Esperance

In early 2020, Esperance was laid off as a waitress and launched her own business selling special maize flour and other Congolese delicacies in Nairobi’s Kasarani area. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, some of her clients stopped buying her products, considering them luxuries, while others began taking the items on credit, with promises to repay Esperance as soon as they could. When she joined RefugePoint’s Urban Refugee Protection Program in late 2020, Esperance had only four sacks of flour left to sell. 

In January 2021, RefugePoint provided Esperance with a $370 business grant as well as food and rent support, which allowed her to restock her shop and increase the variety of products she sold. After completing  RefugePoint’s Business Development Skills workshop, Esperance learned how to run her business more efficiently and opened a savings account. 

Esperance’s business quickly grew, and within two months, she had profited $170. Unfortunately, thieves stole $250 worth of her stock. Esperance prevailed and began collecting the debts her clients owed. She also negotiated with her suppliers for lines of credit for the goods she needed. RefugePoint provided Esperance with another $300 business grant to support the recovery of her business. 

Esperance remains positive and hopeful for a brighter future. “I’m still young, and I have started to be self-sufficient. Now, I know that my future will be very good,” she stated. As a message of hope to fellow female refugee entrepreneurs, she said: “Be self-sufficient. There’s nothing as sweet as spending your own money, knowing you worked hard for it. You feel great since you know you don’t owe anyone anything.”