into reality.
Today, Naomi is a beacon of hope for many young people in Kenya. Her journey proves that with the right mix of hard work, resilience, and access to opportunities, anyone can overcome life’s challenges and create a better future. As she looks forward to helping others achieve similar success, Naomi’s story will undoubtedly continue to inspire and motivate a new generation of Kenyan entrepreneurs.
Conclusion: Empowering Kenya’s Youth for a Brighter Future
The 2jiajiri program is paving the way for sustainable economic growth in Kenya by equipping youth with skills that allow them to contribute to the country’s economy. Naomi’s success is just one of many stories that demonstrate the program’s impact. With continued support, the 2jiajiri program will continue to nurture talent and empower more young Kenyans to pursue entrepreneurship and build better lives for themselves and their communities.
Through vocational training, business development services, and the provision of essential tools, KCB Foundation and its partners have given thousands of youth like Naomi the chance to achieve financial independence. Her story encapsulates the essence of 2jiajiri, showcasing the life-changing power of opportunity and the enduring impact of programs that prioritize youth empowerment and economic development.
