On 27^th August 2024, KEPSA Foundation team visited Buildher, a non-profit social enterprise that equips low-income women facing economic and employment barriers with construction training and skilled job opportunities in specialized trades. The visit, held at Buildher's training workshops in Spectrum Business Park, Nairobi, aimed to explore potential partnership areas to advance women’s economic empowerment. BuildHer team was led by Founder and CEO Ms. Tatu Gatere, along with Operations Lead Ms. Hellen Mong’are, Corporate Partnerships & Workforce Development Lead Ms. Joyce Muthoni, and Alumnae Lead Ms. Veronicah Kigwa. KEPSA Foundation was represented by management team members Ms. Caroline Kawira and Ms. Susan Ng’ang’a.

Ms. Kawira provided an overview of KEPSA Foundation and its mandate to offer a private sector platform for socio-economic transformation by strengthening the business environment and enhancing global competitiveness. This mission is underpinned by key principles of responsible investments and the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) framework. She highlighted that the Foundation operates within four priority areas, with a particular focus on enhancing entrepreneurship and job creation for vulnerable communities whose strategic approach includes implementing programs that foster inclusive entrepreneurship, support startups, and create job opportunities, especially for women, youth, and persons with disabilities, to drive economic growth.

Ms. Tatu Gatere highlighted that Buildher focuses on empowering low-income women by providing access to long-term jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities in construction finishing and furniture manufacturing trades aiming to help these women achieve economic mobility and advance their careers. Buildher’s 12-month technical training curriculum blends both theoretical and practical skills, producing craftsmanship that meets client and industry standards. To date, the organization has trained over 600 women in carpentry and joinery, painting and decorating, and tiling, all of whom have been accredited by the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA). Impressively, 80% of these women have secured job placements and are actively building their career paths, benefiting both their families and their livelihoods.

Furthermore, the organization operates a sustainable furniture business that sells functional furniture crafted by women trained in the program. Additionally, Buildher has introduced the Buildher Fundi Desk, a business contact centre that connects Kenya with competent, qualified, reliable, and professional women construction fundis.

KEPSA Foundation and Buildher have established a partnership that will be strengthened to create a greater impact on vulnerable women in low-income urban settlements.