# Kenya: Women must no longer ask for permission > Kenyan women learn self-reliance at Salama Center after years of hardship. - Title: Kenya: Women must no longer ask for permission · Vaticannews - Summary: Kenyan women learn self-reliance at Salama Center after years of hardship. Kenyan women at Salama Center gain vocational skills and economic independence… - Keywords: kenya, salama center, kibera, vocational training, women's empowerment, self-reliance, nairobi, religion, world, Women, must, longer - Source: Vaticannews — https://vaticannews.va/en/world/news/2026-10/kenya-salama-center-helping-women-nairobi-kibera-slum.html - Author: Vatican News - Published: 2026-10-14T10:43:38.907+00:00 - Read time: 1 min - Topics: kenya, salama center, kibera, vocational training, women's empowerment, self-reliance, nairobi, religion, world ## Kibera slum challenges Kibera, Kenya's largest informal settlement with half a million people, faces poverty and inadequate infrastructure. ## Salama Center mission Salama Center, established in 2018 by Koinonia community, provides vocational training and support for women in Kibera. ## Daisy's story Daisy, 23, became a mother at 23 after being cast out by her family following her first pregnancy. > However, my parents were shocked by my pregnancy. They asked, 'How could this happen? You haven't even gone to university yet; you haven't achieved your goals.' ## Daisy's struggle Daisy's partner prevents her from working, fearing she would become financially independent. > He called Salama and asked them not to help me, so that I would remain dependent on him. ## Daisy's hope Daisy plans to start a catering business and feels proud of her skills after training at Salama. > Compared to before, today I see that I have gained certain skills. I feel like I am getting closer to my goals. ## Eva's story Eva, a mother of two, completed secondary school but couldn't get her certificate due to fees. > In the neighborhood, people mocked me because I couldn't afford diapers for my children. ## Eva's progress Eva took a beauty course at Salama and now earns money as a cleaner to support her children. > It’s not my ultimate goal yet, but it’s a salary. It’s money. And it’s mine. ## Damaris's story Damaris, 25, became pregnant and lost her partner after giving birth in Kibera. > Houses can be so crowded that they accommodate up to ten people. ## Damaris's vision Damaris dreams of opening a center for girls and boys to provide education and support. > I would like to open a small center of my own, a place where girls and boys, men and women, can come. ## Salama's impact Salama Center provides safe spaces, vocational training, and follow-up support for women in Kibera. > When the girls come here, they are safe. First and foremost, they can take courses in cooking, beauty care, hairdressing, and tailoring. ## Kibera's reality Kibera has open sewers, inadequate drainage, and a lack of sanitation facilities despite its population size. > The United Nations has documented the presence of open sewers, inadequate drainage systems, and a lack of sanitation facilities relative to the population size. ## Community perspective Kibera residents are resilient despite poverty, with many successful people emerging from the slum. > Saying you are from Kibera does not define who you are. Many people from here have bright futures. ## Samuel Mwita's view Samuel Mwita, Salama's training coordinator, emphasizes women's liberation requires men's involvement. > Being the only man in this program is significant for that very reason to help and empower women. ## Lara Aiello's goal Lara Aiello aims to restore dignity to girls without portraying Kibera as a place of hopelessness. > We want to restore dignity to these girls. And we want to do so without viewing Kibera as a place of hopelessness. ## The future Women in Kibera are gaining economic independence and shifting societal perceptions of their roles. > Damaris is the best. All the women of Kibera are the best. ## Key takeaway Kenyan women at Salama Center gain vocational skills and economic independence after overcoming family rejection and poverty.