At 77 years old, Tome is proving that it’s never too late to change your story.
For years, Tome, a Maasai woman, spent her days creating intricate beaded jewelry. Each bracelet and necklace reflected her community’s vibrant culture and artistry. But despite her skill and dedication, her work brought in little to no income. Living in a remote area meant there were few buyers for her creations.
She used to give her beaded jewelry away for free, as she enjoyed making it and didn’t want her skills to go to waste.
Everything changed when Convoy of Hope’s Women’s Empowerment program reached her community. Tome received help from Convoy, and she felt confident enough to make a leap of faith and relocate to a tourist area near the Maasai Mara National Park, where visitors from around the world come to experience Kenya’s culture and wildlife.
That move transformed her business — and her life.
In just a few months, Tome went from earning nothing to making a profit each month. Today, she has increased her profit by 400% by selling her colorful beadwork to international tourists. With her profits, she’s purchased four goats and four sheep, giving her family additional sources of food and income.
“When Convoy came, they gave me an opportunity to go out there and work,” Tome said. “I have my business, I pay school fees, buy food and livestock for my family. I’m more comfortable at my age and I’m grateful to Convoy for their support.”
Beyond her personal success, Tome’s story is one of community empowerment. She has trained nine other women in bead-making, sharing not only her skills but also her business knowledge. Some of these women now work with a local organization that employs artisans across the Maasai region. Through this partnership, the women Tome trained earn a steady income to support their households.
Tome has also embraced the importance of financial planning. Before joining the program, she never had extra money to save. Now, she sets aside part of her earnings each month — a habit that’s given her a sense of confidence and control over her future. She dreams of using her savings to expand her business and help even more women start their own.
Her life looks very different today. Instead of selling livestock to pay for school fees or food, she uses her beadwork income to meet her family’s needs. She participates in household financial decisions, and she takes pride in the respect and stability she’s earned through her hard work.
For Tome, the greatest reward isn’t just financial — it’s emotional. It brings her great joy to share her knowledge and see other women succeed through beadwork.
Through her determination and generosity, Tome has become a role model in her community. Her success shows what can happen when traditional skills are combined with opportunity, training, and support.
From giving her jewelry away for free to building a thriving business that sustains her family and uplifts others, Tome’s journey is a story of resilience, resourcefulness, and hope.
Each bead she threads carries the story of a woman who refused to give up, and instead used her hands to build a brighter future for herself and her community.
