By Grace Adhiambo
Across the sub-counties of Alego and Gem in Siaya, young women and adolescent mothers are steadily transforming their lives through resilience, skills development, and economic empowerment under the Savings for Empowerment (S4E) programme.
At the forefront of this inspiring initiative is Ms. Wilkister Josephine, Chairlady of the Achola Young Women Youth Self Help Group based in Karapul. She continues to champion the empowerment of vulnerable young mothers in the community. With pride and determination, Ms. Wilkister displays a beautifully knitted doormat still under production — a simple but powerful symbol of creativity, self-reliance, and hope for a better future.
The group is among several beneficiaries of the S4E programme, an initiative supported by KMET that seeks to economically empower young women and adolescent mothers through practical vocational skills, financial literacy, and mentorship.
According to Ms. Wilkister, the programme has had a significant impact on the lives of many young mothers who previously struggled with unemployment, social stigma, and financial instability. Through continuous training and mentorship, members of the group have acquired valuable skills in the production of liquid soap, Jik, Stasoft, beadwork, and handmade doormats. Others have ventured into small-scale businesses to support their families.
The products made by the women are increasingly gaining recognition within their communities due to their quality and affordability. From neatly stitched doormats to household cleaning products such as Jik and Stasoft, the initiative is enabling the young mothers to generate income while building confidence and independence.
For many of the beneficiaries, the programme has become more than just a source of livelihood. It has provided a platform for healing, growth, and the restoration of dignity. Through teamwork and shared experiences, the women support one another emotionally while encouraging each other to remain focused on personal and economic growth. One of the key pillars of the S4E programme is financial empowerment through table banking. The young women collectively save part of the profits earned from their businesses and can access loans from the group savings pool. This has enabled many of them to expand their businesses, support household needs, and invest in their children’s wellbeing.
The savings culture introduced through table banking has strengthened financial discipline among the members while also creating a reliable support system for women who would otherwise struggle to access formal financial services. Small loans borrowed from the group have helped members restock business items, pay school-related expenses, and respond to emergencies without falling into severe financial distress.
Beyond economic empowerment, the programme also integrates components of Nurturing Care — an approach aimed at ensuring children born to adolescent mothers receive proper care, nutrition, protection, and emotional support during their early years of development. Through regular sensitization sessions, the young mothers are encouraged to actively participate in their children’s growth and development by creating safe, loving, and stimulating environments at home. They are reminded that children deserve not only to survive difficult circumstances but also to thrive and achieve their full potential.
The programme has continued to receive praise from community members and stakeholders for addressing both the economic and social challenges affecting adolescent mothers in Alego and Gem. By equipping young women with practical skills and financial management knowledge, the initiative is helping to reduce dependency while restoring hope among vulnerable households.
Ms. Wilkister Josephine notes that the journey has not always been easy, but the determination among the women continues to grow every day. She acknowledges the support provided by KMET through the S4E programme, saying it has greatly transformed the lives of many young mothers, who now see themselves as productive members of society. As the women continue to perfect their skills in beadwork, soap making, tailoring, and mat stitching, their stories stand as testimony that empowering young women economically can create lasting change — not only for individuals but also for families and entire communities.
The County Government of Siaya, together with development partners, remains committed to supporting initiatives such as S4E that empower women, strengthen households, and contribute to inclusive community development across the county.