Kibwezi Group members in Kibwezi are working on making bricks, planting tree nurseries, and beekeeping. It is hard to succeed at these activities without adequate water. The water sources are far away, and Beatrice reports that the women are often confronted by wild and domestic animals like elephants. Kilome This month, the training was on a type of poultry called Uzima or Sasso chickens. They discussed the advantages of this breed, the costs, and how to prepare for keeping them. Susan says, “We had a wonderful time, and most members were very interested some immediately ordered for chicks.” Kisau Groups in Kisau are doing well and saving to purchase multiple tanks. They trained on vegetable farming and beekeeping. They visited a member with a successful farm to learn about tree nurseries. Older groups are mentoring newer members. Kola Groups are working on vegetable and tree nurseries and also doing table banking and merry-go-round banking. The cluster trained on body fitness such as walking and jogging. Annah asks for your support and well wishes so “that every woman conquers every challenge.” Malili A Regina says that the cluster is struggling with climate change, and the weather has been unseasonably cold. Aka ma Uiini Women’s Group made sweaters and sold them. Many group members and their families are suffering from illness and hunger. Malili B Group leaders are training on record keeping and how to encourage group participation. Groups are selling ballast for construction, making sisal ropes, and doing casual labor at neighboring farms. Makueni Women in Makueni are struggling due to the economic situation in Kenya and drought. The leaders are training their groups on how to plant drought resistant crops and starting income generating activities that require less water. Several groups received training on using wonderbags and fireless cookers to save fuel and be more time efficient. Mbooni Agnes’s leadership continues to help groups be creative with their income generating activities. Kwiiyumya Women’s Group is “selling avocados like hot cakes. They all carry buckets full of avocado and sell alongside the roads.” Other groups are making school bags for children, harvesting passion fruit and tree tomatoes, and selling firewood and charcoal to help people heat their homes during this cold season. Agnes started this month’s cluster training with a question: What makes some groups do better than others?” Her answer: spiritual leaders and members, commitment, team work, no gossip, being compassionate, good training before formation, and being transparent and accountable! Tulimani This month, the cluster received training on drug abuse among the youth so that they are able to speak to their children and hopefully prevent drug use. Women are anxiously waiting for the protests in Kenya to cease. The protests are disrupting markets and making it difficult for the group members to sell their ballast and other goods. Yandue This new cluster still faces challenges as many members are not educated and are learning to overcome selfishness and meet group expectations. Agnes notes that these are common challenges in new groups and trusts the women will overcome them. Groups have been successful in selling food items including porridge and ice cream. One group is collecting sand from a riverbed to sell and another group has pounded rocks into gravel and sold it for construction projects in Nairobi.

The flooding in Kenya has caused many challenges, but groups are coming together to support members who are struggling. Kibwezi The women in Kibwezi have been training on how to work “like bees in their gardens,” and their hard work is paying off. Women with tanks share water with the members who are still working toward their first tank. Kilome Many of the women in Kilome do casual labor, but there are few opportunities available now due to the economy. The groups are still pressing ahead, determined to purchase at least one tank. Kwambeu Women’s Group continues to support Lydia, a disabled woman who has been part of the group for several years. Even though she is unable to work and contribute to the group savings, the women offer her support, bring her food and supplies, and keep her company . Kisau Groups are training on how to maintain kitchen gardens, how to manage groups, and how to have sustainable income generating activities. Members who have graduated and have successful farms are sharing their techniques. Kola Under Annah’s leadership, groups are determined to do well and are improving. The cluster trained on virtues such as love and unity as they support each other. Women visited members who have been sick, and they successfully raised enough money to help one member with her hospital bills. Makueni Despite challenges caused by the flooding, the groups in Makueni continue to do well with their income generating projects, including tree nurseries and merry-go-round savings. Twaweza and Aka Oi Women’s Group collaborated with an organization and received sewing machines. They are currently working on an order of 10,000 menstrual pads. Malili A Groups are knitting sweaters, selling liquid soap, and braiding ropes. It has been hard for the groups to sell their products due to the poor economy and transportation challenges caused by the floods. Most members’ chickens were carried away by floodwaters, and the women are struggling to find food. Some children have had to stay home from school because school fees are out of reach. Malili B Groups are crushing ballast and braising sisal ropes, but even motorbikes have been unable to reach the area because roads are washed out. They are waiting for roads to be repaired. One group has been able to go door-to-door reselling fruits and vegetables with some success. Mbooni Group members are working hard to support each other during these trying times. Agnes trained members on how to maintain their gardens during heavy rains. Neema Women’s Group is making bricks so they can build homes for members who lost theirs during the floods. Tulimani Monicah reports that groups are unstable, and women have not been able to make their contributions towards their targets. The torrential rains caused significant damage to crops and roads. “The villages are now repairing slowly by slowly.” Yandue Members of this new cluster are finding success with selling porridge, making jewelry, and constructing beehives. One group received training from the government on painting houses. Mbooni and Yandue clusters met together. Many members are sick, and some are without shelter after floods destroyed their homes. “During our gathering, I encouraged them to be strong when days are dark and also be brave when life gets tough.”