Ruth (right) with a student Bethsheba (left) and coworker Victorina (center) at the Neema shop

Ruth has a very special connection to Neema—she was once a student. As a former student, Ruth knows better than most the positive impact Neema can have on the young women that go through Neema. Life growing up was not easy for Ruth. Neither of her parents had a job, and they had to do casual work in order to support their family. Ruth went to school until eighth 8th grade, but she was unable to do her final exams as they could no longer afford school fees. Ruth explains that after dropping out of school, “I stayed at home for six years, helping my parents to do casual work so that we could put something on the table. Later on I learned about Neema through an advert, and I decided to give [it] a try, and luckily I got a chance and I did my exams.”

Ruth (right) teaches third-year students at Neema.

The education and experiences she gained from her time as a student at Neema allows her to now give back to the organization and community in a big way. Her education means that she is better able to interact with the students, and she was able to acquire the skills and knowledge that she now teaches to the young women. As a teacher in tailoring and dressmaking, the skills Ruth learned during her time at Neema helped prepare her for her job as an instructor. She gained further experience and knowledge during her time working at Gifted Designers in Kitale so that she is now able to understand how to make different designs. Ruth loves that she now gets to pass on her knowledge of how to interpret different designs to her students. In fact, she tells us it’s her favorite part of working at Neema.

“I believe hope and self-esteem is important to helping young women in the community because if one has hope she will keep going and decide for herself what is good for her.”

If it wasn’t for hope and encouragement in her younger years, Ruth likely wouldn’t have made it to where she is today. Born in Sang’alo in western Kenya, Ruth was the third born child in her family. They eventually moved to Kitale where they currently live. Unfortunately, her two elder siblings died while they were very young. Although she currently has no husband or children, Ruth supports nine people with her income including her two parents, one grandmother, two brothers, three sisters, and her uncle. She spends her days helping the Neema community teach, support, and encourage the students.

“Faith has affected my relationship with girls, and passion, because I believe with God everything is possible.”

A strong relationship with God has also helped Ruth get to where she is today. Her relationship with the students at Neema, as well as her passion for her work, is made stronger because of this belief. She is able to relate well with people and stay in accordance with his commandments because of her faith. Her pastor had a large influence on her life as he used to encourage and advise her not to give up. He helped her know that she could become a successful woman even if she did not reach a certain level of education. Now as Neema’s Shop Assistant & Tailoring Instructor, Ruth gets to help show the vulnerable young women at Neema that they too can find success in their future.

Staff Stories: Ruth