Sifa’s Decision To Start a Business Changed Everything

Sifa felt trapped. Weighed down with responsibilities and limitations, she didn’t know what to do to lift her family out of poverty. Her four children were undernourished, but the local community discouraged women from contributing to their families by making an income.

“There is nothing more we could do or change,” Sifa said. “I wished for so many things that were just a fairy tale at the time.”

Things changed after Sifa discovered Convoy of Hope’s Women’s Empowerment initiative.

“I was surprised at how blinded I was! I didn’t know that I could be anything I wanted to be, change my husband’s perception, help my family to be better, and see beyond. After my first class, I got out of there with one thing in my mind: I will make it better.”

She did. And Convoy of Hope was with her every step of the way.

Sifa chose to start a business selling Maasai blankets. She quickly made enough profit to start another business, this time selling sugar. Then those two businesses did so well that she started selling rice.

“I manage all this because Convoy of Hope didn’t just train us, they go with us all the way,” Sifa said. “I couldn’t afford to buy my children new clothes. Now, I can even buy gifts for my husband and I can afford clothes and shoes for my kids. My husband became supportive, understanding, loving.”

Sifa now plans to buy a sewing machine so she can make her own custom merchandise and sell it at a better price. She’s feeding her children herself, her marriage is better, and her community has even started to change because of the example she is setting.

That’s the power of hope. Thank you for the part you play in empowering women like Sifa.