Enlightenment in Eastern Kenya: positive change for women in Laikipia.

Esther Gilisho was born and grew up in Langudoro, Laikipia. She went to school up to primary standard 3. She was forced into a marriage with an old man and left after the marriage did not work out. She later on trained as a room steward and got a job at Lewa then later moved to work at the Il Ngwesi Lodge. Esther has 3 children.

Esther is a member of the Tunashola /Il Ngwesi Women Group which is one of the many groups working with VSO Jitolee in the Improved Sustainable Livelihoods (ISL) Project, a 4 year (2008-2011) project funded by the European Union.

PARTNERSHIP WITH VSO JITOLEE

Esther says that she has received an enlightenment (through trainings and exposure) that very few women have had the opportunity to experience, since the commencement of the ISL project. Her knowledge of bead making has improved so much that she resigned from her job at Il Ngwesi Lodge where she was earning Ksh 8 000 (approx. £60) per month. Esther’s resignation from the lodge enabled her to concentrate full time on bead making and farming. Esther’s training is thanks to the ISL Project and particularly, training by Sally Renshaw, a VSO Volunteer from the UK, who is sharing her skills as a marketing and craft production expert with the women of Il Ngwesi.

Esther says, “This may not have been possible if it wasn’t for the  (ISL) project and VSO. I realised I was missing a lot of the training and group meetings because of my work engagement. I made a decision to quit the job and focus on bead making. I have learnt how to make decorated cups, saucers, jugs, mats and scarves. I currently make about 50 – 100 articles and sell about 70 percent of what I make.  I can incorporate new designs elements into my work. I now make between Ksh 7,000 (approx. £50) to Ksh 30,000 (approx. £220) a month.  Recently I earned Ksh 14,000 (approx. £104) in one go and I keep getting orders. During the recent Safaricom (Lewa) Marathon we made a profit of Ksh 70,000, as a group.”

PERCEPTIONS OF CHANGE

Esther continues, “I used money from bead making to start a shop and grow onions and other vegetables. I received a Ksh 20,000 (approx. £148) bank loan to hire and develop a vegetable farm. The shop sells bead-making materials to other women. I make about Ksh 700 a week from selling vegetables. I have been able to repay the loan and I am now able to access loans from other sources to support my enterprises.” Esther recently purchased 32 water pipes and sprinkler systems to enable her irrigate her garden.

Esther says that she currently has orders to make 3 (maasai beads) decorated dresses worth Ksh 18,000 and enjoys the freedom to supervise her agricultural activities and run her shop. She recently moved her child from a public school to a private academy where she pays Ksh 3,500 per month. She believes her child will get better education.  “I contract two younger women to enable me meet my orders for beadwork thereby providing employment to others,” she says enthusiastically.

Commenting on the recent Nanyuki Agricultural and Trade Show where the Il Ngwesi Group had a display stan, she says, “The women group received requests to provide bead-making training to other women within Laikipia district. This was totally surprising for us. We weren’t sure how much to quote for the training. So we just gave a blanket figure of Ksh 5,000 per person trained. What this clearly showed us is that there is demand for our services and we have reached a level where we can train others in bead-making.”

Esther is now a trainer of trainers in the community. She feels confident that she is able to train others. She adds that, “People appreciate what we have been able to accomplish through VSO and the ISL Project.”

Esther says that women have been given a voice and men want their wives to be part of the project because the community now respects the women groups.  The project has gone very well and more women need to get exposure beyond the leaders. She is happy that she was able to participate in the Nanyuki Agricultural and Trade Show. Esther feels that Sally, the VSO volunteer has done a fantastic job and wishes that Sally would stay on even after the ISL project comes to a close.

Esther also feels that if a curio shop was established at Ngarendare it will enable the women group sell more beadwork to tourists.

As reported by George Awalla, PDO/IPM-HIV and AIDS, VSO Jitolee

For more information on Il Ngwesi Group Ranch visit: www.ilngwesi.com