Princess’ Nail Salon

Jambo! (Hello!)

My name is Princess, I come from Kenya in East Africa and this is my story.

Several years ago, friends introduced me to a lady referred to as mkubwa, meaning “the boss.” She owned a travel agency which I later realised was a front for her main business: sending women abroad for prostitution.

I was deceived into working for her and there was no backing out because I already owed a huge sum of money needed for travelling fees that I would never be able to repay. My work for “the boss” first landed me in Singapore, where I was introduced to the harsh realities of servicing clients day in and day out.

Mentally, I felt tortured, thinking of the health risks and waking up in the morning just trying to remember everything that took place the night before. After my Singapore visa expired, I returned to Kenya in even more debt. I was forced to go back to her again to clear it. At this point it was like she owned me.

I traveled to another country next and finally paid her off. But before paying it all off, I met all types of people. Here, I realised that the longer one lives on the streets, the more you lose your sense of humanity. I met bullies - both customers and girls whom I believe were damaged by what they had to deal with on a daily basis. Since arriving, a close friend passed away, a neighbor went to an intensive care unit due to drug abuse, and, at times, I was thrown out of hotels naked by a client or robbed while I was sleeping.

All these incidents led to me becoming an alcoholic. I drank on a daily basis to cope with meeting different people every day. I believed drinking gave me the courage I needed not only to hold a conversation with customers, but also to carry on and to stand up for myself whenever someone would try to take advantage of me. Most importantly, it helped me to sleep and forget everything.

Despite all this, I thank God for the wake-up call and keeping me healthy and free from serious drug abuse. I have also been welcomed by an organisation called “Sons & Daughters” where I am learning new skills while attending sewing, candle making, business, and finance classes. I have met an amazing group of people who have become like a family to me; together we share workouts, meals, and most of all, the word of God.

Now, I am making plans to return to my home country in November 2022, where I’m hoping to start a small business. Preparing for that day, I am enrolling in a beauty academy. This will enable me to better my skills before I start my dream business of opening a beauty salon. There I will learn how to do pedicures, manicures, and even how to do eyelashes and eyebrows.

My goal is to raise HKD $82,480 for tuition fees, business start-up capital, and some personal costs for daily living. A school that offers the courses that I need in English charges HKD $19,800 tuition. This is an amazing school with so much to offer and I’d be delighted to join them by God’s grace. I have already begun fundraising by selling mahamri (a Kenyan donut made with cardamom) as well as handmade textiles I have produced while at Sons & Daughters.

I am appealing to anyone who reads this to feel free to donate whatever the Lord puts on your heart. Any small amount will help me reach my goals and I’d be so very grateful. Thank you for taking the time to listen to my story - I know God’s plans for me have only just begun!

Asante Sana (thank you) & God-bless,

Princess


*Note from Princess' caseworker: for international donors, please note that this platform accepts donation amounts input as Hong Kong Dollars (i.e. $7.8 HKD = $1 USD) . Thank you!