Reintegration of Former Convicts in Kenya and Liberia

Reintegration into society is an uphill battle for former convicts and former child-soldiers, as many face rejection and a lack of opportunities.

This effort aims to enable participants to gain financial independence and a stable place in their communities. HR&S in partnership with Action10 collaborates with African local initiatives to empower small-scale social entrepreneurs facing financial challenges.

In Kenya, Help Me Home Kenya, led by Ms. Margaret Wambui, is one such initiative. It focuses on reintegrating former convicts, particularly women, back into society. Over the past three years, the organization has provided vital support, including mental health services, counseling, and vocational training in tailoring, hairdressing, and home care. However, resource constraints limit its potential to expand and impact more lives. Ms. Wambui exemplifies the power of vision and its far-reaching impact. Her work not only transforms lives but also demonstrates how targeted interventions can address systemic challenges. By empowering women, who often face limited employment opportunities, Ms. Wambui’s initiative provides a pathway to financial and social independence as well as personal growth.

Our programme also addresses the challenges of Liberian society by supporting self-employment and small-scale businesses that can create employment opportunities, while simultaneously working on the reintegration of communities still carrying trauma from the war. Through targeted interventions, we provide vocational training, business mentorship, and psychological support to help former child-soldiers develop sustainable livelihoods and heal from past experiences. This holistic approach recognizes that economic empowerment must be accompanied by social and emotional rehabilitation to achieve lasting positive change in these communities.

The potential of business loans

Access to a business loan would bring significant benefits to Help Me Home Kenya through*:*
Scale production:

• Scale production: Increased resources would lead to higher output and impact more individuals financially.
• Expand Training: Equip more individuals with life-changing skills.
• Enhance financial stability: Strengthen the organization’s ability to support the participants in the long term.
• Last but certainly not least, it would ensure that the participants receive the mental support they need.

Challenges

Limited resources and equipment hinder the ability to train more people, scale production, and generate more income for participants. With financial support, the organization can overcome these barriers while ensuring a broader and more sustainable impact.