Shaney Swale, a middle-aged, single parent from Kongowea, Mombasa, thought she has met the man of her dreams in her high school boyfriend. During their nine years of dating, Shaney managed to complete her high school education and was presented with an opportunity to travel to Canada for work.

After spending a considerable time working in Canada, Shaney returned home and moved in with her boyfriend. Little did she know that her life was about to take a turn for the worse. Gradually, the cracks in their relationship began to appear, and the weight of her burdens bore down upon her. It was during her pregnancy that everything unravelled between them.

Her boyfriend’s behaviour grew increasingly intolerable, subjecting her to mistreatment and body shaming, ridiculing the changes her body underwent during pregnancy. The wounds inflicted on her soul cut deep, eroding her self-esteem and plunging her into the depths of depression. Shaney felt trapped, with no choice but to seek refuge in her parents’ home, hoping to escape the torment that plagued her existence.

Those were the darkest days of Shaney’s life, a period where the world seemed devoid of colour and joy. Overwhelmed by a profound sense of loneliness, she withdrew from the world, reluctant to engage with others or find solace in any activity. However, when she found herself cradling her new-born child, a sense of resolve and determination pushed her to look for ways to provide for her son.

In her pursuit of financial independence, Shaney embarked on a small business venture, selling chapatis to eke out a modest living. It was during this time that she encountered a friend who introduced her to CREAW, an organization that offered invaluable psychosocial support. The embrace of compassionate souls helped her mend the fragments of her shattered mental well-being, reigniting a flicker of hope within her weary heart.

Through CREAW, Shaney was enrolled in the transformative Jasiri program, designed to empower women, youth, and individuals with disabilities who had suffered from the effects of gender-based violence. The program aimed to equip survivors with the tools needed to build socio-economic resilience, fortifying them against the onslaught of economic shocks and domestic turmoil.

With unwavering dedication, Shaney immersed herself in the program, devouring knowledge on business management and entrepreneurship. She qualified for her first loan of Ksh 100,000 which breathed life into her small chapati selling venture transforming it into a flourishing retail shop. This was an important turning point, that lifted her from the shackles of constant struggle. No longer did she have to rely on her parents or worry about her son’s future. Due to the intervention of Jasiri Fund, Shaney’s business has managed to generate a monthly earning of Ksh.40,000 where she can now provide her son with a comfortable life, ensuring his education and well-being is secured.

Reflecting on her remarkable journey, Shaney offers a beacon of hope to women caught in similar webs of despair. She urges them to recognize that even in the darkest moments, there exists a glimmer of light, a path to liberation and triumph. By reaching out for support and embracing the helping hands extended towards them, they can emerge on the other side, transformed and empowered.