The Impact On Her Family
For every young woman who graduates from Neema, an average of eight other individuals are impacted across four generations (her grandparents, her parents, her siblings, and her children).
“Neema saved me from a lot of shame during Covid. I was so embarrassed that my children were home and I had nothing to offer. Our family only had one meal a day. I didn’t know how we were going to survive. Then one day, Neema called to say they'd come the next day. I thought they were just coming to see my daughter but they arrived with food! They came the following month and the month after that. They have no idea how much the food helped us.”
- Brenda’s father
“I am always moved by how my daughter is working hard, and even during these difficult times. She tries her best to take care of her kids and even me. I am so happy that our relationship is restored and even stronger than before. I am a proud mother.”
- Iddah’s mother
The Impact On Her Community
“Iddah is considerate, shows affection in all that she does, and I am so impressed with the way she treats customers. Iddah is a God-send, and I admire her closeness with God. I thank Neema for instilling good virtues in her, and my prayer is that God would continue using Neema to change and give hope to girls like Iddah.”
- Iddah’s boss
“I am just really impressed by the level of impact at Neema! Your program is holistic, and I especially love that you send your girls out with a means of livelihood — a sewing machine and some fabric to start off. How awesome is that?”
- Carol Sudi, Neema’s Chaplain
Brenda (2022 graduate) with her sisters
Iddah (2020 graduate) with her mother
Mercy (2019 graduate)
Sarah (2016 graduate)
Wise’s Story
When Wise’s father passed away, her mother was left to care for Wise and her six siblings. But just having casual labor for work, they lived hand to mouth day in and day out. And then, when Wise became pregnant with her son Ali, she had to drop out of school and developed low self-esteem.
Over time, she lost trust in her mother, lost trust in God, and told herself she couldn’t trust anyone easily. But the counseling and discipleship she’s receiving at Neema is helping her reconcile with her mom and with God.
“Neema is helping me grow my relationship with God, and I am building my trust in him through prayer. I was also able to forgive my mother, and we are bonding and growing our relationship because of the counseling I am receiving from Neema.”
- WISE, CLASS OF 2024
First-Year Students
Growing up in rural Kenya can be incredibly challenging for teenage girls. During November, Neema receives applications from young women in the community who would like to join the program, and prioritizes welcoming the most vulnerable.
New students then start their life at Neema in January at which point they all receive an annual check-up to identify any underlying medical issues, and together with their children, they receive ongoing medical care during the year.
Students start their skills training program with an emphasis on both theory and practice. Third-year students make the first-year students’ uniforms, which they are very excited to receive. In December, first-year students take their first national dressmaking certification exam.
Each young woman receives her own Bible that she’ll keep after she graduates. Certified instructors teach the Alpha Discipleship Course, a key pillar of our discipleship program. Students then to attend daily devotional time together all year and are introduced to handling conflicts in a constructive and biblically faithful manner.
Our counselors meet with the students on a regular and on-demand basis to help them cope and heal from past trauma. Students also start to study livelihood and social skills that will help them with their life after graduation.
Our chef also teaches the benefits of nutrition and some easy recipes for the students to make.
The grandmother of one of our students shared, “Last year, I saw some girls walking with confidence, and I asked: Whose daughters are those? And I was told they are Neema’s. And I asked myself: Could I one day see my granddaughter who has low self-esteem have such self-assurance? And here we are. I am so hopeful for this girl’s future now. I brought my granddaughter to Neema because of the good reputation this organization has in the community. I am 84, but I can't wait to see what God has in store.”
Lydia’s Story
Lydia came from an unstable family living in abject poverty and had to drop out of school in 7th grade. By the time she joined Neema in 2017, she had three children. But while there, she received counseling and was able to forgive herself and others who had hurt her. She was a hard worker in class and says she was able to concentrate because her heart was now free.
After graduating in 2019, she started working and saving, and eventually opened her own shop. Today, she supports herself, her kids, and her parents, and when she gets lots of work, she hires other Neema alumni to work for her! And because of Neema’s alumni program, she’s continuing to receive counseling and support.
