Grace*

My name is Grace. I am a refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Before the war, life at home was pretty good. My family had a steady income from our cattle and land, and work wasn’t too tough. But we were missing peace. At night, armed groups would show up and start shooting without warning. They’d break into homes and kill anyone they found. They didn’t care if it was a child or a parent. A lot of people died, and those who survived had no choice but to leave.

My journey to Nairobi was long. I walked most of the way with a group of people, passing Bunagana into Busia, before a kind stranger gave us a ride to Nairobi. I arrived in Nairobi in March 2016 and reunited with my husband, who had fled in 2015. He was working as a security guard. My experience in Nairobi was really tough. I started selling vitenges (African wax prints), but I struggled with the local language. In Congo, we combine Kiswahili with French, but in Kenya, Kiswahili is often mixed with English. Initially, it was really confusing, but I put in a lot of effort to learn.
When my business failed, I started selling watermelons and pineapples. I might have been the first Congolese to sell fruits, so I felt embarrassed and would hide when I saw another Congolese. Later, I got a job selling African clothing and jewelry. After that, I worked at a water refill shop for about three years. But I realized that life kept changing. So I started saving, hoping that one day I could restart my business.

I saved enough money to start a clothing business. However, since clothing sales are seasonal, I struggled with paying rent and supporting my family. In 2024, I met Olive, a Community Navigator at RefugePoint. She referred me to RefugePoint, and in the same year, I was enrolled in the business training program. After the training, I changed my business plan and started selling food.
I sell maize flour, peanut flour, and cassava flour in small and bulk quantities. I also sell tomato paste. Food never goes out of season, and people buy it every day. I really love my job.

Self-reliance has changed my life. You can see where I started and how I’ve grown. I’ve moved to a new level. I’m able to work and pay my rent. I have a child, and I can also pay for my child’s school fees.

Life still has its ups and downs, but as long as we are healthy and strong, we can rebuild our lives. I see a bright future ahead of me. With hard work, savings, and determination, I believe my dream of owning a big business is possible.

*Name changed for protection.