HOPE RESTORED: SNIDAH’S TRANSFORMATION

Snidah holding the first indigenous chicken she sold

Early Challenges and Tough Decisions

In Idakho South, a community in Ikolomani sub-county, Kakamega County, lives a determined young woman named Snidah Atieno. Snidah Atieno is not just a survivor she is a changemaker, a leader, and a beacon of hope for many women across her community.

Snidah completed her secondary school education in 2015, earning a mean grade of B- grade. Like many bright students from humble backgrounds, the dream of joining university was cut short due to lack of funds. In search of a better future, she moved to Nairobi, where she was introduced to domestic work.

But what awaited her was a life of hardship. As a house help, she was expected to care for a child living with a disability, something she had no training or preparation for. She was subjected to harassment, denied food, and at times even beaten for making mistakes. Earning Ksh 3,000 per month, she had no way to quit working or improve her situation.

A New Chapter with WE REACH

Eventually, Snidah returned to her village, where a Community Health Promoter (CHP) introduced her to the Kakamega Hope for Survivors Network, a project under the WE REACH Organisation. The project was actively seeking young women and girls who had endured exploitation in domestic work. Out of 30 young women and girls interviewed,21 qualified for the Not Invisible Anymore (NIA) project by Freedom Fund, including Snidah.

The project offered a turning point for Snidah. She received training on home management, her rights as a domestic worker, how to speak up for herself in case of mistreatment, and business startup and management. These sessions didn’t just equip her with knowledge they gave her the confidence to advocate for herself and a renewed sense of purpose for her future.

Building a Business, Empowering Others

With the allowance she received from the training Snidah invested Ksh 3,000 in starting a poultry business. She bought 10 chicks at Ksh 300 each, and used the remaining funds to buy feed. As the chicks matured into cockerels, she sold 9 of them at Ksh 1,500 each, making Ksh 13,500 a profit of Ksh 10,500. She reinvested the money by purchasing five hens at Ksh 700 each all almost ready to begin laying eggs. This decision, she proudly says, was a result of the agribusiness training, research she conducted at home and dedication she had to improve her living standards. In addition to her home-based venture, she has now launched a poultry project within WE REACH, starting with 100 hens, and has a goal of scaling up to 500 hens. This project goes beyond income generation; it serves as a model and learning hub for other survivors, empowering her to share her voice and serve as a trainer of trainers.

Creating a Path for Others

Her group was later trained on SILC (Savings and Internal Lending Communities). Starting in July 2024, each member began saving a minimum of Ksh 100 regularly. After three months of consistent savings, members could qualify for small loans to support their businesses and family needs. The group has now accumulated over Ksh 40,000, showing what consistent saving and mutual support can achieve.

Recognising her leadership and commitment, the project team called for interviews to select survivors who would serve in office roles for the group. Snidah applied and was selected as the chairperson. It was a powerful affirmation of how far she had come. “My life has changed completely,” Snidah shares. “Through WE REACH, I know my rights, I’ve connected with new people, and I’ve learnt how to run a business. I’m not the same person I was in 2023.”

Her advice to current and aspiring domestic workers is practical and empowering: “Know your rights. Respect your employer, but always make sure there is an agreement before you begin work. Protect yourself.”

To her fellow survivors trained by WE REACH, she adds: “Take the training seriously and put it into practice. Even small steps matter. Don't sit on the knowledge; use it to grow and support others.”

Today, Snidah is not just earning a living; she is building a life, one of dignity, independence, and leadership. Her journey with the Kakamega Hope for Survivors Network is proof that with the right support, survivors can heal, rebuild, and thrive.

The blog was written by Gloria Mariga