As the sun rises and the cold wind rustles the trees by the River Tebesi in Kuria East Subcounty, Kengonga, we meet a young woman named Boke reflecting on her journey since enrolling in the DREAMS program. She shares her story with us:

“My name is Boke. I am 21 years old and I joined the DREAMS project last year. Before DREAMS, I used to wake up very early in the morning and go to River Tebesi to harvest sand to meet my personal needs. This job was mainly done by men, so I often worked alongside them, and they would help lift the heavy sacks.

However, their assistance came at a price. The men offered me money and small gifts to gain my trust and gradually, I fell for their tricks. I soon realized that I did not want to continue with this work. Instead, I began engaging in transactional sex to earn money and favors. I involved myself in risky sexual activities with different men, never considering the impact on my health.

This became my norm, and eventually, I contracted an STI (Sexually Transmitted Infection). The pain was intense, but I ignored it and did not seek treatment. I hid my condition from my family and continued to suffer in silence, feeling I had no other choice but to rely on men to meet my needs.

I remember one day when two of my male sexual partners got into a fight over me, to the point where they almost killed each other. One of them even threatened my life, and
at that moment, my conscience told me it was time to change; otherwise, my life and health were in serious danger.

I thank God for sending my current mentor, who told me about the DREAMS program and asked if I would be interested in joining. Without hesitation, I said yes, and she enrolled me in the program. She also asked me what my wish was, and I expressed my desire to run my own business and put an end to the risky sexual behaviors I had been engaging in to earn a living.

I started attending the DREAMS sessions and was also initiated on PrEP. When the business application call was
announced, my mentor encouraged me to apply for startup support. I was granted 5,000 Kenya shillings and later
received an additional 7,000 Kenya shillings. With this
money, I opened a grocery kiosk.

Today, I am making a daily profit of 600 shillings, which I use to meet my needs. I have also joined a VSLA (Village Savings and Loan Association) group with fellow AGYW (Adolescent Girls and Young Women).

I am very grateful to the program for changing
and saving my life and health.”

“Asante USAID Nuru ya Mtoto kwa kubadilisha maisha yangu. Ikiwa sio mradi huu, pengine ningekuwa nimeambukizwa virusi vya UKIMWI au pengine kufa. Mungu awabariki na awatende makuu.”