Through resilience and support of the Wezesha Project, a transformative partnership between the Refugee Consortium of Kenya (RCK) and the IKEA Foundation, Kaviru overcame divorce, financial hardship, and business collapse to provide for her four children and revive her salon dream.
Madogo, Tana River County, Kenya – Meet Kaviru Mito (not her real name), a 34-year-old Kenyan citizen and a single mother of four, a resident from Madogo centre, a vibrant but often unnoticed centre in Tana River County known for its resilience and close-knit spirit. Kaviru’s story is one of determination, hope, and the transformative power of the Wezesha project’s support. Once a thriving salon owner, her life took a dramatic turn when marital conflicts led to her husband’s imprisonment and their eventual divorce. Left to care for her children alone, Kaviru struggled to keep her business operational while juggling school fees, rent, and the demands of motherhood. But through resilience and the support of the Refugee Consortium of Kenya (RCK) in partnership with the IKEA Foundation under the Wezesha Project, she has rebuilt her life and business, one step at a time.
“Nilikuwa nimeolewa na nina watoto wanne—mmoja high school, mwingine Grade 8, mwingine Grade 3, na mdogo wao (I was married and have four children—one in high school, another in Grade 8, another in Grade 3, and the youngest.),” Kaviru begins. She recalls how her salon business, once her pride and joy, became a casualty of her struggles as a single mother. “Nilikuwa na kazi ya saloon, lakini kwa sababu ya gharama za shule za watoto na kuwa single mother baada ya mabishano na mzee wangu, mambo yalibadilika (I used to run a salon, but because of school expenses for my children and becoming a single mother after disagreements with my husband, things changed),” she says.
The conflicts escalated, leading to violence and a court case that saw her husband sentenced to prison and their eventual divorce, leaving Kaviru to shoulder the burden of providing for her family alone. “Nilipokuwa single mother, mtoto wangu alikuwa amejoin Form 1. Nilitumia pesa yote ya saloon mpaka biashara ikaisha. (When I became a single mother, my child had just joined Form 1. I used all my salon savings and the business collapsed),” she recalls. To worsen the situation, she was pregnant with her youngest child at the time that led her to close her saloon business. “Nilipokwenda maternity, nilifunga kazi kabisa. Nilikuwa sina chochote (When I took a maternity break, I had to shut down my business completely. I had nothing),” she adds.
It was during this low point that a friend introduced her to the social interventions implemented by RCK under the Wezesha project. She enrolled for the entrepreneurial economic empowerment training which aims at creating an enabling environment for refugees and host communities to achieve social rights and economic self-reliance. Kaviru joined 30 other participants for a 5-day in-person entrepreneurial skills training. The training covered topics such as identifying viable business ideas, managing personal finances, conducting a business SWOT analysis, writing a business plan, and registering a business.
RCK’s support did not stop at training. The Wezesha project provided Kaviru with stock to restart her business. she received in-kind capital goods worth Kes 50,000, including essential salon materials and equipment. “RCK walinipa vifaa vya kuakuza zaidi saloon yangu kama braids, cosmetics and vingine zaidi. Hizo vifaa vimenisaidia sana (RCK provided me with tools to expand my salon such as braiding tools, cosmetics, and more. These tools have helped me a lot)” she said gratefully.
Today, Kaviru’s salon is running smoothly, though challenges remain. “Kwa sasa, saloon yangu iko sawa, lakini changamoto bado zipo kama kukosa wateja (“Now, my salon is doing well, but challenges like shortage of customers exist at time)” she admits. Despite these hurdles, Kaviru remains determined. Her story is a proof to the power of resilience and the impact of community support. “Nimejifunza kuwa na subira na kujituma. Nafanya kila niwezalo kuwasaidia watoto wangu. (I have learned to be patient and work hard. I am doing everything to support my children),” she says.
Kaviru’s journey is an inspiration to many single mothers and entrepreneurs facing similar struggles. Her message to others is clear: “Usikate tamaa na kujituma, unaweza kujikwamua (Do not n’t lose hope, with determination, you can overcome),” Kaviru Said.
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