Alice Muthoni's Journey from Student to Entrepreneur & Walking away from a toxic life
Alice Muthoni lives in Korogocho Slum in Nairobi. Life in Korogocho is difficult. The slum lacks sanitation services, water, and electricity. Life is also affected by the spread of HIV, drug and alcohol addictions, as well as domestic violence. Every facet of the living conditions is characterized by extreme poverty,
Alice gave birth to her child in a tiny house which is made of old corrugated sheet metal, wood, and mud. Soon after the birth, the child’s father abandoned Alice and the newborn baby. Now alone, Alice worked odd jobs while carrying the baby on her back. On days when she was lucky enough to find work, she earned 0.6 US a day. With this she was able to buy food but was not able to buy charcoal to cook. This led her to burn gunny and plastic bags for cooking. Her house was filled with fumes and soot which never leaves the house.
One day Alice heard about YOMOSCO. She walked for two hours to reach the YOMOSCO training center, and joined the program. When she graduated, by a miracle she was given a sewing machine by a kind volunteer. Now she has her own business and can pay rent, buy food, and not burn plastic when cooking. Finally, Alice has room to breath by exhaling the past and inhaling the future.