Clean Start Africa

Empowering Women, One Partnership at a Time!🫂 Clean Start Africa, under the leadership of our CEO, Teresa Njoroge had the privilege of engaging with Lintons Academy, led by Pastor Susan Kimani and General Manager Jessica Franscica Colaco, in meaningful discussions on how to collaborate in economically empowering formerly imprisoned women. Together, we aim to create opportunities in the beauty, hair, nail, and spa industries unlocking new pathways to sustainable livelihoods. This partnership is a testament to the phenomenal impact we can achieve through collaboration. Together, we envision turning possibilities into realities and empowering women and girls affected by the criminal justice system to create brighter futures for themselves and their families.💙 Here’s to more impactful collaborations that inspire change and build sustainable livelihoods!✨

Happy New Year from Clean Start Africa! ✨ Cheers to a year of hope, second chances, and brighter futures. Together, we’ll make 2025 unforgettable!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! 🎄 From all of us at Clean Start Africa, we wish you a season filled with love, joy, and kindness. As we celebrate, let us remember the power of community, compassion, and second chances.🫂💙

"A bad day for your ego is a very good day for your soul." - Teresa Njoroge, the founder of Clean Start Africa during our RICA Christmas Dinner. Reflecting on her time at a correctional facility, Teresa discovered a profound truth: discomfort is often a powerful teacher. When we are humbled by life’s challenges, we see that everything we have—our skills, opportunities, and privileges—is a gift meant for service to the world. This shift from "me" to "we" enables growth and a deeper connection to our purpose. As we prepare for 2025, we invite you to join us in embracing opportunities for transformation, service, and impact. 👉 Learn more about our upcoming events and programs at http://www.bltgroup.co.ke by Dr Patricia Murugami [Global Speaker and Leadership Growth Catalyst] #yournextbestself #leadershipdevelopment #RisersInnerCircleAfrica #RICA Florence Maina, Betty Ndunge Nzyimi

Our second leg of prison visits concluded at Eldoret Women’s Prison, marking a milestone of 21 Women prisons visited across Kenya🥳 Located in Uasin Gishu County, the prison houses 205 women and 14 children, this facility stands as a beacon of rehabilitation and empowerment. From paralegal services that ensure fair and accessible justice to skill-building initiatives like tailoring, farming, and detergent-making, the women here are gaining vital tools for reintegration. Partnerships with organizations like ELWOFOD further strengthen support, providing psycho-social aid, emergency relief, and economic skill development. During this visit, we witnessed a unique celebration, a combined tree-planting event with the SSP and a farewell party honoring a retired Madam, attended by inmates and stakeholders alike. We also had the privilege to address everyone present about Clean Start Africa and Sisters on the Outside (SOTO), sharing our mission and the transformative programs we aim to bring. We’re excited to return and begin impactful programs here!💙

Jane Kiio’s journey was marked by unimaginable challenges. One of her hardest moments was not having anyone to pay her cash bail, leaving her stuck in a place of uncertainty and pain. Meanwhile, her children were left alone without food, rent money, or support. Her son, desperate to help, turned to dangerous paths to try and free his mother, while her daughter, struggling to survive, sought help from family but was turned away. 💔 Through it all, what kept Jane going was her faith. She prayed every single day, believing that better days would come. 🙏 Clean Start became the lifeline Jane needed. It helped her heal, rediscover herself, and find the strength to rebuild her life.🫂 Today, freedom means everything to Jane. She can now work, earn money to support her family, and move through life without fear whether walking freely or simply answering her phone without anxiety. Her advice to women who feel alone is accept yourself and seek support. Clean Start is a family, a community of people who understand your journey and will walk with you every step of the way. 💙

Continuing our second leg of prison visits, we stopped at Meru Women’s Prison, where we found a facility built to house 150 women but currently holding 239 women and 35 children. Overcrowding remains a pressing issue, with many women incarcerated for assault-related offenses. We introduced Clean Start Africa and the Ufunuo Program to both the women and the Officer in Charge, Madam Lucy Kaaria, who recently joined from Isiolo Women’s Prison. Meru Women’s Prison is home to an impressive Chandaria workshop, featuring a bakery and textile section where women nearing the end of their sentences gain valuable skills. These initiatives allow them to save 50% of the revenue earned, preparing them for reintegration. The women showed great enthusiasm for expanding their skills and requested support for new programs, such as poultry farming and additional textile training. We also shared our vision and the three pillars of Sisters on the Outside: financial empowerment, sisterhood, and leadership. Meru Women’s Prison is full of potential, and we are inspired by the willingness of the women and staff to embrace transformation. We can’t wait to return and begin implementing our programs to support their reintegration journey.

Clean Start Africa’s Legal Department, led by our advocate Leila Kamweru , proudly participated in a transformative workshop at Lukenya Resort. Organized by FIDA Kenya, NCAJ, and the Center for Reproductive Rights, this collaboration aimed to harmonize two critical drafts into the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill 2024, addressing gaps and tackling emerging issues in the Sexual Offences Act. We were honored to represent our Board Director, Renee Ngamau , and ensure that the voices of Formerly Imprisoned Women (FIW) and Imprisoned Women (IW) were amplified. Their lived experiences are shaping reforms that truly matter. Here’s to partnerships that drive impactful change for a safer, more just society! ✨ #SexualOffencesBill2024 #WomenForJustice #CleanStartAfrica

We are beyond proud to announce that our Founder and CEO, Teresa Njoroge , has been honored with the Ginetta Sagan Award by Amnesty International USA at the Amnesty Kenya offices. This prestigious award, named after the legendary human rights advocate Ginetta Sagan, celebrates women who have demonstrated extraordinary courage and unwavering commitment to advancing human rights, particularly the rights of women and children. Teresa’s tireless efforts to empower formerly imprisoned women and advocate for justice have made a profound impact on communities globally. Our community and the women we serve were there to celebrate this momentous occasion because this work is for them, and we do it for them. It is for every woman, every girl, and every child who deserves a chance to thrive, to be heard, and to be seen🫂 This recognition is a testament to the strength and resilience of the women we stand with. We are deeply grateful to Amnesty International USA Irũngũ Houghton and Amnesty International Kenya for this honor, and for walking alongside us in the fight for justice, equality, and dignity for all. Together, we will continue to break barriers and create lasting change.✨ #ginettasaganaward #HumanRights #JusticeForAll #Empowerment #WomenForChange

Clean Start Africa is proud to be part of the transformative East Africa Philanthropy Network-EAPN conference, a gathering of 180 nonprofit CEOs from Kenya, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda. This platform is dedicated to rethinking philanthropy’s role in building sustainable, resilient communities across the region.✨ Our CEO, Teresa Njoroge , and our incoming Board Chair, Renee Ngamau , represented us at this remarkable forum. It’s always a privilege to have Renee in such spaces, offering her wisdom and for driving impactful discussions on reshaping philanthropy. The conference focused on challenging conventional approaches, exchanging actionable insights, and fostering collaborations that lead to impactful, community-driven solutions. We were delighted to connect with key changemakers, including our major Clean Start friend Dr. Kofi Osei-Kusi from Ghana, Roy of TINADA Youth Action Africa (TYAAfriq) , Uthabiti as well as other organizations shaping the future of philanthropy. At Clean Start, we believe in partnerships that empower and uplift, and this forum reaffirmed the power of collective action to create meaningful change.💙