Lavender lives in Korogocho with her mother and siblings. Korogocho is a slum located in the densely populated Eastland’s area of Nairobi, the fourth largest slum after Kibera and Mathare.
Most of the structures are made of old ‘mabati’ (iron sheets) and other recycled materials. The slum is densely packed with narrow footpaths that also serve as a playground, sewer, and drainage.
Poverty and unemployment are high as many depend on small informal trades. Crime, alcohol, drugs, substance use and abuse, and sex work are prevalent.
Lavender’s parents separated when she was very young because of her father’s drinking.
She completed her secondary education and later joined a vocational institution to pursue a diploma in social work and community development. Due to increasing family demands, she dropped out to wash clothes with her mother for cash.
Through a DREAMS program, she was trained on how to save and use money wisely. She was selected to mentor other young girls to form saving groups to help them reach their short term and long term financial goals.
From her monthly stipend, she pays for her course and will graduate in December 2018.
“With the skills taught in DREAMS, I will never allow a man like my father in my life or even depend on men for money since I am working. If it weren’t for DREAMS, I would be in an abusive marriage like my mother.”
Lavender
Girls with DREAMS
This profile is taken from the PEPFAR Kenya “Our Lens Sauti Zetu (Our Voices)” photo book — a compilation of images captured by DREAMS girls highlighting their own stories.
The following DREAMS girls were the eyes behind the lens and beautifully captured the stories of the young women featured in the project: Dorcas Akinyi Onyango, Agnes Wanjiru Mugure, Flovian Atieno, Faith Akumu, Francisca Ndinda, Effie Awino, Fatuma Lando, Dorothy Oyuga, Linet Odira, Hellen Atieno.
Text and images from “Our Lens Sauti Zetu (Our Voices)” are used with permission from PEPFAR Kenya. Learn more about Girls with DREAMS.