Sewing with Alyce

Alyce has spent her entire life in the crushing grip of extreme poverty. Living in Korogocho — one of Nairobi’s most marginalized informal settlements — her days were marked by uncertainty and hardship. Before working with the Neighborhoods Foundation, making money, securing a consistent income, and raising her two boys was a relentless daily struggle. Every meal, every school fee, every moment of care required extraordinary resilience and inner strength. Survival was not guaranteed — it was earned, day by day, through perseverance and sheer will.

But Alyce never gave up.

When she received a microloan through the Neighborhoods Foundation, everything changed. The funds allowed her to purchase a commercial sewing machine — a single piece of equipment that cost nearly seven times her annual income of just $250. It was a turning point.

With that machine, Alyce started a small tailoring business near her home. What began as a solo effort has now grown into a vital source of income for several families. Her shop produces hundreds of garments for communities along the coast of Lake Victoria, and she has since hired four other women to help meet the growing demand. Each of these jobs supports not just a worker, but a household — feeding children, paying school fees, and creating a modest but meaningful livelihood.

These women, like Alyce, carry stories of deep struggle — but also of hope, courage, and the power to create change.

This is more than a business. It’s a lifeline. A testament to what happens when opportunity meets strength — and when women are trusted to lead.

Projects like this don’t just create jobs. They spark transformation — ripples of impact that extend across families, communities, and generations. We are proud to stand beside Alyce and look forward to growing her work into a thriving, sustainable business that empowers women across Kenya.