Entrepreneurship courses

Introduction

Entrepreneurship is more than business creation — it is a pathway to dignity, resilience, and community growth.

For returnees, starting a small business means more than earning income; it means taking control of their future, rebuilding confidence, and contributing to their communities.

At Forget Foundation, we believe entrepreneurship is one of the most powerful tools for sustainable reintegration.

By equipping returnees with skills, capital, and mentorship, we help them transform challenges into opportunities and become not only self-reliant but also agents of change in their societies.

Why Entrepreneurship Matters

The return journey is often marked by economic uncertainty.

Many returnees face significant barriers to securing employment:

High unemployment rates in their home regions.

Discrimination and stigma from employers or community members.

Limited access to credit or financial services due to lack of collateral.

Outdated or unrecognized skills from years spent abroad.

Without support, these challenges can trap returnees in cycles of poverty and vulnerability.

Entrepreneurship offers a solution: it empowers returnees to create their own livelihoods, generate income, and even provide jobs for others.

Entrepreneurship also builds resilience. Returnees who run successful businesses gain respect within their communities, reduce dependency on aid, and contribute to local development.

In this way, entrepreneurship is not just an economic tool — it is a foundation for long-term reintegration.

Our Vision on Entrepreneurship:

We envision a future where every returnee has the opportunity to become a job creator, not just a job seeker. Our vision is rooted in empowerment, sustainability, and community growth.

We believe that:

Every returnee carries unique skills and potential.

Entrepreneurship should be accessible to women, youth, and marginalized groups.

Local economies are stronger when returnees are supported as innovators and contributors.

By fostering returnee entrepreneurship, we aim to create thriving communities where reintegration is not only possible but sustainable.

Our Approach to Supporting Entrepreneurs:

At Forget Foundation, we provide a holistic package of support to help returnees succeed as entrepreneurs:

• ☼ 1. Business Training

Knowledge is the foundation of success. We offer workshops and training in:

Business planning and management.

Financial literacy and budgeting.

Marketing and customer relations.

Digital skills and e-commerce.

These sessions equip returnees with the practical skills they need to run sustainable businesses.

• ☼ 2. Seed Grants & Microloans

Access to capital is one of the biggest barriers returnees face. Through our programme:

Vulnerable returnees receive seed grants to launch micro-enterprises.

Those with viable business plans can access low-interest microloans.

We connect entrepreneurs with microfinance institutions for long-term financing.

This financial support allows returnees to turn ideas into reality.

• ☼ 3. Mentorship & Coaching

No entrepreneur succeeds alone. We pair returnees with experienced local entrepreneurs and business mentors who provide:

One-on-one coaching.

Ongoing advice and encouragement.

Networking opportunities to grow their ventures.

Mentorship builds confidence and ensures businesses remain resilient in the long run.

• ☼ 4. Market Access

Starting a business is only half the journey — finding customers is the other half. We support entrepreneurs by:

Linking them to local cooperatives and trade associations.

Providing platforms at fairs and exhibitions.

Supporting digital sales channels and online marketing.

With market access, returnees can grow beyond survival and scale their businesses.

• ☼ 5. Focus on Women & Youth

We recognize that women and young returnees often face additional barriers.

Our programmes include tailored training, peer-support groups, and specific funding opportunities to ensure inclusivity and equity.

A Story of Hope:Grace’s Small Business

Grace returned to Kenya after working abroad for several years. With no savings left and little formal education, she struggled to find a job.

Employers were hesitant to hire her, and her confidence shrunk.

Through our entrepreneurship programme, Grace attended a three-week training on business management.

With a small seed grant and mentorship from a local business owner, she launched a bakery shop in her village.

Within a year, Grace was not only supporting her family but also training two apprentices.

Today, Grace is a respected entrepreneur and a source of inspiration in her community.

Her story demonstrates how entrepreneurship can transform returnees into role models and leaders.

This was in Kaserian, Kajiado North.

Community & Economic Impact

Returnee entrepreneurship does more than improve individual lives — it strengthens entire communities.

Businesses started by returnees:

Create local jobs.

Provide services and goods where they are most needed.

Break down stigma by proving that returnees are valuable contributors.

Stimulate local economic growth by circulating income within the community.

By supporting returnee entrepreneurs, we build stronger, more resilient societies.

Partnerships for Greater Impact

We know that entrepreneurship programmes prosper when built on collaboration. We partner with:

Microfinance institutions to expand access to credit.

Local chambers of commerce to connect returnees with networks.

International organizations (IOM, UNHCR, development agencies) to scale our efforts.

Together, we ensure that returnees are not left behind but are given the tools to succeed.

Our Values in Action

Our entrepreneurship initiatives are guided by the values of:

Dignity: Every returnee deserves the chance to succeed.

Inclusion:Women, youth, and marginalized groups are prioritized.

Sustainability:We invest in long-term solutions, not short-term fixes.

Community:Entrepreneurship is about building together, not in isolation.

Join Us

Entrepreneurship is a journey — and returnees cannot walk it alone. You can be part of their success story.

Donate to support seed grants and training.

Volunteer as a mentor or trainer.

Partner with us to expand opportunities.

Together, we can empower returnees to rebuild their futures, one business at a time.