Breaking Barriers: Hyline’s Journey Of Resilience And Empowerment

33-year-old Hyline Atieno is agripreneur with disability from Uriri Sub-County, Migori County.
 In 2015, Hyline completed her studies in Hospitality Management. But her plan of starting and building a thriving career in hospitality was soon shattered.
 
 “I looked for a job diligently but couldn’t get one. Due to my physical disability, potential employers expressed doubt about my capacity to work. I pleaded for a chance to prove myself but was dismissed. After many attempts, I ended my job search. But I did not give up on myself.” she recalls.

Today, Hyline is successfully running her business of brooding and selling chicks. From her family home, she sells 100-200 chickens monthly.

“I am glad my business is doing well. I can support my family and maintain my dignity as a woman and a person with disability. I dream of growing this business further.” she says.

Hyline is one of the thousands of young people Practical Action in Kenya is partnering with to facilitate decent youth livelihoods through agribusiness. This is under the Resilient Agriculture that Works for Young People (RAY) initiative by Mastercard Foundation in partnership with Practical Action.

So far, Hyline has received hands-on training on business management, mentorship, and gender empowerment. Thanks to the network of young agripreneurs facilitated by Practical Action in Kenya, she is able to market and sell her birds. She also switched to affordable and nutritious chicken feed produced by a fellow agripreneur within the network.

Hyline is an inspiration to other young people in her community. She mentors twenty youths, including fourteen women, on pursuing opportunities in agribusiness.

She is also a passionate champion of gender equality and empowerment. “I never miss an opportunity to speak for women in any forum I participate in. I am hopeful about seeing progress.” she says