Almost a decade ago, Immaculate Mwangi started making baskets as a means of escaping work in the sex industry. After a troubled childhood, Immaculate moved to Nairobi, where she was first introduced to the prostitution that so many women must endure to survive.  More fortunate than many women, Immaculate met a woman named Jane who needed help selling her goods in the Maasai market, and was thus able to narrowly avoid turning to professional sex work.  Today, Immaculate says that Jane’s faith, relationship with her husband and children, and belief in helping others gave her the confidence to do the same. When Jane’s deteriorating health prevented her from continuing to run her business, Immaculate took what she had learned and began making baskets, starting the business that would become Mother’s Concern.

Initially Immaculate worked alone, but as demand for her baskets increased she was able to take on more women who found themselves in a similar position as her, seeking to avoid work in the sex industry and simultaneously develop a professional skill set. Today over 100 women work in numerous different co-ops through Mother’s Concern making juice, food items, hats, and of course, baskets. Women who join Mother’s Concern receive training in handcraft skills, as well as mentoring on how to sell their products local markets, providing a viable alternative to selling their bodies as a means of income.  Members contribute weekly to a fund which is available for local community-based organizations to borrow and repay from in order to start their own businesses, furthering the cycle of self-empowerment and enabling others to become financially independent.

The women in Mother’s Concern care not only for their families, but for each other as well. Older women in the group will “adopt” younger women, teaching them basket making skills and offering extra emotional support. The group thus provides both life skills as well as invaluable business skills that help women in Nairobi to be economically independent and self-empowered.

Immaculate sees herself as a “leader” and not just a “boss.” She believes in a work environment where workers share knowledge and empower each other for common growth.  Mother’s Concern continues to further this goal through the invaluable work they do and support they provide to the community.