Fashion Challenge 2023: Meet the Mentees
This year, we're celebrating RefuSHE's 15th anniversary by bringing the Fashion Challenge to the site of our impact: Kenya. Nairobi-based designers will volunteer their time and talent to create original runway-ready looks using fabric hand-dyed by RefuSHE’s Artisan Collective. Each designer will be paired with two young refugee women in RefuSHE’s program: (1) a mentee interested in learning more about fashion design and tailoring and (2) a model who will walk the runway in their one-of-a-kind garment. These partnerships will culminate in a live fashion show event inspired by the resilient stories of refugee girls.
Meet the RefuSHE mentees participating in Fashion Challenge 2023: Celebrating 15 Years on October 7, 2023!
BENIGNE
AGE: 22
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
DESIGNER: Alex Muchena
In 2018, Benigne Nyabaruta was forced to flee to a refugee camp in Burundi when violent wars erupted in her hometown in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Through sheer luck, Benigne connected with her older sister on Facebook one day after several years apart. They exchanged messages and pictures and experienced a joyful online reunion. Benigne’s sister had arrived in Kenya a few years earlier and was a beneficiary of RefuSHE at the time. She motivated Benigne to leave the camp and travel to Kenya to reconnect with her and find better opportunities. Her sister’s journey to Kenya had been traumatic and she provided Benigne with helpful guidance to allow her a safer transit. Benigne decided to go to Nairobi in the company of other refugees.
In 2019, Benigne was able to join RefuSHE’s Girls Empowerment Program (GEP) to continue her education. Her approach to her studies shows her to be diligent, focused, and organized. As a result, she has always been a top performer among her cohort since joining the program. Benigne is also very creative, with budding skills in art and drawing. She enjoys making DIY crafts, inspired by the various creations that she sees in social media groups.
Benigne is a member of RefuSHE’s Artisan Collective and is grateful for the skills she has gained in stitching and tie-and-dye. She is interested in learning more about upholstery techniques and DIY. She enjoys watching home décor content online and is looking forward to turning her passion into a sustainable source of income in the future.
ALINE B.
AGE: 23
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
DESIGNER: Peggy Onyango
Aline Bazizane is a thoughtful, intelligent young woman from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). She fled her home country in late 2016 due to war. She grew up in a large family comprised of eight children. Her parents were subsistence farmers who made a modest living. In Congo, Aline attended school until Grade 5, when violence forced her family to flee and tore them apart.
Since joining RefuSHE’s Girls Empowerment Program (GEP) in 2019, Aline has excelled in her studies and exams. Aline performed well in the national examinations (KCPE) and attained the second-highest marks among all the candidates. After this accomplishment, she joined the GEP’s Grade II tailoring class to learn advanced dressmaking skills where she proved to be a dedicated learner and a skilled seamstress. After a few months of learning how to draft patterns, sew various clothes, and operate sewing machines, Aline sat for her Grade II tailoring certification exams through the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA). She emerged top of her class when the results came out.
Aline takes her academic victories in stride and considers herself fortunate to learn all that she can at the GEP. Currently, Aline is a member of RefuSHE’s Artisan Collective, which was a natural next opportunity to advance her interest in tailoring and grow her skills. Aline looks forward to starting a thriving tailoring business in the future.
ZAHABU
AGE: 23
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
DESIGNER: Diana Mwelesa
Zahabu Aline was only 15 years old when she fled her home country of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) due to war. She arrived alone in Kenya in 2015 after trekking for many miles and hitching rides from well-wishers across the Kenya-Uganda border.
In 2017, Zahabu was referred to RefuSHE where she joined the Girls Empowerment Program (GEP) and enrolled in basic education and vocational training courses. She successfully progressed through the grades, earning her certificates of completion in primary education and basic tailoring.
Before joining RefuSHE, Zahabu felt hopeless and lost. After joining RefuSHE, Zahabu grew to have a better understanding of herself. As her sewing skills improved, she decided to launch her own small business. With every sale that she made, Zahabu invested her earnings into her business to buy more fabric and create more products to sell online. Her industry and passion made her stand out among the other students and Zahabu was soon awarded a seed grant from 4G Capital to invest in her growing fashion enterprise.
