Rahma and Farhiya – refugees from Somalia – are the owners of Farhiya’s Salon in Eastleigh, Nairobi. They’re urban refugees, people who have fled their homes but who live outside of the camp system. They’ve made a living offering typical salon services, like haircuts and styling. But, they’re determined to provide for their customer’s futures, too.
Inside their salon, they have a training space for teaching refugee women the skills they need to compete in the competitive Eastleigh economy. “16 years ago we started this salon with only $300. And now here we are!” Rahma recalls. She knows how a little capital – and a little training – can go a long way toward helping people get on their feet.
But on Day 107, we discovered a problem – their business license had expired last year. They were at risk of being shut down. They just hadn’t been able to pull together enough funds to make it happen. But we saw something we could solve.
With the help of our friend Daud, we set to work visiting the right offices in the central business district to get their salon license renewed.
And just like that, Rahma and Farhiya had their business back.
These two entrepreneurial women have dedicated their livelihoods to helping others. To showing women like them that change is possible – that with the right tools, the right training, they can do anything. They’ve found their unique gift to give to the world, and they’re joyfully sharing it with others.
In many ways, Rahma and Farhiya are already doing the doable, all the time. We’re proud that we could help these women stand just a little taller, smile a little brighter, and be that much more confident, today.
