Leaving a lasting mark in her community as a trained female mechanic. Mama County´s powerful story

Mama County*, 20 years old is the eldest of her siblings, living with her mother and seven brothers and sisters near Naivasha town, Kenya. The family lives in a permanent double-room house with a kitchen, a sitting area, and a bedroom shared by the mother and her seven children. The house appears congested due to limited space. Amenities such as the toilet, washing area, and clothing lines are shared among the tenants living on the plot. There is no playground for the children to play.

Mama County completed Primary School in Bungoma in 2016 and later managed to complete her secondary education at an academy in 2021, getting a D- grade (unsatisfactory performance) in her KCSE exams.  In 2021, she faced a significant hurdle as she was unable to attend school for nearly a year due to the family's financial struggles. Despite her mother's hard work, the income earned was only sufficient to cover necessities like food, leaving no room for school fees.

During that period, Mama County's life took a troubling turn. Struggling with financial pressures and influenced by peers, she turned to drinking alcohol. After completing high school, she found herself feeling hopeless and desperate. Resorting to asking strangers for money to buy food, she reached a breaking point. In a bold move to seek better job opportunities, she decided to travel to Mombasa with a friend. 

After hitching a ride with a truck driver, they managed to reach Mlolongo, only to face further obstacles ahead. They encountered the same driver who had given them a lift previously, offering to take them to a hotel, an offer they declined. They found themselves stranded in Taita Taveta after the driver left them there, warning others not to offer them rides.  With no alternative, they were forced to spend the night on the road. After two gruelling days, they arrived in Mitangoni, where they found work in construction. Their days were spent carrying heavy loads of cement and water, enduring exhausting labour from morning till evening. The conditions were harsh, often leaving them sleeping outdoors and sometimes not even receiving payment for their hard work. When they did receive compensation, it amounted to a meagre 12 euros for two weeks of labour, barely enough to cover their basic needs. 

Amidst the challenges, Mama County faced unwanted advances from men at the construction site who offered her food, shelter, and companionship in exchange for her company. She refused to compromise on her principles, politely declining their offers while trying her best to appeal to their kindness for assistance with her essential needs. After enduring three challenging months in Mombasa, Mama County received a lifeline when her mother reached out and sent her money to return home in 2022. She hitched a ride with another truck driver and eventually made her way back home, relieved to be reunited with her family once again.

“I felt like ending my life. I was so lonely and alone and my mother couldn't help me.¨ Mama County narrated.

While searching for employment in the hotel industry in Naivasha, Mama County received a recommendation from a friend with children, who shared information about the ´Training and Employment for Children and Youth at Risk of Sexual Exploitation´ project and its training opportunities. Intrigued, she wasted no time and visited the K-NOTE center the same day. There, she completed a registration form detailing her background for qualification purposes. Following an interview, she was informed that she had been accepted for enrollment in the mechanic course.

Mama County was enrolled in a mechanic course in February 2023, spanning six months. Upon completion, she seised an apprenticeship opportunity with the garage owner, who is mentoring her in essential mechanical skills. 

In addition to the technical training, Mama County received life skills training. She received invaluable entrepreneurship skills, learning to differentiate between needs and wants while practising how to save money.  The group counselling sessions provided her with much-needed guidance and purpose especially when she faced overwhelming challenges and thoughts of giving up on life.

She received a start-up kit containing essential tools like spanners, Allen Keys, and open bolts. She aspires to purchase a toolbox and lock, as well as Y and ring spanners as her earnings grow. 

“K-NOTE project has helped me, I never imagined that anyone would pay for my school fees. I have always wanted to be a mechanic and now my dreams have become possible,” she reflected gratefully.