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Adelle’s story

Credit: WUSC

Originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Adelle moved to Kenya to escape conflict like many refugees in Kalobeyei Settlement. She faced many challenges like navigating culture shock, language barriers, a different climate and the stress of finding a job to financially support her family. Like many others affected by displacement, Adelle wanted to do more than make ends meet.

: Adelle uses a sewing machine at her workstation. In the background are various textiles in colourful patterns and designs.

Adelle opened a clothing and fashion shop named Peace House Enterprise in Kalobeyei integrated settlement in 2021.
Credit: WUSC

Amidst the hardships, Adelle came across a life and skills training course supported by the Learning Through Education and Access to Employment Pathways (LEAP) program. Determined to support her family, Adelle drew on her sewing experience and enrolled in the tailoring skills training program in hopes of finding a better job. During the training, Adelle showed interest in learning about business development and financial literacy after completing the tailoring course. She encouraged her husband, Jean-Marie, to learn tailoring. Once they had saved enough money to buy their first sewing machine, Adelle and Jean-Marie started their own business, which they named Peace House Enterprise.

Since March 2022, 357 young women like Adelle have received vocational skills training through the program. The LEAP project aims to empower adolescent girls and young women in Kalobeyei Settlement, Kakuma Refugee Camp and surrounding host communities in Kenya.

Strengthening women’s capabilities: Adelle’s success

Adelle holds up a yellow and blue piece of fabric. She is standing in front of a wall covered in various textiles with colourful patterns and designs.

“When we work together, we laugh, we talk, and for a little while, we forget the hardships we’ve been through,” Adelle reflects.
Credit: WUSC

Through the LEAP program, women are acquiring skills and building a sustainable livelihood. This includes tailored training and peer-to-peer mentoring opportunities, as well as coaching on business development, financial literacy and eliminating gender-based biases. 

Now a proud entrepreneur, Adelle is using her training and passion for fashion to set up her own clothing shop. Today, Peace House Enterprise employs 26 people and has trained 50 students in tailoring. Adelle and Jean-Marie’s business has become a staple in their community, providing essential services and opportunities for others. Adelle’s success reflects what LEAP’s livelihood intervention has achieved. Women and girls can be powerful agents of change and improve their own lives and those of their families, communities and countries.
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