Esperance has always had a natural talent for business. As a 12-year-old living in the Democratic Republic of Congo, she grew fruits (bananas, avocados, and sugarcanes) on her family’s homestead. After the harvesting season, she would store the fruits to ripen and sell them at the market.
In 2013, Esperance and her family were forced to flee their home due to the civil war. They traveled by boat to Tanzania and found their way to the Kenyan border. When Esperance arrived in Nairobi, she used her farming skills to plant and sell vegetables. Esperance also sold tea and mandazis (home-cooked buns) to support her family.
In November 2023, Esperance was introduced to RefugePoint by a community worker who identified her case for medical assistance. With RefugePoint’s support, her family received medical care, essential food assistance, and house rent, which reinforced her determination to improve her family’s life.
After observing her local community’s love for fish, Esperance saw a business opportunity and decided to learn how to fry fish. She used the profits from her tea and mandazi business to purchase a wok and fish from the local market. In the evenings, Esperance would deep-fry the fish to sell at a roadside stall. Soon, customers from all over the neighborhood began to frequent her stall.
In early 2024, Esperance enrolled in RefugePoint’s business training program, where she learned how to manage her profits and maintain a steady cash flow. Following the training, she received a business grant to expand her business.
“I purchased the big and small omena (small fish), added [nile perch] fish, and a refrigerator,” Esperance told us when we visited her stall. “I have also purchased tomatoes and onions. When someone buys fish they can purchase tomatoes and onions simultaneously.”
With profits from the business, Esperance is able to meet her family’s needs and is mindful of saving her profits and managing her stock. “I feel great because what I need I can get from the business,” Esperance shared. “My children are going to school and they eat regularly, [and] I can pay my rent from the business [profits]. That is what makes me happy with this business.”
Esperance is one of over 200 refugees who participate each year in RefugePoint’s Business Development Skills training. Learn how you can support more refugees here.