OUR IMPACT
Every percentage point, every data point, every tank built and loan repaid—tells the story of women rising.
We don’t measure charity. We measure system shifts.
And our numbers prove it: when women have the tools, training, and capital, they don’t just change their lives. They build exponential power.
93%
OF WOMEN NOW OCCUPYING NEW OR ENHANCED LEADERSHIP ROLES
62%
DOUBLED INCOME
36%
TRIPLED INCOME
WE TRAINED
12,700+ WOMEN
THEN THEY TRAINED OVER
34,000+ WOMEN
IMPACT STORY
Linet Anyango Obony was born in Kisumu, Kenya, with dreams as big as the lake that borders her hometown. She began her education at Rapogi Primary School and proudly sat for her Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE). But at just 15, her path was cut short—her family couldn’t afford secondary school fees. With few options, she was married off at 16.
Life in marriage was unforgiving. She moved to the semi-arid plains of Rarieda in Siaya County, where every day meant survival. She became a mother while still a child herself, rising at 5 a.m. to fetch water and firewood before tending to her three young sons. Her husband survived on casual labor, and poverty weighed heavily on the family.
Her turning point came when she crossed paths with Community Mobilization for Positive Empowerment (COMPE), working in partnership with the Global Women’s Water Initiative (now She Builds Power). Through their training in water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), Linet began to glimpse a new future. She was later invited to a three-year training program in Uganda, where each year brought new technologies and new confidence.
Inspired by the women she met there, Linet made a bold decision: she would reclaim her lost dream of education. With her first small training allowance, she bought school supplies and re-enrolled, braving the ridicule of neighbors who mocked a grown woman returning to class. But she pressed on, excelling in her studies.
To pay her way, Linet sold vegetables from her kitchen garden, made and sold soap, and even secured small tenders at school. Against the odds, she enrolled in university. Eventually, a sponsor stepped in to support her tuition.
Today, Linet is thriving as a third-year university student with outstanding results. She is also a Youth Coordinator, a church leader, and a Community Health Volunteer—roles that allow her to inspire and uplift others.
Looking back, she credits She Builds Power for opening the door: “They connected me to a powerful network of women and trainers who pushed me to believe in myself and take bold steps.”
Linet’s story is proof that it is never too late to rise. With resilience, determination, and the right support, even lost dreams can be reclaimed—and turned into a future brighter than imagined.
In Kabulasoke Subcounty, Gomba District, Annet Nakamya—a mother of five—carried the weight of survival on her shoulders. Her husband offered little support, spending what little he earned on drink. Every day, Annet walked long distances for water, worrying about how to feed her children and searching for a way forward.
Her turning point came when she joined She Builds Power. There, she learned practical, life-changing skills: how to make soap and body ointments, how to grow mushrooms, and how to construct water tanks.
Annet didn’t stop at transforming her own life—she became a teacher and leader. She trained her neighbor, Mirembe, another struggling mother, to make soap and grow mushrooms. With her new skills, Mirembe saved enough to buy land and build a house that doubles as her business hub.
At home, Annet installed her own water tank. She no longer treks for miles to fetch water—now she sells it. Twenty jerrycans a day, at 7000 Uganda shillings–which equals about $40/day–turn what was once hardship into steady income. Add mushroom farming to the mix, and Annet has built stability for her family.
Her leadership hasn’t gone unnoticed. Recognized for her dedication to helping women rise, Annet was nominated to serve as a local councilor. She reflects: “Helping women rise has lifted us all. Without these skills, I wouldn’t be the leader I am today.”
From struggling mother to community mentor and elected leader, Annet’s journey shows how skills, opportunity, and courage can transform not just one life—but many.
BEYOND STATS: OUR POWER RIPPLE
Because every woman trained becomes a trainer. Every loan repaid gets re-lent. Every water system serves a village. Our impact multiplies—by design.
That’s exponential power.
And it’s only the beginning.