The Women of Project Biashara: Mary Wayua

The harsh conditions in the Kibera slum make everyday life extremely challenging. Starting and maintaining a business is even more difficult. Fortunately, with your help, Project Biashara provides the women of Kibera an opportunity to expand their business skills and provide for their families. These talented and bright women are learning more and contributing to the community in ways that used to be mere dreams.

Mary Wayua (46) is one of the many women who owns a business through the support of Project Biashara. She is a mother a four (Isaac, Judy, Elizabeth, Sarah) and a grandmother of three (Anton, Peace, Joshua) and is a familiar face to all teams that visit New Hope Primary School. In spite of having limited education and persistent health issues, she picked up English very quickly and embraces every opportunity to continue learning. In fact, she actually served as a translator when I was interviewing some of the women involved with the project.

For her Biashara (business) she makes beaded jewelry, and sells bags, groceries, and vegetables. Even though her business operates within the slum, she dreams of expansion. Mary hopes to expand her project abroad, allowing her to reach new customers and expand her business internationally.

Project Biashara provided the funds to cover some of the upfront costs in starting Mary’s business, and also continues to assist her in the purchase of food and needed medication. The assistance allows her to maintain her strength to run her business and provide for her family despite constant illness.

As she’s received assistance with her business and health, she also gives back. Mary believes that Project Biashara is God’s gift, and therefore willingly shares what she’s received with others. She tithes and gives offerings to her local church and also gives to those that have less and are in need. Even in her difficult circumstances, she maintains that her identity is firmly rooted in Christ, and nothing else. Every team that has the opportunity to meet and interact with Mary does not meet a “charity case,” but meets a woman whose faith is both admirable and beautiful.

Please pray for Mary, as life remains challenging. She hopes to move out of her current neighborhood where religious tensions and conflicts are high. Mary also fights difficult medical conditions that make working and raising a family even more difficult. In this period of tumultuous economic crisis around the world, business struggles. Pray that Mary will see her dream through and spread her business to the international level.

Project Biashara is a blessing to the women of Kibera like Mary, and even more of a blessing to the body of Christ. Through Project Biashara, we help remove the barriers that prevent people from pursuing their dreams. These women are not only getting more opportunity, but are also pouring out in their communities and spreading God’s love to all their neighbors.

Helen's Story

This month we are focusing on the individual people involved in the ministries that New Hope Initiative supports. We often report on our work in the Nairobi area slum called Kibera. There are so many areas of progress we could report on, but we want to focus on a great blessing in the life of one of our New Hope Primary Students.

In Kenya, as in any culture, adolescent girls face the pressure of conforming to standards of beauty and physical appearance.  Helen Blank is no different from most of the girls her age. Two years ago, Helen (12) attempted to pierce her own ears. However, it did not go as planned and she developed a tumor on her earlobe. This tumor grew rapidly until it was the size of a golf ball. At an age when young ladies are often very shy and self-conscious, this was a very difficult burden for Helen to bear.  She is a beautiful young lady, with an infectious smile, but Helen began to cover her ear at all times and almost never allowed people to see that side of her face. While a curable problem, the cost of the outpatient procedure required was too costly for her family.

In the midst of these trying circumstances, many of our team members have taken a great interest in Helen over the last two years and have loved her throughout the challenge. We are so happy to report that in September, through the new medical clinic program in Kibera, we took Helen to an outpatient clinic and the doctors removed the tumor. You can see the dramatic difference in the before and after photos. We are so excited for this blessing in Helen's life and we are thankful for our New Hope Initiative team that helped make it happen.

Christmas Magic

You can bring incredible joy this holiday season to some of the poorest children in the world as you participate in our New Hope Initiative Christmas Project. We are hosting numerous Christmas parties in homes across America to raise funds for the children that New Hope Initiative sponsors in Africa and Asia. All of these funds (100%) will go towards Christmas presents for the children and projects that will directly impact their lives. These parties are informal, fun, and a great way for you to share your passion for New Hope Initiative with your friends and family. Check out our website to see if there is a party scheduled in your community. If there are none in your area, you can host a party!

We have a package available that will allow you to host a party. It is simple, easy, and is a great way to make a difference in the lives of the children New Hope Initiative sponsors. If you are interested in learning more about hosting, please email Beth Snyder. Make this a very special Christmas for some very special children.