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Meet the women who built a thriving business from Sh500 and boundless courage

Monica Akai displays cakes at Binti Shujaa Women's Bakery in Suguta Mar Mar town, Samburu County. She is one of 25 former sex workers who transformed their lives by establishing a successful bakery business. 

Photo credit: Geoffrey Ondieki | Nation Media Group

What you need to know:

  • A former sex workers' bakery in Samburu County, has transformed from a Sh500 savings initiative into a thriving enterprise employing 25 women.
  • Through determination and financial literacy training, these women overcame exploitation to build Binti Shujaa Women's Bakery, now a respected local business.


The sweet scent of success hangs heavy in the air, a welcome contrast to the dust swirling outside. Inside a modest bakery, a group of women, aprons crisp and headscarves neatly tied, work with a focused energy.  The rhythmic kneading of dough, the gentle icing of cakes, and the careful arrangement of golden loaves on trays create a symphony of industry. Laughter bubbles up between them, a shared joy in the work of their hands. This is Binti Shujaa Women’s Bakery, a testament to the resilience and determination of women who have dared to rewrite their stories.

These are women who once knew the harsh reality of life on the streets of Samburu, where sex work was a means of survival, not a choice.  Driven by poverty, limited opportunities, and often, the weight of negative cultural practices, they found themselves trapped in a cycle that seemed impossible to break.  Many are single mothers, some forced into early marriages and later abandoned, carrying burdens far too heavy for any one person to bear.

“Sex work was never a choice,” says Monica Akai, one of the bakery's founders. Her voice is steady, but the memory lingers in her eyes. “I did it to survive with my family. I had families to feed, school fees to pay, and there was no other way to make money. It was not out of choice.”

The dangers they faced were constant: the threat of violence from clients, the fear of police crackdowns, and the ever-present risk of sexually transmitted infections.  Beyond the physical risks, the stigma of their work isolated them, a heavy cloak of shame that separated them from their community. 

Abusive marriage

“I can say I really struggled with depression and hopelessness,” Monica confides. “Sometimes you cannot find a client, and it means that the whole family who are depending on me are going to go without food. It was not easy at all.”

*Nasieku’s story is equally heart-breaking.  She sought refuge in sex work after fleeing an abusive marriage, where she endured constant violence.  Her family offered no solace, turning her away, leaving her with nowhere to go. 

“So, the only way to survive was to engage in sex work,” she explains, her voice thick with emotion. “It is not as easy as people think. We were going through moments that deprive your dignity as a woman and as a human being.”

In 2022, a glimmer of hope appeared. The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) launched a financial literacy and skills training program for vulnerable women and girls in Samburu. The initiative aimed to empower women to transition from high-risk, low-income jobs to sustainable businesses. 

The women were introduced to Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs), a form of community-based banking where members pool their savings and offer each other small loans. This simple yet transformative concept has enabled more than 25 sex workers to leave the streets behind and build a better future.

“At first, I didn’t trust the idea,” Monica admits.  “I had no experience with banking or saving in my life because whatever I used to get from sex work was meant to pay bills, and it was never enough. But I gave it a try and am loving it already.”

Monica is one of the Binti Shujaa Bakery founders. None of the women had any prior baking experience, but they were determined to learn. 

Photo credit: Geoffrey Ondieki | Nation Media Group

Starting with contributions as small as Sh500 a week, the women of Binti Shujaa slowly built a communal fund.  Monica, demonstrating her commitment, saves three shares, a total of Sh1,500 weekly.  This translates to more than Sh75,000 by the end of the year, plus the interest earned from loans to other members.

Emboldened by their initial success, the women decided to pool their resources for a larger venture.  With a loan from their savings group, they rented a small space and bought an oven.  And so, Binti Shujaa Women’s Bakery was born.

None of them had any prior baking experience, but they were determined to learn. They received training, experimenting with different recipes, their first attempts yielding uneven cakes and dense bread. But with each batch, they honed their skills, their creations becoming more refined, more delicious.

“Customers started noticing the difference,” says *Alimo, another woman who has turned her life around. “They eventually loved our cakes, and soon we had numerous orders for birthdays and weddings.”

Word of their delicious baked goods spread quickly through Suguta Mar Mar.  The bakery flourished, expanding its offerings to include chapatis, doughnuts, and even catering services.

Today, the bakery employs 25 women, supplying baked goods to local shops throughout Suguta Mar Mar.  The women have also used their savings to launch their own micro-businesses, selling vegetables, crafting beaded jewellery, and running small eateries.

Stella Akai, a local teacher, speaks of the women’s transformation with pride.  “The girls were being mistreated in the streets, and it was disheartening to see as a mother,” she says. “It was hard to talk to them at first…but I am happy they are reformed and are undertaking normal daily routines and are supporting their families.” 

She emphasises that the women are no longer seen as outcasts but as respected business owners and role models. Their success has inspired other women in the community to seek a better life.

Training

With demand growing, the women of Binti Shujaa are now looking to expand.  Their dreams include purchasing modern baking equipment and establishing a larger bakery, creating even more jobs and opportunities. 

Monica adds that they are committed to training other women in financial literacy, empowering them to take control of their lives and build a brighter future for themselves and their families.

The aroma of freshly baked cakes in Suguta Mar Mar is more than just a delicious smell; it's the sweet scent of hope, resilience, and the unwavering spirit of women who have dared to rise above their circumstances.

*Names changed to protect the women's identity.