Konyuka Women’s Group was started in July 2004 by twenty members - fifteen women and five men. We were mainly peasant farmers from the local community who felt that we could come together and work as a team to uplift our living standards through farming, merry-go-round and the sharing of ideas. In December 2005 the group was officially registered with the DCSS as a self-help group and we are now 35 members, 28 women and 7 men. We are a very hardworking team of mostly widows and widowers, with the objective of reducing poverty through agri-business. Our activities include:

• Production of bananas and horticulture for domestic and commercial use;
• maize and beans to feed our families and to support orphans.
• We keep local cows, sheep, local goats and cross-breed dairy goats.
• Merry-go-round assists members to buy household items and materials.
• Care and support to widows, orphans and vulnerable children (OVC).
• Home-based care to people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHAS).

Konyuka Women’s Group has steadily progressed since its formation. This can be observed by the group forming clusters i.e. decentralizing the activities of the group into sub-groups to ease the operations, to facilitate monitoring and evaluation and to allow for natural, manageable growth. There are currently four clusters named Mabisa, Bonge, Awach and Kong’ondo. Each cluster team is expected to have its own system/activities which may not be similar to the other clusters. The organization will have field days whereby all the clusters and neighbours are invited to come and learn new ideas and farming techniques.

Through the support we have received from the Imani Project we have gone a step ahead because we have been able to receive several items aiding us in field operations. We have also acquired new techniques through agricultural extension services. Through all these our production has improved a great deal.

The Imani team has helped us by training in new methods, record keeping, sustainability and team work. Through the Buy a Gift for Kenya scheme we have received small farming tools, foot pump, seeds, ploughing bulls and plough, dairy goats and donkey and cart, etc. In addition we have received uniforms for the orphans and because of our improvements we are now able to get enough food for ourselves and even share with the orphans and widows. The little income we get has enabled us to support a few orphans in school and buy them drugs. We have been encouraged so much by this support.

Benefiting from our group are: 60 orphans and vulnerable children up to 17 years old; 15 widows, of whom 10 are from outside the group; and 20 people living with HIV/AIDS.

The group is aiming high and has vowed to continue working hard to achieve their set objectives. Apart from current activities that we undertake we have other plans underway i.e. to buy at least 5 dairy cows to produce milk which is in high demand in the location; to establish a kindergarten; to start up fish farming, for which a potential site has already been identified.

We put God first in all our desires and plans. We also encourage other partners to join us at their wish, to help us alleviate poverty which is a major problem in our society. We must not forget to appreciate the gifts we have generously received from our sincere friends at Amani UK. God bless you all.

Mary Awino
Group Chairlady
Imani Project

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