Since I Joined Women In Transport, my life has really changed. the professional development trainings have shaped my interpersonal skills. I can relate well with customers and other employees. I am respected and i currently got a job as the first female PSV bus driver of an electric bus. I am so proud of myself and the transformations brought forth by the WIT program.
Importing business-Stamina Sundays uses her loan money to import fish from Uganda. She normally supplies the fish to different clients in Nairobi from 4a.m-7a.m after which she goes to work as a conductor with Kawele Sacco.. Stamina joined table banking in May 2021.She started saving and borrowing short term loans. By January 2022, she had saved over Kes 50000. by January 2022 she was eligible to access a long term loan of Kes 100000.
The public transport job was a healing space for Edith who was recovering from depression after being a domestic violence survivor. Edith mentioned that, by meeting new people everyday, she was able to kill the boredome, distract herself and find some peace and consolation . Previously she used to lock herself indoors and at somepoint she was suicidal. On good day Edith would make atleast Kes 800 from her conductors job . Being a single mum, this was enough to cater for most of her children’s basic needs
The conductor’s job granted her a voice at the household level. Her husband started involving her in decision making on division of income and investments planning. Previously she was there to be seen but not heard because she did not have any financail contributions towards family wealth building plans.
As of April 2022, Irene Vusha who was once thrown out of her house for defaulting on rent payment , was making over Kes 1500 per day. This was enough for her to pay her bills and to further support her children with school fees payment .
I’m glad that I have attended the WIT meetings because now my family and my coworkers are taking me more seriously. When I share what I’ve learned during these meetings on facebook, my family and friends are able to see that working in transport is not a job to be ashamed of and is important work. At work, my superiors are able to recognise that I have more to bring to the table than the usual academic papers. I know how to market myself using the skills that I’ve gained, especially first aid, and this has helped me get other jobs in transport that are even outside of the matatu sector.