On 27th
August 2024, KEPSA
Foundation team visited Buildher, a non-profit social enterprise that equips
low-income women facing economic and employment barriers with construction
training and skilled job opportunities in specialized trades. The visit, held
at Buildher’s training workshops in Spectrum Business Park, Nairobi, aimed to
explore potential partnership areas to advance women’s economic empowerment.
BuildHer team was led by Founder and CEO Ms. Tatu Gatere, along with Operations
Lead Ms. Hellen Mong’are, Corporate Partnerships & Workforce Development
Lead Ms. Joyce Muthoni, and Alumnae Lead Ms. Veronicah Kigwa. KEPSA Foundation
was represented by management team members Ms. Caroline Kawira and Ms. Susan
Ng’ang’a.
Ms. Kawira provided an overview of
KEPSA Foundation and its mandate to offer a private sector platform for
socio-economic transformation by strengthening the business environment and
enhancing global competitiveness. This mission is underpinned by key principles
of responsible investments and the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG)
framework. She highlighted that the Foundation operates within four priority
areas, with a particular focus on enhancing entrepreneurship and job creation
for vulnerable communities whose strategic approach includes implementing
programs that foster inclusive entrepreneurship, support startups, and create
job opportunities, especially for women, youth, and persons with disabilities,
to drive economic growth.
Ms. Tatu Gatere highlighted that
Buildher focuses on empowering low-income women by providing access to
long-term jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities in construction finishing and
furniture manufacturing trades aiming to help these women achieve economic
mobility and advance their careers. Buildher’s 12-month technical training
curriculum blends both theoretical and practical skills, producing
craftsmanship that meets client and industry standards. To date, the
organization has trained over 600 women in carpentry and joinery, painting and
decorating, and tiling, all of whom have been accredited by the National
Industrial Training Authority (NITA). Impressively, 80% of these women have
secured job placements and are actively building their career paths, benefiting
both their families and their livelihoods.
Furthermore, the organization operates
a sustainable furniture business that sells functional furniture crafted by
women trained in the program. Additionally, Buildher has introduced the
Buildher Fundi Desk, a business contact centre that connects Kenya with competent,
qualified, reliable, and professional women construction fundis.
KEPSA Foundation and Buildher have
established a partnership that will be strengthened to create a greater impact
on vulnerable women in low-income urban settlements.
