Client Story: Ruth Akinyi

For many of our clients, the concept of hard work is not unfamiliar. Ruth Akinyi, a 42-year-old mother in Homabay, Kenya, has been working hard to earn her keep since she was a child. As the firstborn of three children, her family’s financial constraints led to Ruth forgoing her education after secondary school to sell groceries alongside her mother.

After learning of her HIV status in 2022, Ruth was met with rejection by her husband. He blamed her for his positive results, and her marriage quickly unraveled due to the strain the diagnoses put on their relationship. Through a dark time, Ruth continued to lean on her resilience and look for ways to provide for herself and her children.

The Untold staff in Homabay met Ruth during a routine clinic visit. Through their connections with the local hospital, they were able to recruit Ruth into the next 9 month program cycle. From her first day in the program, Ruth has proven that the trials she had been dealt were no match for her will. She took full advantage of the opportunities presented to her through the program, and she became a sponge for the various skills trainings that were offered. Ruth found a talent in making doormats, and was quickly able to earn income from the newfound skill. With money she saved from casual labor jobs, Ruth purchased the supplies she’d need to invest in her doormat making. She made enough profit from her first sale to re-invest in herself, acquiring a larger collection of supplies to continue her business.

The sales of her handmade doormats has offered Ruth financial freedom. This new business has provided a stable income for her family, providing the means for Ruth to pay her rent, cover her children’s school and medical fees, and supply all of their household necessities.

As her business continues to thrive, Ruth has now set her sights on opening a kiosk to sell her handmade doormats and other home decor items to continue to sustain herself. What once felt like a means to an end has become an opportunity for growth and self-expression for Ruth. Her self-sustainability paired with the counseling she received during the program has given Ruth the tools she needs to overcome the rejection she had felt in the past.