Diana Karua

My name is Nasraden and I’m a refugee from Ethiopia. I am a husband and a father of two children. I am separated from both my parents, sisters, brothers, aunt, and uncles back in my home country. I left my home country because of a political war. I was pursuing my studies when people were demonstrating against the government. The government started pursuing people to death, some of us were killed, others were taken to jail, and others ran away from our country. This is how we became refugees.

In 2016, I fled my country and traveled by a lorry to Kenya. I found myself in a foreign country where the language became a significant obstacle. Back in my home country, we don’t speak English or Kiswahili; we only speak Oromo and Amharic. Initially, my friend employed me to work in his shop. The language was a significant barrier to running the business, as I struggled to communicate effectively with my clients. Additionally, when COVID-19 came, we had to close down the shop for seven months for fear of contracting the disease.

During that time, I got married. I am now a father of two children. In 2023, I met Galgalo, RefugePoint’s Community Navigator, who introduced me to RefugePoint. I was given food to feed my family, house rent for six months, and medical assistance. Whenever I got sick or anyone in my family did, we would go to the public hospital, get a prescription, and then forward it to RefugePoint, where we would receive free medicine. I was also enrolled in business skills training, and subsequently, I received a grant to start my own business. I sell a variety of clothing items, including jeans, T-shirts, shirts, and jackets. I also sell various types of shoes. My business is doing well to the point that I can easily pay rent for my shop, where I work, and I can even pay my house rent without struggle.

I don’t know how to express my gratitude to RefugePoint. I would like to thank all the staff at RefugePoint, as you have done a great deal for me and my family. We don’t lack what to eat, we don’t lack school fees, we don’t lack house rent. Now, my life is not bad, but I will continue to press on and work hard with determination and seriousness so that I can transform my life into a better one.

I desire that my children attend good schools that offer a high quality of education, so that in the future, they can pursue careers as doctors, engineers, or other important professions.

Most importantly, I pray that one of my children will become president in my home country or even in Kenya.

I left my home country (Democratic Republic of the Congo) because of war. We were attacked at night. Houses were being burnt, and we ran away from my village on foot up to a specific area where we met truck drivers who gave us a ride in those big vehicles that carry charcoal from Congo to Uganda. From Uganda, we came to Kenya by bus through the Busia border.

Life was not easy when we arrived in Kenya. We lived in a church which also provided us with food and clothes. Life was hard because I didn’t have a job to provide for my family. That’s why I decided to begin hawking bottled water.

Before I met RefugePoint, I lived in a small house. My husband used to work for a transport company that operated buses from Nairobi to Mombasa, Kampala, and Rwanda. However, he later fell ill due to health issues and was unable to continue his work. RefugePoint provided us with food and medical support for my husband so that he could receive comprehensive treatment. After several months of treatment, he was finally healed. I also received business training and financial assistance to establish my own business. I worked hard until I had enough income from my business, then I moved into a bigger house where my children could sleep comfortably.

I am now a businesswoman. I sell a variety of phone accessories, including phone covers, screen protectors, earphones, phone chargers, and more. I also run an event hiring business where I provide decorations for events such as weddings, birthdays, graduations, bridal showers, and baby showers. Additionally, I rent out suits for men, wedding gowns, podiums, chairs, red and green carpets, stage lights, traditional attire and baskets. I have also started another business selling honey from Tanzania.

From the profit interest I get from my businesses, I am able to care for my family. I bought a large, expensive bed for my children, which they can now sleep comfortably on. I also bought good curtains for my house. For my savings, I deposit money in my home bank as soon as I receive it. In addition, we formed a chama (savings group) of three people, where each of us contributes KES 1,000 ($8) per day, and at the end of the month, everyone receives KES 30,000 ($230).

My businesses are doing well. I’m making enough profit to pay school fees, purchase food for my family, and save for my future. We used to spend a lot on my husband’s treatment, but since we started receiving medical assistance from RefugePoint, we are now doing well. What motivated me to engage in business is because I love to have my own money. I don’t like to be employed. If I want to buy something for my family I can purchase it with my money without burdening my husband. What makes me happy is that I can contribute something to my family instead of relying on others for support.