Mary

Mary from Eldoret, Kenya

I'm ready to support my daughter by making and selling traditional Kiondo bags!

I need $350 to buy supplies. I've learned to grow sisal and weave bags-- with the funds to get started I can build a business and make a good living.

Overview

I am a 25 year old mother and fistula survivor. I was married and became pregnant very, very young, and labored for five days. The baby was stillborn and my husband left me. Now I have a colostomy to manage the fistula.

My goals are to open a small business selling Kiondo bags to earn money for my daughter, who is 12. She needs school fees and uniform and food. I learned the making of Kiondo bags in a workshop with Beyond Fistula.

I need $350 to buy supplies for making Kiondo bags. Where I am from, we grow sisal and I will use that to make the bags and sell them for income.

Meeting this need will help me because I want very much to be independent financially. I want to set a good example for my daughter that she can earn her own money and will not have to marry young and have children young like me. When I have the supplies, I will be able to start my business and have my dream.

Need funded!

Thank you for helping Mary fund this need.

$198of $350

Need funded!

8 supporters

Validated

This need has been validated by Debra from Beyond Fistula


Recent supporters

  1. $10
  2. $5
  3. $10
  4. $53
  5. $10
  6. $50
  7. $35

Debra

Validated

Validated by Debra from Beyond Fistula (What does this mean?)

Mary is a bright young woman whom I met when she completed the Kiondo bag weaving workshop. She is warm and kind despite the fact that life has not always been the same to her. Mary loves her little girl fiercely and has a good plan laid out to earn money with her small business selling Kiondo bags. Beyond Fistula will be checking in and supporting her on her journey.

About Debra

I am the co-founder and Executive Director of Beyond Fistula. I founded the nonprofit in 2012 after seeing how much these young Kenyan women needed help rebuilding their lives after recovering from a childbirth injury known as obstetric fistula. I am endlessly motivated by their hope and tenacity… Read more