NAIROBI, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- A large rectangular table sits at the center of a prefabricated office with plastic seats partially slid around it.

On one side of its walls are photos documenting the success stories of entrepreneurs who previously worked at the facility.

Somo Hub is a shared working space in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi's sprawling Kibera slums, often described as the largest informal settlement in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The facility provides primary office amenities for low-income users from Kibera slums and its environs. It can accommodate at least 30 people and is devoid of extravagance only spotting essential elements such as a printer, an internet router, several computers, a whiteboard, a projector, and a hydration station.

"This workplace has been crucial because it provides the community with laptops and internet at a small fee. I, for instance, love working from here because it is a quiet place for brainstorming business ideas and networking," said Steven Ochieng, a gym instructor, during a recent interview.

Its location in the middle of a long stretch of shanties makes Somo Hub stand out among co-working spaces in the country.

Customarily, on-demand shared offices are domiciled in prime working locations. Geography on its own gives away the profile of clients -- those with enough financial muscle to flex.

Subsequently, a segment of the population operating on a shoestring budget is left to work from cyber cafes not modeled for work engagements and homes that are equally unfitting.

Somo Hub is under the Somo organization which was established some five years ago to support entrepreneurs from low-income communities and empower them through training, provision of startup grants, and access to the wider markets.

Although co-working was not a keen focus for the organization, it quickly became apparent that entrepreneurs whom they were supporting needed access to electricity, laptops, the internet, and a place of stillness to work.

Residents of Kibera slums, like their peers in other informal settlements, are disproportionately affected by poor electrification, access to sanitary services, and proper housing.

For that reason, the availability of a facility where they can work in dignity makes a big difference.

Members of the organization are allowed free access to its amenities while the community and its environs are charged 100 shillings (about 0.88 U.S. dollars) per hour at the same time as the group rate stands at 5.30 dollars.

"The ideal target user is someone who needs access to electrical power, for instance, teachers, entrepreneurs; some organizations not part of the community and religious groups," said Mercy Temesi, who leads marketing and sales at Somo. "The impact has been tremendous; we have seen entrepreneurs who come here flourish because they can track their sales from here and consult among themselves. During the pandemic the place saw teachers mentor students from here."

Joshua Onilo, who runs a healthy restaurant in Kibera slums, attaches the success of his business to the Somo Hub where he was able to grow his business considerably.

"I have been able to write several business proposals from here using these readily available printers and the assistance of the pool of experts that are found here," Onilo said. "Working from here also helps one get wind of emerging opportunities outside what the organization offers." Enditem

Related

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)