A private school in Mombasa has redefined the traditional Mother’s Day celebration by turning it into a platform for women’s economic empowerment. Maya Tots Academy in Nyali Sub-county chose to forgo the usual singing and dancing, instead hosting an interactive workshop to equip mothers with essential knowledge on accessing government-backed financial support.
The event, held over the weekend at the school’s VOK-area premises, brought together dozens of mothers for a hands-on session on navigating the application processes for various funding opportunities. These included the Women Enterprise Fund, Youth Fund, Hustler Fund, Uwezo Fund, and the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF).
School Director Mariam Juma said the initiative was inspired by her own transformative journey through financial empowerment.
“After going through the process myself, I realised how difficult it was to access the right information from the right people. This is my way of giving back, by sharing these opportunities with other women in our community,” she said.
She explained that replacing entertainment with empowerment was a conscious decision—an investment in the long-term well-being of families.
“Many mothers have the potential to run successful businesses, but they lack guidance on where to begin. By giving them this knowledge, we’re not only empowering them but also strengthening the economic fabric of our school and the wider community,” Juma added.
The workshop was led by Salama Ismael, Chairperson of the Uwezo Fund in Nyali Constituency, who demystified the application processes and eligibility criteria for various funding schemes.
“These funds exist, but they remain underutilized because many women simply don’t know how to access them. Today, we’re celebrating mothers not just with flowers and songs, but by giving them tools to stand on their own,” Ismael said.
Participants were also taken through sessions on financial discipline, business planning, and how to form self-help groups to unlock larger funding packages.
“I always say when you empower a woman, you empower an entire generation,” she added, urging the women to seize the opportunities available to start or grow their businesses.
For many parents, the training was a game-changer. Habiba Idris, a boutique owner, described the event as a turning point in her life.
“I have always wanted to expand my boutique, but didn’t know where to start or how to get funding. Now I feel informed and confident. This is the most meaningful Mother’s Day gift I’ve ever received,” she said.
Another parent, Fatuma Hassan, praised the school’s approach, noting that it tackled a critical need among women.
“This goes beyond education, it shows the school cares about our lives as parents. Many of us struggle silently because we don’t know what support is out there,” she said.
In addition to financial literacy, the mothers also participated in a parenting and child protection session. Facilitators covered effective communication with children and how to identify early signs of abuse.
The session emphasized the importance of teaching children about personal boundaries and body safety, and offered practical guidance on how to respond to suspected abuse.
“We’re not just offering financial knowledge, we’re empowering the whole woman. A financially stable and informed mother is better equipped to protect, nurture, and educate her children,” said Ms Juma.