Stanley | Kenya

Poverty blocked my path

Stanley is one of eight children who was raised by a single mother in the slums of Nairobi, Kenya. His family often struggled to find money for necessities like food and shelter. Growing up, Stanley endured the loss of a brother to poverty and gang violence, and extreme hunger.

And, despite performing very well in school, Stanley was unable to afford university.

“Where we grew up, life was so tough. We were seven, living in a single room. We were used to sleeping hungry, it was extreme. If you would have asked who is the poorest family in that area, you’d be brought to our house.”

I had a dream

Prior to joining Generation, Stanley worked odd jobs at a construction site and sold clothes to earn a meager income. It was difficult for him to find full-time employment because he lacked the necessary credentials. He still dreamed that one day he would work in an office for a great company but feared that it would be impossible without a university degree.

New skills, true support

Stanley attended Generation’s Kenya Distributed Sales program and benefited greatly from the hands-on training. He learned new skills, such as problem solving and communications, that helped him apply for the same jobs as university graduates. He also gained a support system through the mentors and other students. “Generation has created a family that is hard to break. Come rain or sunshine, in times of happiness and sadness, they are always there for you.”

My prayers answered

After graduating from Generation in 2015, Stanley received an offer from a financial company Old Mutual. “God was answering my prayers. After just 6 weeks I was in a good job as a sales associate. Generation was the platform for me to move from one step to the next. It was a real boost for me.” Stanley formed a great relationship with his manager, who he described as a brother and a mentor.

Investing in the future

Stanley’s job allowed him to not only make money but also save for the future. He could support his entire family and help pay his siblings’ school fees.

Where is Stanley now?

Stanley has successfully navigated his career since Generation, weathering the economic storm of the COVID crisis in Kenya, and ultimately deciding to start his own business in transportation and logistics, which he still successfully runs up to this day. Despite being in this new industry, he still credits Generation for his entrepreneurial abilities and customer service skills. 

Today, Stanley and his wife – who he met when they were both in the Generation program – have two children whose comfortable lives are in stark contrast to the hardships he endured as growing up. They have a TV, a laptop, and a car that he uses to drive them to school.

“At some point during my Generation experience, I decided that whatever was painted in my history should not determine my life today. There was a shift in my mind. What seemed to be impossible is now possible.”