The Bridge: How Malkia Became the Pillar Her Family Needed

Tewa
7 hours ago
2 min read

There is a specific kind of quiet that falls over a home when a child finishes school but the path forward remains blocked. For Malkia, that silence was the sound of five younger siblings watching her to see what happens next. In a household sustained by peasant farming, her success was never going to be a solo victory—it was a blueprint for everyone coming up behind her.

The 20-Kilometer Commitment

In 2010, Malkia stepped into Tewa Training Centre to find a lever strong enough to move her world. She carried the weight of being a big sister into every classroom. When she landed her first job as a waitress at a café in Mtwapa: a 20-kilometer journey from home, she arrived with a mindset that was far larger than her job description.

She treated the small local café with the gravity of a five-star resort. She mastered the floor, anticipated the guests' needs, and brought a professional dignity that changed the energy of the room. She was working with the intensity of someone who knew exactly what was at stake.

The 90-Day Shift

While others saw a starter position, Malkia saw a training ground. In just three months, the owner realized the heart of the business was no longer in the office, but on the floor with Malkia.

She was promoted to Supervisor.

The Tewa Mission: Building the Pillars

Malkia’s story is exactly why Tewa exists. We recognize that in the Coast region,

a woman’s education is rarely just for her; it is a strategic investment in an entire community.

Our work at Tewa goes beyond teaching the mechanics of hospitality. We specialize in polishing the technical intuition that allows a graduate to walk into a small café and operate with the authority of a supervisor. We provide the high-standard environment where young women can transform their natural resilience into a market-ready skill set.

When Malkia pays for her sister’s books or her brother’s uniform, she is fulfilling the ultimate goal of our curriculum: Economic Agency. Tewa provides the spark, but it is the fire in women like Malkia that lights the way for the next generation.

The Reward of the Roadmap

Today, Malkia has become the one who took the risk of going first so the ones behind her wouldn’t have to wonder if they could make it.

At Tewa, we provide the technical skills. But Malkia provided the heart that turns a paycheck into a legacy.

Behind every successful professional is a school that believed in them and a family that relied on them. Are you the first in your family to open a new door?

Tell us your story below or leave a 🕊️ to honor the siblings you are working for.

New to Tewa?

Based in Kilifi, Tewa Training Centre is a hospitality training centre dedicated to empowering women through professional excellence. Whether it’s Food Production, Housekeeping, or Food Service, we train our students to be the leaders the industry.

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