News from Baraka Women's Center

Dec 2022

 

 

BWC Director, Teresia Njora,  a strong advocate for the women entrepreneurs trained at the Center, was featured in media coverage of The Hustler Fund launch.

 

This presidential initiative intends to “help small business owners …establish a culture of saving, investment, and social security.”  Baraka's business women are in the queue.

 

Nov 2022

Success Story - Teresia Wanjiku

 

"When I joined BWC, I found other young mothers like me who wanted to acquire skills. We were introduced to the BWC vocational skills...  

 

Today I am the lead trainer in tailoring and dress making and making many designs for African bags and dresses. I am in charge of the new machines which were bought by U.S. Ambassador’s Self-Help Fund. These machines  have helped us to design and make unique African bags and African attire that are being sold in exhibitions. This has had a great impact on my life! I am being marketed nationally and I am receiving so many orders."   Read more

Oct 2022

 

Nairobi Governor

 

Pastor Njora and Dr. Teresia Njora meet Governor Sakaja at the Nairobi show ground. Pastor Njora demonstrates the use of one of the products.

It will be a delight for Baraka to work with the Nairobi governor for the next few years.

Oct 2022

 

Kenya Deputy President 

 

Teresia Njora meets His Excellency Deputy President Hon Rigathi Gachagua at the Nairobi Exhibition Center.

 

This exhibition offered the opportunity to display BMFA's exceptional line of clothing and accessories.

Sept 2022

Visit from Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI)                          

Ngina Ndungu (left) and James Onongo, CEO of KNCCI

are hosted for an informational session by Teresia Njora, BWC Center Director and Wanjiru Ngigi, BWC Program Director.

Sept 2022

BWC Staff and Board Receive Coaching from Kenya Community Development Foundation

 

BWC Board Chair Jayne Mwangi (left),  BWC administrative Assistant Ruth Kitute, and Board Member Carrie Mbatia receive a coaching session on stakeholder development from KCDF coach Mr. Mbarua.

August 2022

 

Entreprenurship and Leadership Mentoring in Laikipia

 

Baraka Women's Center staff traveled to Laikipia to join with Massai women for an Entreprenur and Leadership mentoring day.

Over 100 women participated.

BWC requests donations for hair dressing and beauty equipment as well as sewing machines.

 

 

August 2022 

 

Pre-Election Stocking Up

 

Staff distributed food to BWC members who live in Kibra, Mathare North, and Laikipia

 

Staples included maize flour,  rice, and cooking oil.

 

BWC ladies appreciates Susan Lent for the extra funds.

July 2022

 

Baraka Branch In Laikipia

 

Baraka Women's Center has opened a satellite Center in Rumuruti, Laikipia County.

 

This is a milestone for Maasai women living in this remote area. They now have a place to call their own.

July 222   

 

Kwale Graduation in RPL

 

Recognition of Prior Learning  (RPL) made history by having the first graduation in Kwale. The graduation was for artisans and dressmakers. Baraka's niche is dressmaking.

 

The graduation was at Base Tatanium Empowerment and Training Center.

 

Baraka is greatful for this success.

 

 

March 2022                 

New  Shop         

 

Baraka opened a new shop  situated at Thika Kahigaini stage.

 

The shop enables dressmaking trainees to design and produce unique clothing for fashion-conscious Kenyan women and girls. Other products include stylish handbags, jewelry, hats, baskets and extraordinary furniture.

 

                           Deliveries available. 

                      Contact 254-0721-381008

March 2022

 

Baraka Center's 

Rehabilitation Home

Opens  

 

 

 

 

 

We have opened a rehabilitation center for people struggling with alcoholism and substance abuse. Services include:

  • Detoxification
  • Addiction Counseling
  • Psychosocial Support
  • Family Therapy
  • Alcoholic Anonymous/ Narcotic. Anonymous meetings
  • Vocational training as part of recovery program

March 2022   

 

Member Gives Back

 

Florence Gikonyo, a beneficiary of Baraka Center,  instructs Beauty Therapy trainiees in the fine points of massage.

 

Florence is one of BWC's success stories.

 

 

 

 

November 2021 

 

US Embassy Awards Baraka

 

The Embassy of the United States of America through the Ambassador's Special Self-Help Fund awards Baraka Women's Center.

 

Dr. Teresia Njora (center) received the awared on behalf of the Center.

 

Asante sana Ambassador Kneedler!

 

 

November 2021

 

Women in Trade Stakeholder Training 

 

BWC management and its members in business attended (WIT), women in trade stakeholder training invited by  KNCCI and Trademark organisation.

 

The learning is to help the members  in digital marketing in selling of products. 

 

October 2021

 

Youth Day At Baraka

 

We care about the youth at Baraka Women's Center.

 

We were honored to offer them the National Federation of Jua Kali Associations Entrepreneurship Training spnsored by GIZ.

 

 

 

Mt. Kenya Women Empowerment Program Awards BWC

 

Baraka Women’s Center/ Baraka Therapeutic Home celebrated by Mt Kenya women empowerment forum for transforming many lives through mentor ship, vocational training, addiction counseling, and family restoration.

 

September 2021 

 

ILO Project Assessment

 

International Labor Organisation and Young African staff, visited BWC to assess its programs for recognition of prior learning. 

 

This follows a NITA assessment of four trainees girls through an exam.

August 2021 

 

Making and Packaging Masks

 

Baraka Women Center received a government tender to produce masks for school children

August 2021

 

Vocational Skills

 

Every woman's dream is to see her child succeed in life. At Baraks Center, we have studied through the years and seen the strugles of our own women. That is why our rehabilitaion center was birthed. As boys recover from alcoholism, we will teach them vocational skills. As you can see in one of this pictures, boys will be able to cook healthy and regain their health.

