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Susan learning to sew at eduKenya's skill training center[/caption]Hope departed, gravely ill, waiting to die. This is how Susan described her life nearly two years ago when she started receiving support through eduKenya’s Home Based Care (HBC) program. Stricken with a life-threatening condition, Susan was unable to generate income to provide for her two daughters, leaving them insufficiently nourished and unable to attend school.“My health was very poor and I used to beg from relatives and friends just to get a meal and upkeep for my children. I was hopeless. I thank God that I came here because I was counseled and given a new hope.” Susan joined a HBC support group, which connected her with others facing the same challenges.“They (HBC staff) helped me see that I could go on with my life if only I had purpose.” At the encouragement of HBC staff, Susan joined eduKenya’s sewing skills training program to gain income generating skills to provide for her family. She eagerly committed herself to the yearlong sewing training program and finished in just seven months, trained in how to design, cut and sew clothing and other items such as curtains, bags and cushions.From the outset of her training, Susan purposed to save 50 Kenyan Shillings (equivalent to $.57) each day toward the purchase of a sewing machine. She managed to save 6,000 Kenyan Shillings ($68) and, together with a small monetary gift, was able to buy a simple sewing machine on the day she finished her training. With a sewing machine, she was able to start a small sewing business in a kiosk.Business was good for a while. Susan was able to feed her family, pay her children’s school fees and sustain her business. Then her shop was broken into and all of her assets - her garments, fabric and savings - were stolen, except for her sewing machine. Though she was devastated, Susan was thankful that she could start over again with her sewing machine.“Although this set me back, I did not lose hope. I had learned from those counseling me that life does not come to an end when trouble, pain and loss come to me. I started over again and set new goals for my life.” Susan moved her business to her home and reestablished a profitable sewing business.Though Susan didn’t attend high school because her parents couldn’t afford the school fees, she has already saved enough money to pay for her eldest daughter to attend high school. From the profits of her sewing business, she supports her sister who is in high school and two other sisters who attend college at Kijabe Mission Hospital Nursing School.

God has been good to me. From a hopelessly weak and ailing woman, God has brought transformation to my entire family. He gave me hope and that was the beginning of my transformation. I learned a skill that has been my entire family’s source of income. My children go to school. I have savings. My sisters are doing well and I do not need to beg anymore from relatives and friends. I have come out of great trouble and I now look ahead to a future filled with hope. I will achieve the goals I have set for my life because it is filled with purpose. I thank God for bringing me to eduKenya where I met people He used to bring about transformation in my life.”

eduKenya's Home Based Care program is an outreach in partnership with the Believers Centre Church to people living with HIV/AIDS and other life-threatening conditions. Program participants are visited at home and join support groups with others facing the same challenges to receive spiritual and emotional support. eduKenya works in collaboration with health care providers to connect participants with clinics that offer free care and antiretroviral drugs. Participants also learn valuable skills and earn income by making handicrafts such as hats, jewelry and mats.