Angel: A journey to stability and resilience

When Angel joined the programme in 2021, her family faced significant health and economic challenges. Two of her children had high viral loads due to inconsistent adherence to HIV treatment, while financial hardship limited the family’s access to nutritious food, healthcare, and education. Two children had dropped out of school because school fees were unaffordable.

Through integrated support, including cash transfers, education assistance, healthcare services, psychosocial support, and economic empowerment interventions, Angel’s family experienced substantial improvements in wellbeing and stability. The children resumed their education, household nutrition improved, and adherence to treatment strengthened, leading to better health outcomes.

Angel also participated in the Income Generating Activities (IGA) Programme, completing all 14 entrepreneurship and financial literacy training sessions. With a KES 15,000 business grant, she expanded her sweets-selling business, increasing household income and strengthening financial security. Applying the savings skills gained through the programme, she saved KES 22,530 within six months, which enabled her to support her son’s enrolment in driving school and invest in additional training opportunities for her daughter.

Beyond economic gains, Angel became an active advocate against HIV-related stigma after receiving psychosocial support through a local support group. Her increased confidence and leadership now enable her to encourage others facing similar challenges within her community.

By 2025, Angel successfully graduated from the Family Support Programme. Outcome Star assessments conducted between 2021 and 2025 showed remarkable progress across child health, education, family stability, and parenting outcomes, reflecting her transition from vulnerability to resilience.

Angel’s story demonstrates how integrated health, education, psychosocial, and economic empowerment interventions can strengthen household resilience and create sustainable pathways to self-reliance for vulnerable families.