The Joyful Women Organization (JOYWO) is celebrating 16 years of driving women’s empowerment and community transformation.
What began in 2009 as a small group meeting under a tree has blossomed into a movement of over one million women spanning all 47 counties,a testament to the power of unity and collective action.
Founded under the visionary leadership of Kenya’s First Lady, H.E. Mama Rachel Ruto, JOYWO has become one of the most influential women’s empowerment organizations in Kenya. At its core is the table banking model, which provides women with accessible, interest-friendly financial support to launch and grow businesses, invest in agriculture, educate their children, and uplift their households.
Beyond financial inclusion, JOYWO’s reach extends into comprehensive training programs in entrepreneurship, agribusiness, leadership, and household economic management. These community-driven initiatives have empowered thousands of women to move from vulnerability to independence, creating ripples of positive change that strengthen families and local economies.
In recognition of these achievements, Merck Foundation,the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany,has congratulated First Lady Mama Rachel Ruto and JOYWO on this milestone. “Sixteen years of empowering women, strengthening communities, and driving real change is truly an achievement to be celebrated. We honor Mama Rachel’s visionary leadership and JOYWO’s role in building a more inclusive, prosperous Kenya,” said Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej (Ret.), CEO of Merck Foundation.
The partnership between Merck Foundation and the Office of the First Lady has also yielded significant benefits for Kenya’s healthcare sector. To date, 295 scholarships have been awarded to healthcare providers in 44 critical and underserved specialties, enhancing patient care nationwide. In a new phase of collaboration, nearly 100 scholarships for a one-year postgraduate diploma in critical nutrition will be offered to doctors across all counties under the Feed One, End Hunger Program.
Merck Foundation is also supporting girls’ education through the “Educating Linda” initiative, which provides annual scholarships to 47 underprivileged schoolgirls, helping them stay in school and pursue their dreams.
As JOYWO celebrates 16 years of changing lives, the organization stands as a model of community-led empowerment. Its legacy serves as a powerful reminder that when women are given the tools to thrive, families prosper, and nations move forward. Here’s to the next chapter of impact, unity, and hope for Kenyan women and their communities.
