Reflecting on Progress and Embracing the Future - mailchi.mp/cleanstartafrica/…

Q1 PROGRESS REPORT: BUILDING MOMENTUM TOGETHER - *x.com/CleanStartKenya*

Empowering Women, One Partnership at a Time! 🫂 Clean Start Africa, led by @TeresaNjoroge , engaged with Lintons Academy, led by Pastor Susan Kimani & GM Jessica Franscica Colaco, to discuss ways to economically empower formerly imprisoned women. Together, we’ll unlock opportunities in the beauty, hair, nail & spa industries, paving the way for sustainable livelihoods. This partnership shows the power of collaboration in creating brighter futures for women & girls affected by the criminal justice system. 💙 Here’s to more collaborations that inspire change! ✨ #Empowerment #WomenSupportingWomen #SustainableLivelihoods

Happy New Year from Clean Start Africa! ✨ Cheers to a year of hope, second chances, and brighter futures. Together, we’ll make 2025 unforgettable!💙

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! 🎄 From all of us at Clean Start Africa, we wish you a season filled with love, joy, and kindness. As we celebrate, let us remember the power of community, compassion, and second chances.🫂💙

🇰🇪🇰🇪♥️ #JamhuriDay

Our second leg of prison visits concluded at Eldoret Women’s Prison, marking a milestone of 21 Women prisons visited across Kenya. Located in Uasin Gishu County, the prison houses 205 women and 14 children, this facility stands as a beacon of rehabilitation and empowerment. From paralegal services that ensure fair and accessible justice to skill-building initiatives like tailoring, farming, and detergent-making, the women here are gaining vital tools for reintegration. Partnerships with organizations like ELWOFOD further strengthen support, providing psycho-social aid, emergency relief, and economic skill development. During this visit, we witnessed a unique celebration, a combined tree-planting event with the SSP and a farewell party honoring a retired Madam, attended by inmates and stakeholders alike. We also had the privilege to address everyone present about Clean Start Africa and Sisters on the Outside (SOTO), sharing our mission and the transformative programs we aim to bring. We’re excited to return and begin impactful programs here!💙

Jane Kiio’s journey was marked by unimaginable challenges. One of her hardest moments was not having anyone to pay her cash bail, leaving her stuck in a place of uncertainty and pain. Meanwhile, her children were left alone without food, rent money, or support. Her son, desperate to help, turned to dangerous paths to try and free his mother, while her daughter, struggling to survive, sought help from family but was turned away. 💔 Through it all, what kept Jane going was her faith. She prayed every single day, believing that better days would come. 🙏 Clean Start became the lifeline Jane needed. It helped her heal, rediscover herself, and find the strength to rebuild her life.🫂 Today, freedom means everything to Jane. She can now work, earn money to support her family, and move through life without fear whether walking freely or simply answering her phone without anxiety. Her advice to women who feel alone is accept yourself and seek support. Clean Start is a family, a community of people who understand your journey and will walk with you every step of the way. 💙

Continuing our second leg of prison visits, we stopped at Meru Women’s Prison, housing 239 women and 35 children. We introduced Clean Start Africa and Ufunuo, discussed reintegration support, and explored new skill-building opportunities like poultry farming. Excited to begin this journey with them! #Prison #meru #Ufunuo

Clean Start Africa’s Legal Department, led by advocate Leila Kamweru, participated in a workshop at Lukenya Resort, organized by @fidakenya , @NCAJ_KE , and the @ReproRights. The workshop focused on harmonizing drafts into the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill 2024, addressing gaps and emerging issues in the Sexual Offences Act. We proudly represented our Board Director, @reneengamau , and amplified the voices of Formerly Imprisoned Women (FIW) and Imprisoned Women (IW) in shaping meaningful reforms. #SexualOffencesBill2024 #WomenForJustice

We are beyond proud to announce that our Founder and CEO, @TeresaNjoroge , has been honored with the Ginetta Sagan Award by @amnestyusa at the Amnesty Kenya offices. This prestigious award, named after the legendary human rights advocate Ginetta Sagan, celebrates women who have demonstrated extraordinary courage and unwavering commitment to advancing human rights, particularly the rights of women and children. Teresa’s tireless efforts to empower formerly imprisoned women and advocate for justice have made a profound impact on communities globally. Our community and the women we serve were there to celebrate this momentous occasion because this work is for them, and we do it for them. It is for every woman, every girl, and every child who deserves a chance to thrive, to be heard, and to be seen🫂 This recognition is a testament to the strength and resilience of the women we stand with. We are deeply grateful to @amnestyusa @irunguhoughton and @AmnestyKenya for this honor, and for walking alongside us in the fight for justice, equality, and dignity for all. Together, we will continue to break barriers and create lasting change.✨ #ginettasaganaward #HumanRights #JusticeForAll #Empowerment #WomenForChange

