Situated in Tigoni, Kiambu District, Kimlea Girls' Technical Training Centre is a project of Kianda Foundation that has now been entrusted to the Nurisha Trust. Kimlea provides technical training in income-generating skills to daughters of plantation workers. The Centre was officially opened in 1992 with funds from the European Union and is registered under the Ministry of Social Services as a social project.

BREAKING THE RURAL POVERTY CYCLE.

Mary Wanjiku graduated from a two-year course at Kimlea. She is a twin among 11 brothers and sisters. Her parents are tea pickers in a nearby tea estate. Mary had always wanted to start her own business, which she was able to do with the help of Kimlea. Mary acquired a jiko (charcoal burner), and with this, she started baking and selling biscuits to local traders. Within the first three months she had saved KShs. 5,000/- and with this she bought a sewing machine. Apart from selling biscuits, she also mends her neighbours' clothes for a small fee. Mary makes approximately KShs. 300/- per day, which is three times the amount her father or mother earn by picking tea the whole day. She is now helping towards the education of her younger brothers and sisters and has improved the standard of living of the whole family.

Mary is one of 5,000 women and girls who have directly benefited from the Kimlea activities.

Through  the outreach programmes many women have been able to start their own businesses and cater for their families.

The students are taught technical skills to enable them earn a living and improve the standard of living of their families.