Community Engagement
Some of our most successful programs were never part of the original plan.
They emerged because we listened.
In 2012, we travelled to West Pokot, one of Kenya’s hardest-to-reach regions, to better understand the realities facing women and girls in rural and marginalized regions. Community leaders challenged us to think differently. They told us that traditional approaches would not be enough. Young women needed a safe place to learn, build confidence, gain practical skills and imagine a future that looked different from the one they had inherited.
HER Lab was born from those conversations.
Years later, as HER Lab continued to grow, another group of women began to capture our attention. They were mothers, farmers and caregivers. Many had never completed their education. They wanted to improve their lives and support their families, but they could not leave their homes and responsibilities to attend a full-time program. Once again, we listened. The result was the HER Financial Freedom Program.
This is how we work
We start by listening to women and girls. We listen to parents, elders, local leaders, employers and community organizations. We pay attention to what is working, what is not working and where opportunities exist. Then we work together to find solutions.
We do not believe communities should simply participate in programs. We believe they should help shape them.
When communities have ownership, change lasts longer. New ideas are embraced more quickly. Families become champions. Local leaders become advocates. Women and girls gain the support they need to pursue education, employment and financial independence.
The strongest programs are not the ones we build for communities.
They are the ones communities build with us.
