Entrepreneurship Against the Odds: How Adele and Jean-Marie Built a Business in Kalobeyei

“We are, after all, the pillars upon which the future of the refugee community will be built.”

Jean-Marie, based in Kalobeyei Settlement, Kenya, spoke those powerful words about the role of entrepreneurs in refugee communities. How he and his partner Adele came to embody those words started seven years ago in difficult circumstances.

When you’re a refugee, even seemingly simple tasks can feel impossible. Limited resources, restrictive policies, and language barriers can make it challenging to access education, earn a livelihood, or care for your family. Without the protections and benefits of citizenship, life is an uphill battle. Yet, in the face of these challenges, many refugees dream, hope, learn, and work hard—so that when the right opportunity comes along, they are ready to soar.

This is Adele and Jean-Marie’s story.

In 2017, Jean-Marie arrived at Kalobeyei Settlement in Kenya, having fled conflict in Burundi. Originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Adele fled to Kenya in 2019, also to escape conflict. Life was incredibly challenging, but that changed when they met each other. Over time, they found ways to make ends meet to support their children. But like so many people affected by displacement, they wanted more than just survival: to not waste their talents, but to use them to create financial stability and a meaningful life.

Adele had a passion for fashion design. She learned to sew from her grandmother, and when the opportunity arose to take a tailoring course through a WUSC program, she seized it. The training not only enhanced her skills but also opened the door to her first job. With her encouragement, Jean-Marie decided to learn tailoring as well. Over time, they saved enough money to buy their first sewing machine—a pivotal moment that allowed her and Jean-Marie to start their own business.

They called it Peace House Enterprise.

This first machine was a game-changer.  Being the only tailors in their area, they attracted a steady stream of customers. They divided the tasks efficiently – one measuring and cutting garments, the other handling the sewing. However, limitations soon became apparent. 

The lack of additional machines hampered their progress. They yearned for equipment like zigzags, overlocks, and button pressers, tools that would enhance their work. Another challenge was accessing materials and having space.

Adele and Jean-Marie had the skills and the drive to work around these limitations, but they lacked access to financial resources and knowledge to scale up a business. Refugees in Kenya face significant barriers, including the inability to open bank accounts or access loans.

Despite the obstacles, they held onto a clear vision: a thriving business with a dedicated space, employing and training local youth, expanding to other villages, becoming a supplier of sewing materials in Kalobeyei, and ultimately having a positive impact on both refugees and the host community. 

This ambition could only be achieved with support services especially for entrepreneurs. This is where WUSC’s support made all the difference. 

By working with local partners, WUSC provides vocational training, entrepreneurial skill development, business networking opportunities and grants funding to promising small business owners in Kakuma Refugee Camp and Kalobeyei. These programs equip people like Adele and Jean-Marie with the tools they need to succeed as entrepreneurs, building businesses that serve their communities.

Today, Peace House Enterprise employs 26 people and trains 50 students in tailoring. The business has become a cornerstone of their community, providing essential services and opportunities for others. Competitors now buy materials from them and their income streams have diversified. With new business software, they are now able to maintain detailed records and managing tasks has become significantly easier. Looking at daily sales and customer interactions, they envision Peace House not just as a successful enterprise but as a wholesaler, an exporter, and perhaps even an importer, ultimately contributing to the economic well-being of Turkana County.

“I could never have imagined doing something like this before,” Adele says.

Their journey hasn’t been without challenges. A recent fire nearly destroyed their home and business, and the chaos left them vulnerable to theft. But Adele and Jean-Marie remain determined. They are building a new, more secure training and tailoring shop.

Their dreams don’t stop there. Jean-Marie envisions a day when Peace House Enterprise’s creations reach a global market. Adele dreams of offering childcare for employees and students, helping more people access training without worrying about their children.

Adele is deeply grateful for the support that has made their progress possible. “When you support WUSC, you are creating opportunities for hardworking people like us to build meaningful lives,” she says. “Because of this support, we’re able to provide for our family and help our entire community.” The benefit is not only economic: a thriving business like this one inspires others and creates social connection. “When we work together, we laugh, we talk, and for a little while, we forget the hardships we’ve been through,” Adele reflects.

Their story is part of a bigger picture: one of individual self-reliance in a context of growing refugee populations worldwide.

There are over 780,000 displaced people in Kenya, and that number is growing. While immediate humanitarian aid is crucial, Adele and Jean-Marie’s story highlights the positive impact of small business development, and the role it can play for economic and social development in refugee contexts.

WUSC’s programs create lifelines for refugees, providing a way to achieve self-reliance and resilience. Donations sustain these programs, so please consider making a contribution if you care and support these results.

With your support, WUSC is creating opportunities for individuals who dream big, work hard, and give back to their communities. In Jean-Marie’s words, what WUSC offers is “the most impactful program I’ve ever encountered. I wholeheartedly recommend its expansion and continued support for refugee entrepreneurs.  We are, after all, the pillars upon which the future of the refugee community will be built.”