Imarisha Wake
Over the past few months, through the Imarisha Wake program, we have been interacting with our participants in Muchatha, empowering them with practical skills to build economic independence. In this part of the journey, we guided them through a series of sessions on cake baking using the resources they have at home.
In our first session, participants learned the basics of baking; from mixing ingredients to managing heat without modern ovens. We encouraged them to practice at home and return with their experiences. By the second session, we explored how to profile and market their cakes, including how to price them fairly and attract customers within their communities.
Our most recent session focused on cake decoration. Before the session, we had divided our participants into four groups and tasked them with baking a cake together. The day began with reflections as each group shared the challenges they faced while baking. Many mentioned that controlling heat was difficult since most used charcoal stoves.
“I also encountered the same challenge with the jiko. Aside from that, we didn’t have some tools like measuring cups, so we used a regular cup, which still worked,” shared Irene on behalf of her group.
The discussion set the stage for our hands-on learning. We introduced the decorating ingredients, explaining why quality mattered. We also outlined the essential gears, such as hair caps, piping bags, fondant, spatulas, and turntables, among others. Each participant had a chance to decorate the cake, experimenting with patterns and textures while learning different decorating techniques.
The room was filled with excitement as participants took turns decorating the cakes. Some started off shyly but gradually built their confidence.
“The trick is in the hand movement. Make sure your hand is as flexible as possible,” we explained.
What began as a simple cake transformed into beautiful works of art. After the session, we gathered to share and enjoy the cake together; a sweet celebration of effort and learning.
Through Imarisha Wake, we continue to see how knowledge, when shared and practiced collectively, can transform not just skills but also mindsets. Every decorated cake was more than just a dessert; it was a symbol of growth, collaboration, and the power of women uplifting each other through learning.
Support our mission
Donate $25 (Ksh 3,225) or volunteer as a business mentor today. Your contribution empowers women to build sustainable businesses and uplift their communities with pride and purpose.