In 2022, Zahabu officially became a member of RefuSHE’s Artisan Collective. She is grateful for the opportunity to nurture her skills and appreciates the creative process involved in making hand-dyed scarves and textiles. The monthly stipend that she earns helps her meet her basic needs and support her family. The budding entrepreneur is hopeful about her future and dreams of opening a physical shop in Nairobi where she can operate her business, attract regular customers, and help establish her brand.
CHANTAL NA.
AGE: 23
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
DESIGNER: John Kaveke
Chantal Nafuraha, a quiet and introspective young woman, fled her home country in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in 2015 due to violence. Within the same year, she joined RefuSHE and enrolled in the Girls Empowerment Program (GEP) for basic education and vocational training. Her favorite subject at the GEP was Kiswahili because she found it easy to grasp and was the gateway to connect with her new environment.
In 2017, she joined RefuSHE’s Artisan Collective, where she thrived and unlocked her creativity through designing and producing hand-dyed fabric. In the Artisan Collective, Chantal’s skills grew, and her creative confidence soared. Here, she nurtured her talents, explored new techniques, and pushed the boundaries of her creativity. Her fellow artisans not only became mentors and friends, but also family.
In her spare time, Chantal runs her own venture selling Kitenge fabric – a symbol of her heritage. She enjoys listening to Congolese music which gives her a sense of comfort and nostalgia. Being at RefuSHE was a transformative experience for Chantal. She honed her skills and passion for artistry, learned invaluable lessons, and is set on her journey toward independence. In the future, Chantal hopes to run a thriving business in the fashion space or run her own eatery.
SOLANGE
AGE: 24
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
DESIGNER: Akisa Kauer
Solange Nyirakundwa fled her home country of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) due to war. Her parents were killed during a shooting that happened at their home one night. Solange fled with her siblings and made it to Uganda but was still not safe in this new country. Solange was assaulted while staying in a shelter and gave birth to her daughter, Shekinah. With time, a friend she had made in Uganda helped her travel to Kenya where she sought help from a church. She was later referred to RefuSHE by the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) in 2016.
Solange is a skilled artisan in the Artisan Collective and enjoys the creative work involved. She works hard to ensure that she provides for all her needs and those of her daughter. Solange's experiences at RefuSHE and the Artisan Collective have proven to be transformative for her. She has found healing and discovered the joy of honing her creative skills and creating beautiful pieces. She has not only found happiness and a sense of community, but has also explored new opportunities that she had never previously imagined for herself before arriving to RefuSHE. Her hope for her daughter is that she will be able to accomplish all of her dreams and have a bright future.
BEATRICE
AGE: 21
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
DESIGNER: Sylvia Yegon
In 2016, due to violence and war, Beatrice Nyangabire and her three siblings were forced to flee their home country of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). She joined RefuSHE’s Girls Empowerment Program (GEP) in 2017 and enrolled in basic education and vocational training courses where she successfully progressed through the grades. In 2021, Beatrice became a member of RefuSHE’s Artisan Collective where she nurtured her creativity and artistic craftsmanship. She enjoys building her skills in tie-and-dye, stitching, and creating beautiful and unique products.
Inspired by her creative journey, Beatrice established her own curtain-making business, operating on orders during weekends. At RefuSHE, Beatrice developed an interest in learning new things and expressing her creativity freely. The experience broadened her horizons, allowing her to see a world of possibilities beyond the challenges she had faced in her past.
In her own way, Beatrice considers herself a fashionista. She loves staying on trend and keeping up with the latest fashion styles. This fuels her desire to create her own unique outfits. Her dream is to not only grow her curtain business but also become an established designer in the industry.
ANNETTE
AGE: 23
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Kenya
DESIGNER: Monica Kanari
Annette Akinyi was born in Kenya and grew up in Kibera, the largest slum in Africa. She has four younger siblings and a young son in kindergarten. Although life in Kibera was challenging, Annette's determination and positive outlook allowed her to embrace her experiences in the community, learn how to be independent, and navigate challenges with courage.
