About Kayole

Kayole is one of Nairobi’s most densely populated informal settlements. Women—particularly widows and single mothers—face systemic exclusion from formal employment. Our intervention targets these structural barriers through skills development, education, and mental health support.

Kayole has approximately 55,600 people per square kilometre, where:

8%

The Skylit Centre, a flagship women’s empowerment initiative run by UNESCO Africa in Kayole Soweto, is the foundation of our work.

The Centre provides skills training, entrepreneurship support, and peer-led learning opportunities in a safe, community-driven environment. Women develop vocational skills such as garment production and beauty services, creating sustainable pathways to income generation.

Initially, Chloe visited the Skylit Centre once a week for two months, training nine women in hand embroidery using a range of techniques and stitches. As their skills developed, the women were commissioned to collaborate with her on handmade products. Today, groups continue to train weekly, refining their embroidery through work on fabric packaging and product design. All members of the Collective are paid fairly and are now earning a sustainable income.