Beryl Anyango - Future Poa Youth./PHOTO Courtesy ; Mirror of Hope
When Beryl Anyango walked into the Future Poa Project in Kibera, she carried little more than hope. She had no tailoring skills and no clear plan, only a desire to escape the economic uncertainty that defined her days.
For six months, she showed up for training under Mirror of Hope’s Fashion and Design programme.
The sessions were demanding, but she stayed committed, believing they could offer a different path.
“The training strengthened my confidence, improved my abilities and opened doors I once thought were out of reach,” Anyango said.
Today, she is a graduate of the 2025 cohort. She has secured work using the skills she gained and is steadily working towards opening her own fashion studio.
Her goal is simple but powerful: to support herself and inspire others in her community.
“Now I am working, supporting myself and building a future I’m truly proud of,” she said.
Her story mirrors the daily reality of many young people growing up in Kibera and other informal settlements across Kenya.
In many homes, a single income earner supports families that can exceed ten members.
The pressure to put food on the table leaves little room for education. Some young people drop out of secondary school. Others never make it to tertiary institutions.
With few options beyond formal education, early marriage becomes a coping mechanism, especially for young women who struggle to see alternatives.
Living conditions that fall far below personal dreams take a toll on mental well-being, leaving many young people discouraged and unsure of what comes next.
A skills-based response from within the community
It is this gap that Mirror of Hope, a community-based organisation working in Kibera, set out to address through the Future Poa Project.
The initiative focuses on practical solutions. It equips young people with hands-on skills, mentorship and psychosocial support to improve self-reliance while strengthening mental well-being.
Participants are trained in ICT, graphic design, and tailoring.
They also receive business and life skills training to help them navigate real-world challenges.
Mental health support is built into the programme through group therapy sessions and counselling, acknowledging the emotional strain many face every day.
The project collaborates with partners such as Art 360 and NairobiBits to provide mentorship, benchmarking opportunities, and apprenticeship placements.
Anthony Oduor, a Future Poa Project Officer, said the programme was designed around the realities of life in Kibera.
“These interventions address challenges such as poverty, lack of basic amenities and gender-based violence by fostering confidence, resilience, and empowerment,” Oduor said.
What the project has achieved so far
Since its launch in mid-2024, the Future Poa Project has trained 118 young people in tailoring, ICT and business skills.
According to Mirror of Hope, 25 per cent of the graduates have already secured meaningful employment. Others are pursuing entrepreneurship or taking up leadership roles within their communities.
Eight youth-led businesses have received funding, allowing participants to turn newly acquired skills into income.
In December, the organisation marked a major milestone by graduating young people trained in ICT and graphic design, alongside resilient young mothers who completed fashion and design training.
In the fashion and design course, 19 young mothers completed the six-month programme.
Another 37 youths graduated from the four-month ICT and graphic design course with skills ready for the job market.
Beyond technical skills, the programme has helped participants build confidence and make better decisions.
A growing network of youth champions now mentors peers and advocates for education and positive change.
Their stories are shared across the organisation’s social media platforms to amplify youth voices and encourage community engagement.
Mirror of Hope has announced that a new intake for the Future Poa Project is open until January 11, 2026.
Applicants must be Kibera residents aged between 18 and 35 for the ICT course and be willing to commit to the full four- to six-month training period, depending on the course.
Acknowledging limits and calling for scale
Tommy Nyawir, the founder of Mirror of Hope, said the organisation is focused on long-term impact rather than quick results.
“Through the Future Poa Project, countless youth, women, and men have gained skills, confidence and opportunities to transform their lives,” Nyawir said.
“Our strategic plan for 2025 to 2028 guides us in expanding programmes, strengthening communities and ensuring sustainable, measurable impact.”
Founded 15 years ago, Mirror of Hope works with vulnerable women, youth and children in Kibera to improve access to education, healthcare, food, shelter and economic opportunities.
The Future Poa Project is supported by partners including Computers for Schools Kenya, Next Step Foundation, Heartfulness Kenya, Mental 360 Kenya, I Am Worth, and the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program and the Edmund Rice Foundation Australia.
Nyawir expressed gratitude to partners, donors and volunteers for making the initiative possible.
“Together with our partners, supporters, and the community we serve, 2025 was not just a year of activities but a year of transformation, laying a stronger foundation for sustainable impact in the years ahead,” he said.
He acknowledged that demand for the programme far exceeds available resources, limiting the number of young people the organisation can support and keeping the project largely within Kibera.
“Demand is much higher than what we are currently able to accommodate,” Nyawir said.
“With more resources, we would reach many more young people and extend this model to other informal settlements across Kenya, where similar challenges exist.”
He called on well-wishers to support the initiative, noting that broader collaboration would allow the programme to scale its impact and reach more vulnerable youth.