We are honored to be part of the transformative @EAPhilanthropy conference, uniting 180 nonprofit CEOs from across East Africa to rethink philanthropy’s role in building sustainable, resilient communities. Our CEO, @TeresaNjoroge , and incoming Board Chair, @reneengamau , proudly represented us, driving impactful discussions on reshaping philanthropy. We were delighted to connect with changemakers like Dr. @kofioseikusi , Roy of @TinadaOrg , and Uthabiti, among others, who are shaping the future of philanthropy. At Clean Start, we value partnerships that empower and uplift, and this forum highlighted the power of collective action to create meaningful change.

A big thank you to Lavington Rotary Club for inviting our CEO, @TeresaNjoroge, to speak and introduce them to Clean Start Africa’s work. Their support led to a powerful collaboration, culminating in a visit to Murang’a Women’s Prison alongside Rotary Club of Peponi and Ahadi Kenya Trust. Together, we explored ways to empower the women in prison and support their reintegration. We are grateful for their generous donations and commitment to making a real difference in our community. This is just the beginning of an impactful partnership for change!💙

We are deeply grateful to @PatMurugami , @riseschool_acad , Breakthrough Leadership Transformation, and RICA members for inviting Clean Start Africa to such a meaningful event. Your generosity and support, especially through the donations and backing of our Textile Hub, will empower formerly imprisoned women and their families, creating sustainable livelihoods. Thank you for believing in our mission and joining us on this journey of transformation. Together, we are making a real difference, one clean start at a time! 💙✨

Our journey across Western Kenya concluded at Bungoma Women’s Prison, where 88 women and 12 children are building brighter futures under the guidance of Madam Phyllis Chida. The prison is a hub of transformation, with women engaged in skills like brickmaking, beadwork, and vocational training certified by NITA. From academic pursuits like KCPE studies to hobbies, the women are proving that resilience and determination can thrive even in challenging circumstances. Introducing the Ufunuo Program sparked meaningful conversations about empowerment and personal growth. We can’t wait to return and begin implementing our programs!🤝🏾✨

For Mercy Atieno, one of the hardest parts of her journey was telling her daughter why she had been absent for so many years. With the help of her brother, she found the courage to explain where she had been and why. That honest conversation allowed her to begin rebuilding their relationship, and today, they are together as a family again.🫂 Her turning point came when she became a mother to twins. Knowing her family needed daily bread, Mercy knew she had to step up as a parent and work hard to provide for them.✨ At Clean Start, she found a safe space, a sisterhood of women who share her experiences and understand her pain. Together, they empower and support one another, proving the power of community in healing and growth. 💙 Her message to others is No situation is permanent! At the end of every challenge, there is always a way through. Hold on to hope and keep moving forward.🫶🏾

Our journey through the Western region brought us to Kakamega Women’s Prison, home to 85 women and 15 children. This facility is a shining example of transformation, having embraced our Ufunuo Training Program, which ran for three months last year and culminated in a colorful graduation ceremony. Through this program, the women gained life-changing skills in self-awareness, effective communication, stress management, financial healing, and comprehensive entrepreneurship. The training has equipped them to tackle challenges, rebuild their lives, and set meaningful goals for the future. Paralegal training provided by Kakamega Justice Centre and Vihiga Community Justice Centre has empowered inmates with legal knowledge, resulting in over 5,000 successful releases. Additionally, their spiritual wellness programs and vocational studies in tailoring, baking, and detergent-making have further enhanced their capacity for reintegration. We also introduced them to the Sisters on the Outside (SOTO) movement, which offers continued support upon release, fostering economic empowerment and sustainable livelihoods. Kakamega Women’s Prison is proof that education, empowerment, and community partnerships can create a brighter path for incarcerated women.✨

Our CEO, Teresa Njoroge, and Board Adviser & Strategist, Dr. Malele Ngalu, delivered an engaging and insightful session at the @UBAKENYA Head Office on Fraud Awareness, themed ’One Team, One Goal, United Against Fraud.’ Joined by UBA MD Mary Mulili, Head of Internal Audit Robert Chirchir, and dedicated UBA staff, the discussion underscored the power of teamwork and integrity in the fight against fraud.