Rose Tabo was given an opportunity that changed her life: ‘Through my work I can also give back to my community’

– As a child, my life was full of challenges. My father passed away when I was only three years old, and my mother struggled to provide for us, says Rose Tabo, 36 

Women’s Bank is now operating in the area because opportunities for women remain scarce. But young Rose still had a long road ahead before she encountered the Finnish organization. This is her story.

During the day, the sun scorches Turkana, raising the temperature close to 40 degrees Celsius. Photo: Antti Yrjönen

The region is home to the Kalobeyei refugee camp, which has received refugees crossing the border from South Sudan and beyond for years. The picture shows sisters Azezino and Akoko (sitting on her lap), who arrived from the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2021. Photo: Antti Yrjönen

Rose Tabo: My Story

After my father passed away, I soon moved in with my older sister and her husband. My sister worked at a church, and thanks to that, I was given the opportunity to go to school. I was really lucky.

Everything changed when I was 14. My sister fell ill with pneumonia and passed away. I still remember that moment clearly—my final school exams were just around the corner, but I never got to take them.

My sister had two young daughters, and I became their caretaker.

My mother also moved in with us, and suddenly, I felt responsible for the entire family. There were days when we didn’t eat anything. Once, my mother was so sick that I feared she would die.

I had to drop out of school and start earning money.

Rose starts working at 14

I knew how to style hair, so I got a job as a hairdresser and was able to pay for my sister’s children’s school expenses. We managed to get by on my income, and for years, I did all kinds of jobs. I even got a temporary position as a radio host at a local station!

When I was 25, I met a man whom I married. But he left me soon after, while I was still pregnant.

I continued working as a hairdresser and eventually managed to pay for my nieces’ education all the way through high school. That was important to me. I had decided that I would educate them first and only then focus on my own studies—because they wouldn’t have survived if I hadn’t been earning a living.

One of them got a job as a legal assistant after graduation and started helping me care for my child. Finally, I was able to start studying psychology. But I had to interrupt my studies several times to earn money.

I also met a new partner and had two more children.

After seven years of studying, I finally graduated in 2022. It was one of the proudest moments of my life. Even though I couldn’t find work in my field, at least I had an education.

Entrepreneurship Opened the doors to a better life

I have always loved Turkana’s culture and art, so when I heard about Women Bank’s Creative Industries entrepreneurship training program, I applied. It opened my eyes.

I realized I had skills I could use. I paint and consider myself an artist, but I had never known how to make a living from it.

I also understood that I don’t have to do everything alone. I have hired people to make beaded jewellery, grow seedlings, and produce clothing. I sell all these products in my own store, Roxy Beauty Shop.

I now have a total of six employees, two of whom come from the refugee camp. I feel like a chameleon—I do a little bit of everything myself!

But my work isn’t just business. It’s also my way of keeping Turkana’s culture alive. For example, the seedlings we sell are grown from indigenous plant seeds, and the clothing follows traditional designs.

Rose Tabo

Traditional craftsmanship is easily forgotten when cheaper products flood the market.

Work provides livelihoods and preserves local culture

Now, I can buy enough food for my family and pay for my children’s education and healthcare. I am happy that I can take care of others because I have experienced such difficult times myself.

My goal is to grow my business, and I hope to gain new ideas and knowledge from Women’s Bank training. Marketing, in particular, is still a challenge for me.

Through my work, I can also give back to my community. I hope to train other artists and help them. I know that everyone deserves a chance.

In a world where modernization threatens African cultures and traditions, I am passionate about preserving the culture of the Turkana region .

Because I am an artist and an entrepreneur.

Written by: Eija Wallenius
Photos of Rose Tabo: Natalia Jidovanu

Main picture: Rose Tabo has set up a successful business with support from the Women’s Bank. She is wearing the necklace she sells and a traditional outfit. 

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