We celebrate the members of Kawendo Women’s Group graduating from our program! This group of women joined together years ago under the leadership of Susan, Regional Program Manager for Kilome. They started successful income generating activities including beekeeping, keeping indigenous cattle, and farming legumes. 

Kawendo Women’s Group has faced many challenges. Its members are elderly and suffer from the effects of a lifetime of hard physical labor. When they could not walk to meetings, they tried to send a family member in their place.  During the prolonged drought, the group’s tree nursery failed but they were able to maintain their livestock project. 

Susan says, “These women are very special among many.” They have always moved forward as a group. Together, they purchased a single cow. When it calved, the calf was given to a member who was drawn from a lottery. They continued until every member had a cow. When a bull is born, he is sold with the proceeds going to the group. 

They have constructed a sand dam which has helped change the local environment to a green valley. The sand dam pond holds water that the community can use for two months to water their animals. Each member has a water pond which they dug as a group. The ponds hold water that can be used for their livestock and vegetable gardens. 

Kawendo group members have been dedicated to community service and have assisted community members who are HIV-positive with food and medicine. Many were near death, but they recovered thanks to this care. The community appreciates the group for this good work. 

The women worked very hard over the years and have been able to educate their children, many of whom are now attending college.

“I’m proud of these wonderful women,” Susan says. “They have a lot to boast about.”