One Choice Changed Everything

When Sarah joined the Fanikisha program in Kamirithu in September 2022, her determination was clear — but so was her struggle. Evelyn, one of the trainers at the time, remembers noticing something unusual.

“After every class, Sarah would walk right up to the board just to copy notes,” Evelyn recalls. “When I asked about her eyesight, she told me she had recently been diagnosed with diabetes. Her sugar levels were dangerously high at 35, and poor vision was one of the consequences.”

Despite the challenges, Sarah pressed on. Evelyn encouraged her to manage the disease through diet, discipline, and regular monitoring. Slowly, progress came. Her sugar levels began to drop, and she could finally sit in the front row and follow her lessons more comfortably.

Then came a turning point that left Evelyn deeply moved.

“One day after class, Sarah brought a Blood Glucose Monitor she had just bought,” Evelyn shares. “She asked me to show her how to use it. When we tested, her glucose levels had dropped to 4.8. From 35 to 4.8 in just four months, — it was an incredible improvement.”

But what made this moment even more powerful was how Sarah managed to buy the machine.

After attending the Savings and Debts Management class in Fanikisha, Sarah realized she could take control of her finances. She had been going to the clinic three times a week for glucose tests, spending Ksh 900 weekly — about Ksh 3,600 ($27.85 USD) a month. Inspired by what she learned, she reduced her visits to once a week, carefully watching her diet and medication in between.

This small but consistent change allowed her to save Kshs 600 every week, or Kshs 2,400 ($18.60 USD) monthly. By January 2023, Sarah had saved Ksh 4,800 — enough to purchase the Blood Glucose Monitor kit for Ksh 4,500.

Now, Sarah monitors her sugar levels daily at home and saves Ksh 2,400 every month. The money she once spent on clinic tests now goes directly to her medication and consultations.

“Sarah’s story is one of courage, discipline, and empowerment. It shows that with the right skills and mindset, even the toughest challenges can be managed.” – Evelyn

Sarah’s journey is more than just about managing diabetes. It’s about resilience, resourcefulness, and the power of knowledge put into action. Through Fanikisha, she discovered that transformation often begins not with what we lack, but with how we use what we have.

At Kianda Foundation, we are proud to witness these moments of change — moments where women turn struggle into strength and possibility into reality. Sarah’s story is a reminder of why we do what we do: when one woman is empowered, her entire community rises with her.