How One Woman’s Determination Built a Thriving Poultry Business in Kenya

When Hyliene Atieno completed her studies in Hospitality Management in 2015, she dreamed of working in the hotel industry. But those dreams felt out of reach because every job application she sent out was rejected due to her physical disability.

“I looked for a job diligently but could not get one. Potential employers doubted my capacity to work. I pleaded for a chance to prove myself, but I was dismissed. After many attempts, I ended my job search. But I did not give up on myself,” she says.

Faced with unemployment and discrimination, Hyliene decided to forge her own path.

Today, the 33-year-old single mother from Migori County in south-western Kenya runs a successful poultry business.

She sells between 100 and 200 chickens every month and mentors others in her community to embrace agribusiness.

Starting her poultry business was not easy. Her chicks died, and she knew little about poultry farming. On top of this, she had limited capital. But her determination pushed her to seek solutions. In 2023, she joined the Resilient Agriculture that Works for Young People (RAY) Program, an initiative implemented by Practical Action in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation.

Through RAY, she learned how to brood chicks, make chicken feed, and vaccinate her birds. The program also connected her with experienced farmers, enabling her to learn the best poultry farming practices. Equipped with this new knowledge, her business began to grow.

Hyliene's success didn’t just benefit her. It ignited a wave of positive change in her community. She now mentors 20 young people, 14 of them women, teaching them how to start and manage their own poultry businesses.

Some have already completed their training and are now training others, creating a cycle of knowledge-sharing.

Hyliene is one of the Kijiji Changemakers, a group of young women leading the charge in helping others navigate socio-cultural and policy barriers to accessing dignified work.

The Kijiji Changemakers is an initiative of Resilient Agriculture that Works for Young People (RAY) program, supported by the Mastercard Foundation and Practical Action.

The Kijiji Changemakers work within their communities to influence policies and attitudes toward women. They collaborate with community leaders, chiefs, religious leaders, and community-based organizations to create a supportive environment for women in agriculture. They tackle issues such as land access, high taxes on agricultural inputs, and a lack of market opportunities.

As she continues to train and inspire others, Hyliene is ensuring that the next generation of young women in her community has a smoother path to success than she did.

For young women across Kenya, her message is simple: “The future is yours to build. Start where you are, with what you have, and don’t be afraid to dream big.”