Women's Empowerment

Twenty-three years ago, Ruth’s husband walked out of their house and never came back, leaving her to raise their four children. She has no idea what happened to him.  She says he was not a good husband or father as he often beat her and their children. Kenyan women do not often own property – only the men. When Ruth’s husband left, her mother-in-law told Ruth that even though the husband was not present, she was still married and could stay in the house with the children.   

Ruth raised her children, doing whatever she needed to do to provide food for her family and generate enough subsistence level income for unexpected expenses such as medicines, jerry can replacement, and school expenses for the kids.  She did casual labor, which includes tasks such as clearing the ground (by hand) for neighboring farmers in preparation of planting, harvesting crops for neighboring farmers, crushing stone, picking mangoes to sell at the market, etc.  

You see, Ruth could not read or write.  She had always relied on her kids to do that for her.  And now, as she considered what was next for her, she knew it would be hard for her to take care of herself if she could not read or write.  She knew people would be able to take advantage of her.  (In 2018, adult female illiteracy in Kenya was 60%).  So, she did something that for her was completely out of the norm and signed up to be a student in the Adult Education Program.  Her classmates are in their 60’s or older.  All started the program after finding themselves in difficult situations and needing to take care of themselves.  

Today, beaming with pride, Ruth tells everyone that she and her classmates can read and write a little, perform basic math, and speak some English.  She still attends classes, and their teacher uses real life situations to teach math, such as making change at a market.  The instructor also brings in other experts to teach the women about keeping livestock and farming as a way for the women to think about earning income to care for themselves.  

Eventually, Ruth’s entire class joined Path From Poverty with the goal of obtaining rainwater catchment tanks.. They all knew that walking hours per day for water, and carrying a jerry can full of water could not be sustained as they all got older. Her group meetings are every Tuesday, one hour before her education class.  Ruth says that the women’s group and the education classes have given her friendship, confidence, and hope. She now has a rainwater catchment tank and will keep working towards obtaining a second one.

Ruth said the group members support each other, listen to each other’s problems, help each other to find solutions, and work as a family to address difficulties. It is a new paradigm for Ruth and her classmates. 

At 65, Ruth is indeed taking the steps to take care of herself – and to thrive.  Adult Education Women’s Group has been instrumental in helping her to grow in her confidence, to have women friends, and to be able to take steps to care for herself as she ages. 

Support Ruth on her path from poverty!