How House Help Rose to Etihad Airways Hostess and Owner of Two Bedroom Flats

Rebbeca Owino never envisioned herself living a life of luxury or wealth while she served as a housekeeper.

Rebbeca surpassed overwhelming obstacles with persistence and tenacity to reach a distinguished career as a cabin crew member with Etihad Airways and become a landlord with two-bedroom flats and a five-bedroom mansion. Raised in a dysfunctional family with a single mother struggling to support several siblings, Rebbeca assumed the role of childcare at a young age. Her life took a poignant turn when she arrived in Nairobi as a teenager and lived with her sister, a domestic worker, and her sister’s husband, a construction labourer.

Due to financial strain, Rebecca chose to forge her path and leave her sister’s residence. This life-changing decision propelled her on a journey of job-hunting, leading ultimately to her role as a nanny in Komarock. Rebecca shares the hardship and adversity she faced as a nanny. She reveals one disturbing experience where her employer in Buruburu expelled her immediately after her boss made inappropriate advances.

She found herself in another situation that led her to take shelter in the JCC church, under the guidance of Bishop Allan Kiuna and Reverend Cathy Kiuna, after being forced out of her employer’s house. In the tranquillity of the sanctuary, not only did she attain emotional comfort, but she also had the opportunity to engage in various church activities. This provided her with a place to stay and allowed her to continue her studies. The church even helped her enrol in Gumbaru schools, which run educational courses for mature adults where she not only finished her studies but also took the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Exams (KCSE).

Attending her Gumbaru classes was not the only thing on Owino’s plate – she also explored her passion for modelling. Inspired by supportive individuals who recognized her potential, she made use of every break she had to perfect her skills. Modelling had always been deeply ingrained in her, so it was suggested that she explore this path. At that time, Reverend Cathy Kiuna proved to be a steadfast pillar of support, even covering Owino’s rent as she navigated her way through the city. She remembers this kindness vividly to this day.

During this time, Rebecca managed to secure various job opportunities in Nairobi, including working as an usher at the Tusker Project Fame competitions. She also continued attending her Gumbaru school to complete her secondary education. An opportunity presented itself while she was still attending Gumbaru classes. She discovered that a Dubai-based company was recruiting sales personnel. Owino decided to take a leap of faith and applied for the position.

After successfully landing the job in Dubai, she diligently organized the essential paperwork for her passports and visa. Dubai became the catalyst for Rebecca’s remarkable rise, heralding a profound transformation in her journey. Immersed in the vibrant city, she wholeheartedly pursued her lifelong aspiration of joining the ranks of flight attendants, as the city provided ample opportunities to work with some of the world’s largest airline companies. Her persistence in applying finally paid off, as an airline called seeking flight attendants.

Following a series of exams, she earned recognition as an outstanding cabin crew member and travelled globally to the largest cities of the world. Utilizing her position in a government-owned airline company, she acquired loans and invested in the construction of two-bedroom flats. Through her determination, she eventually became the proud owner of a five-bedroom mansion. She is urging expatriates to invest a portion of their salaries and also prepare for unexpected circumstances, as job security is not guaranteed in the long run.