What motivated you to start the organization?
I co-founded CWE-TECH with my friend, Dr Judy Makira, a lecturer at Embu University, in 2017. We were concerned about the plight of women in the community. We felt that when women integrate the use of technology in their socio-economic activities, they will realise a quantum leap in development, thus making our society better.
We organise sensitisation programs for girls including sensitisation on Covid-19, the impact of Covid-19 on education and sexual reproductive health. This has seen 102 girls ranging from 10 to 19 years benefit from six months’ supply of sanitary towels, six pieces of dettol soaps, a kitenge mask, a pen and Jik.
We also engage youths on basic computer skills; coding and application development as mitigation measures to keep girls constructively occupied, informed of their sexual and reproductive health rights and to learn essential tech skills.
During the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence we spent time with girls who were married at a tender age and are now mothers. In six high schools, we have been walking he girls through technology. We have launched the 'Techno-Hub Girls Club' and also the Google shared a slide document through which girls will air their voices, thoughts, emotions, fears and dreams during the long holidays.
We started by giving back to society by using our own personal funds, then it grew to a point where we received material for sensitisation on ending GBV during the 16 days of Activism from GBV Network Uganda. During this Covid-19, pandemic we received support to carry out activities for vulnerable girls from Ahadi Trust Kenya and AYARHEP.
We recently received funds from Roddenberry Foundation +1 Global Fund as a nominater to support on our programs during the COVID pandemic
I fear failing in whatever I do. I have always ensured that everything I touch, I give it my best.
I treasure honesty, hard work, resilience, integrity and innovativeness
Touching the lives of women and girls in our small way. I have trained three women groups in Kabondo on basic computer skills and mobile banking skills which has seen them save the money they used as transport to do manual banking.
My immediate job before my organisation was a pioneer county Chief Officer of Energy in Homa Bay County in 2014. I was declared the highest user of kerosene for lighting in Kenya. I started an initiative, 'Operation Nyangile Out,' which gave me the name 'Min Mach.' The campaign so many households adopt the use of the solar lantern for lighting instead of the kerosene lantern.
I wake up at 4:50am prepare and leave for exercises for one hour. We are a team of eight ladies with a gym instructor. At 7am, I freshen up and I am ready for the day.
Before the coronavirus pandemic, would go to the office but now we carry all the works online. I work from home.
After the morning meetings, I go through online newspapers, read emails, respond where necessary then I plan for activities and conferences. My official work ends at around 3pm then I head home to family.
In the evening from 10pm before I sleep, I must read and review a topic or a journal to help on my PhD thesis that I'm currently pursuing.
I have been inspired by several women who are fighting to end poverty, including Jacqueline Novogratz, the founder of Acumen, and Jensine Larsen, the founder of World Pulse. Here at home, Benadette Muyomi and Milcah Makato are my mentors. These ladies are trailblazers
We work to end the cycle of poverty and impart necessary skills for socio-economic empowerment for women and girls. We impart knowledge and skills to end sexual violence.
I spend my money on personal normal budgets and occasionally giving welfare support of various welfare activities
Githeri. I prepare with green maize, yellow beans and groundnuts. With avocado on the side… Anytime for me
Does your work interfere with your family responsibilities? If not, how do you manage?
No. I am now in a flexible kind of job, as the CEO, I plan when to execute my activities. I give myself time to relax and think on the way forward and I can handle family affairs quite easily
Future plans, where do you see yourself in the next five years?
I am looking at an organisation with major positive impact on women and girls countrywide and beyond. I am optimistic that in the next year, we will be far. More lives will have been touched.