In 2017, RefuSHE’s Girls Empowerment Program (GEP) opened up its program to beneficiaries from Nairobi's host communities who miss opportunities to further their education because of poverty and other vulnerabilities. Through a referral, Annette successfully applied to join the program.
Annette joined Level 4 in the Girls Empowerment Program (GEP) in 2018 and was one of the pioneers of GEP’s secondary school pilot program. After completing her secondary school education, she joined the Artisan Collective in 2022. There, she found a space to explore her creativity and entrepreneurial spirit. The supportive environment at the Artisan Collective allowed Annette to hone her skills in tie-and-dye and build confidence to express herself and make lasting friendships. The peer mentorships and business training offered in the Artisan Collective helped her build a growing business selling bags made from jeans and Kitenge fabrics.
Annette’s time at RefuSHE has helped her grow into a confident and expressive young woman, eager to continue learning and exploring her artistic talents. She has learned the value of connecting with others and this has translated into her friendly and helpful nature. Her passion for cooking adds another dimension to her creativity, as she enjoys experimenting with flavors and sharing meals with those around her.
ALINE N.
AGE: 25
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
DESIGNER: Samir Maombi
Aline Nyabatone is originally from the vibrant city of Kinshasa, Congo where she lived with her parents and siblings. In 2014, due to political turmoil and violence, Aline was forced to flee her homeland and traveled alone to Kenya. In 2017, she was referred to RefuSHE by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
Aline enrolled in the Girls Empowerment Program (GEP) and eagerly immersed herself in every facet of the programming. Her favorite subject was biology, inspired by her love and fascination for the beauty of life. Beyond basic education, Aline discovered a profound passion for stitching and tailoring clothes in her vocational classes.
Aline is a member of RefuSHE’s Artisan Collective. She enjoys the process of hand-dyeing fabric and infusing it with vibrant colors and creative designs. At RefuSHE, Aline has found a warm sense of camaraderie among her peers, forging friendships and a sisterhood based on shared journeys towards independence and brighter futures after war and conflict.
Aline also runs a small business selling clothes, bags, and accessories made from Kitenge - a thick, shiny fabric, traditionally dyed in bright patterns and colors. She has a fondness for jumpsuits and loves using Kitenge to make her outfits. She considers her kitenge-made creations to be beautiful expressions of her creativity and hopes to own a successful tailoring business in the future.
CYNTHIA
AGE: 20
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
DESIGNER: Liz Njoroge
Cynthia Nyandatwa is a young woman from Turambo in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). She grew up with her parents and three siblings in a cheerful home but was forced to flee her homeland in 2018 when war broke out. Cynthia made her way to Kenya alone and joined RefuSHE’s Safe House in 2020 while pregnant. Her child, Meghan, was born with complications and experienced many challenges early in her life. This made Cynthia feel sad and overwhelmed but she was grateful for the medical support that RefuSHE gave her in taking care of her child.
Cynthia is currently enrolled in RefuSHE’s Girls Empowerment Program (GEP) for vocational training while Meghan is admitted at our onsite daycare. Meghan is thriving and Cynthia could not be prouder of how far they have come. She hopes to keep learning and growing her skills in tailoring and establish a successful business in the future to support her family.
CHANTAL NY.
AGE: 20
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
DESIGNER: William Kitheka
Chantal Nyamporana is a determined young woman who fled her home in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) due to war and persecution. In 2015, she made her way to Kenya alone and pregnant, seeking safety and a better life. In 2016, Chantal moved to RefuSHE’s Safe House and gave birth to her son, Evan, shortly after. Chantal was soon enrolled in the Girls Empowerment Program (GEP) and her son was admitted to RefuSHE’s onsite daycare.
In 2019, Chantal joined the Artisan Collective to learn new skills and find an avenue toward independence and self-sufficiency. The Artisan Collective provided her with the platform to explore her creativity, particularly in rolling and dyeing fabric, which she found immensely enjoyable and fulfilling. Outside the Artisan Collective, Chantal has started a small food business where she earns an income selling food on weekends in Kawangware.
Chantal's greatest dream for her son is to see him educated to the highest level and secure a good job, escaping the struggles she faced. She also dreams of growing her small food business into a thriving hotel business, providing not only for her family but also creating opportunities for others in her community.