Metrine Finds Independence
After finding a path out of extreme poverty, Metrine is self-sufficient and provides for her family.
Tragedy struck Metrine’s family when she was only a child, and growing up in rural Kenya, she faced extreme poverty on a daily basis. But when she was a teenager, Metrine joined Neema, and today she says, “Neema is a symbol of hope. I learned how to pray and be patient through everything in life.”
Metrine works at her current shop
Metrine’s Childhood and Teen Years
Metrine’s childhood included hardship that no one should ever have to experience. She grew up with her aunt because her mother passed away when Metrine was only six years old. She’s never seen her father and was told he had died, and one of her siblings passed away from a sickness when he was twelve.
While Metrine lived with her aunt, she went to a school called Oasis of Hope for children while her aunt did manual labor to provide for herself and her niece. But when Metrine was in third grade, her school closed and she had no opportunities for an education left until she was thirteen.
Finding Hope for a Brighter Future
Metrine in front of her current shop
Metrine joined Neema in 2009, which was before it had been taken over by our current leadership team. Because Neema had not been well established yet, Metrine did not take any national certification exams (NITA exams), which left her less qualified to obtain a job after graduation.
Metrine works at her current shop
And yet, Metrine still says, “Neema not only taught me tailoring, but also how to read and write. During my time at Neema, I was taught English, math, and reading in the morning and tailoring in the afternoon. That really really helped me. I also learned the importance of waiting to get the right partner. Overall, Neema has been instrumental in shaping me socially, economically, and spiritually.”
After Neema, Metrine worked for a lady in town as a tailor, but because she was not being paid, Metrine quit.
Because our new campus is completed and includes larger and better equipped classrooms, Metrine is returning to Neema part-time this year where our staff have generously offered to guide her through the examination process. She will also be interning at Neema’s shop in order to practice for the exam.
Metrine at Neema’s 2023 Fashion Show
After she receives her certification, Metrine will be even more qualified to work in a tailoring shop, so she’s excited to look for employment and gain a stable job to help support her family.
In 2016, five years after graduating from Neema, Metrine got married. Her husband Lister works at a barber shop, but his income is not always enough to support their family. They live in a nearby town called Kipsongo with their two children Brillant (7) and Messia (3) and Lister’s child Jayden (10) from a previous relationship. Brillant and Jayden are in school, and Messia will join when he is old enough.
Metrine says that she desires for her children to study up to the university and get good jobs so that they can break the cycle of poverty.
Your generosity is providing a path out of extreme poverty for young women like Metrine in rural Kenya. Donate today to secure the future of twice as many women.