July 2021 

 

African Attire

 

It has been another busy month. The lead  tailor is explaining to the trainees on how to measure and cut African women's attire. 

 

July 2021

 

Fashion

 

Students of Baraka display one of their designs.

 

Stay Tuned for the MFA Store

Featurning unique clothing and jewlery hand-made by the members of BWC

 

June 2021 

 

PPEs

 

Students discuss on how they can start preparing personal protective equipment (PPE). The students are solving  a great problem that the society is facing today.

 

May 2021

 

 

Juhudi Kilimo Micro Finance officers visited BWC business women to train them on types of loans they can take for their business.

 

 

May 2021

 

 

Mentorship session session in progress. The main topic was self awareness and self respect and how to rebrand their business.

September 2020

 

Baraka Centers members attend a training provided by KNCCI and Mastercard Foundation through the COVID-19 Recovery and Resilience Program for Entrepreneurs

 

 

August 2020

 

Center members sort through clothing and shoes donated by a generous supporter. 

 

May 2020

 

Since early April, Baraka Women have been making face masks for COVID-19 prevention in the Ngara and Mathare communities.

 

The Ministry of Health placed an order with BWC to produce 4000 masks.

 

The project supports over a dozen women at a critical time.

February 20, 2020   

Completion of the Women's Health Education Program

 

Workshops provided by six subject experts to over 190 participants: 

FGM Awareness, GBV Awareness, Substance Abuse Recovery, Reproductive Health

Special Session: Training of Trainers.

11 Feb 2020

 

Representatives of Baraka Women's Center attend 34th Surajkund International Crafts Exhibition in India, promoting the unique products of Baraka Mtindo Bora, their fashion accessories business.

 

10 Aug 2019

 

Meeting Mama Sarah Obama

 

From left: Peter Ndier, Founder of SOWO; Teresia Mwangi, Manager, Baraka Women's Center; Susan Burgess-Lent, WCI Executive Director; Mama Sarah Obama, grandmother of Baraka; Paster Cyrus Njora, Trainer at Baraka Women's Center.  

 

April 23-24 2019

50 BWC Members to attend  workshop on intellectual property, productivity and competitiveness.

Sponsored by KNFJKA and Kenya Industrial Property Institute.

 

26 March 2019

 

 

Her Excellency Mrs Margaret Kenyatta addressess a crowd including members of Baraka Women's Center at a gala celebration of International Women's Day.

January 2019

 

Guests from the U.S. joined in providing substance abuse and recovery awareness sessions.

 

They also purchased jewerly made by members of  Baraka Women's Center

 

See additional photos of their activities with BWC staff and members below

January 2019

 

 

The innovative EDGE protocol, introduced by WCI Board Member Grant Williams, is used to work with a heroin recovery group.

December 2018

 

Eldoret International Exhibition  2 - 9 December

 

Baraka Women's Center exhibited its unique fashion accessories crafted by the Center's members.

 

Proceeds support the development of women's businesses.

 

 

November 2018

 

BWC's beaders are preparing their unique jewelry and household accessories for the EAC annual Jua Kali Exhibition in Eldoret 2nd-10th December. 

 

Find them at the Eldoret Sports Club 

Uasin Gishu County

Free Entry!

October 2018

 

At the International Trade Fair, His Excellency Uhuru Kenyatta, President of the Republic of Kenya, listens to Ms Teresia Waikuru (center), Manager of Baraka Women's Center describe how the Center empowers women. He also  admired the products made by the women the Center. Looking on are the members and the exhibitors of BWC.

 

 

His Excellency Nairobi County Governor Mike Sonko admires the beautiful baskets made by Baraka Women's Center using waste paper.

 

The Nairobi County Government sponsored BWC's five stalls at the Exhibition.

 

7 September 2018

 

 

BWC Manager Teresia W Mwangi receives a Crown Women's Rising Award for Entrepreneurship.

 

 

 

 

Below are more photos from the gala.

6 september 2018   Gaduation Day

 

A gathering of 95 women to celebrate the achievements of BWC trainees.

 

  • The Beadwork Group certifies 30 women;

 

  • Hair and Beauty Vocational Skills Training graduates 20 young women (after a 5-month course)

 

  • SGBV Awareness Program graduates 40 women

 

  • Computer Training  graduates10 members

 

In the photogallery below, graduation certificates are presented by Dr. Hadassah Emily Soroko, Founder of Crown Women Rising (right) and Teresia Waikuru Mwangi, Manager, Baraka Women's Center

 

30 August 2018

 

Baraka Women's Center has moved to a new larger home.

 

Ngara 

Ram Building (Union of Churches)

First Floor 

 

Opposite Total petrol station

August 2018

 

Teresia Waikuru, BWC's Manager, has been nominated for the Crown Women Rising Award.  The gala event will be held Sept 7th at the Safari Park Hotel in Nairobi.

 

Kenya Federation of Jua Kali has selected Ms. Waikuru to speak on behalf of the informal sector at MSEA meeting.

 

 

 

5 June 2018

 

Embu Deputy Governor receives jewelry designed and crafted by BWC members.

 

 

12 February 2018

 

Center Manger Teresia Mwangi reviews plans for an agricultural project in Kwale Country with Charles Kalomba and Linet Wairimu

 

 

8 March  2017

 

Baraka Center members display their handmade products at an International Women's Day event in Nairobi.  First Lady Margaret Kenyatta spoke with them about their work.

 

November 2016

 

106 Baraka Women's Center member participate in a march in Nairobi to end sexual violence against women.

 

 

November 2016

 

Women and men particpated in a half-day training on the health effects of alcohol and tobacco. 

 

 

October 2016

 

Baraka craftswomen show their products to Kenya President Kenyatta at the MSEA exhibition

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