In Kenya, women are becoming leaders in drought-stricken community

In the most drought-affected area of Kenya, Church World Service (CWS) is working with women farmers, with the support of PWRDF. Serima Samira Galmagale, 40, is a mother of six and the leader of a group of farmers in Ngurunit, known as a cluster. The cluster brings together four self-help groups with a total membership of 86. Her leadership journey began in July 2022 when she was selected as a member of the Advisory Committee of the Food Assistance Project supported by the Canadian Foodgrains Bank and PWRDF. Thanks to the training she received, she gained confidence and took up the challenge of speaking on behalf of the women during decision-making processes. For a whole year she took the lead in supporting women as they identified the most needy people in their community, locations for the food distribution centres and how to manage the food distribution.

“We are happy because CWS gave us an opportunity to reap from our hard work through Cash for Work, instilling some farming skills, and establishing a Village Savings and Loan Assocaition (VSLA). We can access loans to take our children to school,” said Galmagale.

During the Early Recovery Project, Galmagale took the lead in putting together her group, as well as forming the Ngurunit cluster. She led the group in organizing for cash for work activities, crop production, pasture establishment, beadwork and poultry production.

“I am grateful to CWS for helping me realize my passion, vision and abilities to mobilize fellow members into active groups. I am enjoying the opportunity to lead, and I look forward to leading my community to greater heights,” Galmagale said.

Galmagale is a symbol of hope for the women in the community. For many years women in Marsabit have played little or no part in decision-making about resource use, allocation as well as many other aspects that affect their day to day living. The advent of the PWRDF/Foodgrains Bank partnership for the last few years has opened a new chapter in providing voice to the rural women in Marsabit and by extension, Kenya.

Ntaato Lepurote is another example. From the dry and parched lands of the village of Laisamis, life in Marsabit County can be one of despair and hopelessness. People are living one day at a time, reeling from drought to flash floods; up against criminal activity such as cattle rustling and banditry; and seeking justice against poverty, early marriages, illiteracy and political exclusion.

“We had despaired and lost hope when drought wiped out our livestock,” said Lepurote, 49. “Men and boys migrated and stayed for many months, with reports of livestock deaths. Amidst the fear of cattle rustling, we constantly lived in fear of losing our men. Our boys left school to accompany men in search of pasture and water. Indeed, all hope was lost.”

Lepurote, a member of Naliapo Self Help Group in Ngurunit Ward, is among the 330 participants of the early recovery project supported by PWRDF and the Foodgrains Bank that includes cash for work, kitchen gardening, poultry keeping, Village Savings and Loans Association (VSLA) and beadworks.

“God remembered us when CWS came with food from Canada and for a whole year we ate good food, a lot of food. Our hope was revived. When we thought it was over, they came to look for us again, to teach us how to produce the food,” she added.

Through Cash for Work, Lepurote was able to buy food for her household, send her children to school, help her neighbours and saved some money in the VSLA. Through training and input development, she was able to establish a vegetable garden, as well as set up a small plot to produce green grams (mung beans) and cow peas.

“I had never imagined in my life that I can grow food by myself!” she said. “I don’t have to wait for relief food anymore.”

Like most of the group members, Lepurote is requesting more training in order to better understand how to grow crops, take care of the chickens and also how to do business, especially now that they have savings. Lepurote was able to save 12,000 Kenya Shillings in three months through the VSLA.

The harvest of green grams and cow peas from the small farms is a ‘harvest of hope’ for many people in Ngurunit. Many had never imagined that the solution to their greatest problem was right beneath their feet! When asked to identify two things that have impacted their lives most, all the group members said that crop production and VSLA would remain with them long after CWS left.