“I came to Neema for the skills—to help in my future. Now that I’ve finished, I want to grow business-wise and teach others.”
- LYDIA, ALUMNI CLASS OF 2019
Second-Year Students
Students are excited to come back to Neema in January after a three-week break! They start their second year of the skills training program continuing to focus on theory and practice. They pursue the acquisition of national certifications by taking the mid-level NITA exam.
Our counselors meet with the students on a regular and on-demand basis to help them cope and heal from past trauma.
Second-year students have an opportunity to review and deepen their understanding of Scripture through the Alpha program. They are also introduced to a series which covers the books of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and James. Then they study the lives of women in the Bible.
Students continue to learn livelihood and social skills, as well as effective nutrition and cooking skills.
"I am so happy because my father forgave me and accepted me back as his daughter. When I went home with the school uniform, he could not believe I was studying, and he promised to keep my son and provide everything for him. This makes me feel so happy and free in the heart knowing that I am accepted once again.” - A second-year student
Sarah’s Story
When Sarah joined Neema with her baby Emmanuel, she was shy and didn’t interact much with the other students. She had her son in sixth grade after her own mother rejected her, and she had to drop out of school.
But through the counseling she received at Neema, she’s grown in social skills and has become jovial and active in class. She says that she can now see a future, and her lost hope is restored. And when she graduates, she’d love to have her own workshop so she can employ other vulnerable young women like herself.
“I’m so grateful for Neema for taking good care of Sarah and the baby … She’s been instilled with discipline, she reasons, and is proud to be at Neema. When her friends ask her about it, she’s glad to share about the education she’s getting.”
- PETER, SARAH’S UNCLE
Third-Year Students
Third-year students continue their skills training with an emphasis on real practice by interning at Neema’s shop. They hone their tailoring and dressmaking skills. They also sell some of the products they make at local markets and save part of the sales proceeds to purchase a sewing machine upon graduation. Students work with our Business Skills Development Mentor on their professional project post-Neema. Guest professionals come to teach special workshops such as leather bag making to broaden our students’ skills. Third-year students take the highest level NITA exam and are responsible for designing and creating outfits for our annual Fashion Show. Thanks to their internship earnings, sometimes supplemented by their guardians, third-year students receive a sewing machine upon graduation.
Our counselors meet with the students on a regular and on-demand basis to help them cope and heal from past trauma. They also conduct home visits with guardians to discuss how they will support their student upon graduation.
Third-year students study leadership from a biblical perspective which prepares them for life outside of Neema and how to positively impact those around them. They also have an opportunity to further deepen their understanding of the Alpha program.
"Through the counseling and morning devotions, I have been able to trust in God with the troubles of my family which used to stress me so much, especially whenever I would remember that my mother has no food to feed the family. I am looking forward to finding a job so that I can help my mother with things at home. That would be my dream come true." - A third-year student
Neema alumni
Alumni participate in workshops organized by Neema throughout the year. This is both a networking and skills building opportunity. Neema’s staff visit alumni regularly to check on their progress, provide additional support, and encourage them in their professional development.
Alumni are asked to participate in our annual Fashion Show by making signature pieces of their own. They’re also asked to come and talk to students about their experience after Neema. They become inspirations for current students and a network to rely on after graduation.
Our counselors offer individual counseling sessions in person or by phone with alumni to help them as they face new challenges in their life outside of Neema.
Iddah, 2020 Neema graduate
Iddah, a 2020 Neema graduate says, “I am not ashamed of myself anymore because Neema changed my identity. I am now called a tailor, and my customers appreciate not only my work but the way I treat them in the absence of my boss. Many people can sew, but Neema taught me more than sewing, and because of that I have been able to bring more customers for my boss."
Watch Naomi share how her life has been transformed!
You can empower vulnerable young women in rural Kenya today!
Fight gender inequality in rural Kenya by helping these young women and their children break out of extreme poverty.
Visit our YouTube page to see testimonial videos of some of our past students.