How Vocational Training for Young Women in Kenya Changed Phenserah’s Life

Tewa
Jul 18
3 min read

When Phenserah* left school at just 15, she thought her dreams had ended. Coming from a remote village in Taita Taveta, her family struggled to afford daily meals, let alone school fees.

Like many girls in her community, she was expected to stay home, help raise younger siblings, and contribute to the household income.

But deep down, Phenserah wanted more.

“I used to watch guests at the hotels in town and wonder how the people serving them learned to be so confident and professional,” she recalls. “I didn’t know there were schools that could teach someone like me.”

That was until she heard about Tewa Training Centre.

✨ A Turning Point

Tewa Training Centre, located in Kibaoni, Kilifi County, is a vocational training centre for young women in Kenya that offers short, practical courses in Food Production , Food Service, Housekeeping, and Dressmaking. It was created for young women like Phenserah, who are determined to build a better life.

With help from a sponsor connected through Kianda Foundation and Nurisha Trust, Phenserah enrolled at Tewa.

“I was nervous at first. I hadn’t been in a classroom for years,” she says. “But from the moment I walked in, the teachers made me feel like I belonged.”

🍳 Learning Skills, Rebuilding Confidence

At Tewa, Phenserah quickly discovered her talent in food production and service. She learned how to prepare meals, manage guest orders, maintain hygiene, and communicate with professionalism.

More than just technical skills, Tewa taught her self-worth.

“We had sessions on timekeeping, confidence, grooming, and values. I began to see myself as someone who could work in a hotel, or even run my own business one day.”

The hands-on approach at Tewa helped her gain real-world experience. Mock restaurant setups, kitchen practice, and internship placements gave her the courage to step out and dream bigger.

💼 A Path to Employment — and Independence

After completing her course, Phenserah landed a job as a waitress at a hotel in Watamu. It wasn’t just a paycheck — it was the start of a new chapter.

“I now support my younger brother’s school fees. I even send money home to help my mother with food.”

Phenserah’s success is not an isolated case. Tewa has trained hundreds of young women from Kilifi and neighboring counties, many of whom now work in hospitality, run small businesses, or teach others.

🌍 Why Tewa Matters

Tewa Training Centre fills a critical gap in coastal Kenya — where poverty, early school dropout, and teenage pregnancy often cut short girls’ futures.

By providing accessible, accredited skills training, Tewa empowers young women to:

Earn a living through dignified work
Start businesses that support entire families
Regain confidence and reimagine what’s possible
Break cycles of poverty and dependency

“Tewa gave me more than a skill,” Phenserah says. “It gave me my future back.”

🧭 Why Vocational Training for Young Women in Kenya Matters

Each student like Phenserah represents a ripple effect: when one girl is empowered, a family changes, a community benefits, and a generation shifts.

In a world where millions of youth are out of school and out of work, institutions like Tewa Training Centre prove that skills, mentorship, and opportunity are powerful tools for change.