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.”

“My dream has come true.”

Monicah (Tulimani) – Group reports this month are full of the bad news from the floods – roads and markets closed because of heavy rain, cereal harvest destroyed by rain and worms, and even “poor attendance at meetings because many members cross rivers.” Harvest is anticipated to be poor, too. Sue (Makueni) – A new group, “Petal Sisters,” has started in Makueni, and they are already starting their savings while they are being trained. Rains and flooding really disturb them, however, so that their challenges this month were “sickness and death among members, floods, mud slides and most homes swept away by water and strong winds.” Their training was on leadership and the responsibilities of their group leaders. Agnes (Yandue) – Agnes describes her new cluster thus: “Most of the women are not educated, others don’t go to church, many girls are drop-outs from school.” She asks for prayer that these circumstances would change. They were highly motivated by meeting women from all over PFP at the Work Team marketplace, so she is hopefully to see change. Susan (Kilome) – “Great and very devastating is the floods caused by heavy downpour of rain. Banks overflowed, dams, landslides, farms washed away, and others got leached, falling of houses, dropping of toilets, etc.” Beatrice (Kibwezi) – Beatrice also talks about devastation in her area, and how in their meetings they discuss how to help members’ families when life is lost. They continue to share as they are able, however, Nyota Ndongo women’s group continues to struggle. Agnes (Mbooni) – This area has really struggled with flooding and mudslides because it is hilly. Sue (Kisau) – This cluster is doing well, and with so many groups graduating but wanting to stay involved, so this last months’ strategy was around their targets, meetings and trainings. Annah (Kola) – Our new RPM is reinforcing the skills and IGAs of the current six groups, while looking for new women’s groups to join in Kola. She just trained leaders in writing minutes. Heavy rains have affected the crops, and women are feeling discouraged. Regina (Malili A & B) – Floods are a major problem in Malili, affecting houses, health, markets and movement. She says, “tarmac roads are washed away by heavy rains, no vehicle or motorbike can move.” Women have piles of rope and gravel ready for sale, and no buyers because of the situation. For many IGAs, it’s also too muddy to work, such as collecting stones and casual labor, a main activity in Malili. The group that grows and sells vegetables and fruit had to throw out their rotten produce for lack of sales.

The community views a single mother in a new light

Welcoming a new leader for Kola cluster

“I flashed back and saw how I trekked for water for so many years.”

A group that has walked the path from poverty.

February 2024: Update from our Regional Program Managers

Several years ago, two men on the Olympic Peninsula met regularly to cut and donate firewood to local auctions and families in need. Through the Sequim Sunrise Rotary Club, they learned about Path From Poverty in 2018. The men agreed that Path From Poverty was a good cause and decided to lend their support! The group of woodcutters grew by several members, men ranging from their 60s to their 90s. Each week, this team of lumberjacks meets to cut wood that has been donated by tree removal experts. The trees are cut and delivered to Jack’s home, where the lumberjacks get to work. They cut the wood into logs and then deliver the cords to the local community. Most of the cords are sold and the proceeds are donated to Path From Poverty, while some are given to families in need. In 2022 alone, the team put in 1,000 hours and drove over 6,000 miles delivering cords of firewood. Since 2016, the Woodcutters team has donated over $63,000 to Path From Poverty, making a significant impact in the lives of Kenyan women. Jack notes, “Besides the donations we make to PFP, we benefit from the exercise but mainly we enjoy each other's company and have become close friends.” Read more about the Woodcutters at the Sequim Gazette: Sequim woodcutters find friendship while raising thousands for nonprofit | Sequim Gazette