A Journey of Empowerment

Hope Beyond Initiative (HBI) is a nonprofit organization dedicated founded and registered in 2011 to empower vulnerable youth in Kenya. Operating primarily in

Nairobi, Kakamega, and Bungoma counties, HBI seeks to empower vulnerable

youth to break barriers, thrive and lead positive community change.

The genesis of HBI can be traced back to the personal experiences of its

founder, Mary. Living near the Kibera slums in Nairobi in 2007, Mary witnessed

first hand the challenges faced by many young people. 

One such young girl is Aurelia Atieno, a neighbor who endured hardships due to her parent's financial constraints and absence. Aurelia (9 years old at the time) and her siblings would be left to fend for themselves for days on end. Mary and her family would give them food, and other basic necessities including sanitary towels when Aurelia came of age. Sadly, her mother eventually passed on. Aurelia would say this

later on: “Thank you for the help you have given my siblings and I over the

years and the sanitary towels. They have helped me to live in dignity as a girl.

You are like a mother to me.” (2011) She calls Mary ‘mom’ to this day.

Mary's compassion and support for Aurelia and her siblings played a pivotal role

in inspiring the founding of HBI. For over a decade now, HBI has been at the

forefront of youth empowerment. Through partnerships with organizations like

Gulf African Bank, HBI has sponsored a number of young people through

secondary school and university. The organization has also provided essential

resources, including sanitary towels and basic necessities, to ensure the wellbeing

of both girls and boys.

Beyond educational support, HBI has actively mentored youth, both in and out

of school, offering guidance and encouragement. Additionally, the organization

has equipped young people with valuable life skills, entrepreneurship skills, business capital, and financial management knowledge and skills, empowering them to become self-reliant and contribute positively to and within their communities