Founder’s Story

In Kenya, over 16 million people live in extreme poverty, and 2.5 million people live in slums in the capital city of Nairobi. Founder Allie Amoroso first went to Kenya to study abroad, and was struck by the severity of poverty for women in the slums. During her study abroad, she researched social entrepreneurship and met many women like Cecilia. 

Cecilia lived in a shanty hut without running water, bathrooms, or electricity. Cecilia was abused by her uncle growing up in the village and then married a man who also abused her. The day Allie interviewed her, Cecilia’s husband had taken all of their money and left her with five children. In her conversation with Cecilia, Allie realized that they were both 21 years old. Together, they discovered that entrepreneurship could sustainably lift these women and their families from poverty. 

Allie helped 150 women like Cecilia launch the first 10 small businesses of ROSE. The first local volunteers named the community organization Restoration Of Sisters in the Extreme, which later became ROSE. Through this experience, God called Allie to continue to serve the poor, widows, and orphans. Allie worked in Silicon Valley until moving back to Kenya in 2018 to start ROSE Women’s Foundation.