Author: nrttrading

From Early Motherhood to Building a Life of Independence: Teresa’s Journey of Entrepreneurship and Growth

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In a remote village in Masol Conservancy, West Pokot County, Teresa Elolia is a renowned entrepreneur with a reputation growing as quickly as her ambitions. Growing up, her world revolved around family, but as the years passed, she realized that her passion could be something more. When an unexpected opportunity came her way, Teresa saw the chance to turn her skills into something tangible, setting her on a path she hadn’t anticipated.

Born into a modest household, her family provided a stable environment, allowing her to focus on what mattered most—education. However, Teresa’s life took an unexpected turn when she became pregnant in Grade 7 with her first child, yet despite the odds, she managed to complete her primary school education. But after joining Form 1, she soon became pregnant with her second child. Struggling to balance motherhood and education, Teresa made the difficult decision to drop out of school and focus on raising her children. At a young age, Teresa later met a man who fathered her third child. However, this relationship proved to be another challenge. The man, often lost in alcohol, could barely provide for the family. Left with no choice, Teresa parted ways with him and returned to her parents’ home.

With limited options and children to care for, Teresa began wondering how she could change her life’s trajectory. In 2022, through MashinaniWORKS’ Ujuzi Manyattani program, with the support of USAID, Teresa found hope. One of the local community members informed Teresa’s father, who didn’t hesitate to submit her name for enrollment. The beauty of Ujuzi Manyattani lay in its inclusivity—there were no education-level restrictions. Teresa eagerly chose to pursue catering, a craft she had always been passionate about.

Teresa, second row, first from the right during the Masol Ujuzi Manyattani graduation in 2022

“A few months into the training, I noticed a gap in the local market for baked goods like cakes, donuts, and mandazi, and I seized the opportunity,”

With just a packet of wheat flour and cooking oil, she prepared small batches and hawked them to nearby shops while juggling her studies. This helped her earn an income while getting popular for her services.

Upon graduating with her catering certificate and receiving a tool kit from the program, Teresa fully launched herself into the business world. Her catering skills allowed her to expand her offerings, and she soon started selling maize, beans, and sugar to local hotels, making around KES 12,000 from these sales alone. On a good day, Teresa’s catering business, including a mini hotel, brings in up to KES 6,000. Even on slower days, she can at least make KES 1,000—enough to sustain her family and ensure her children attend school. She no longer relies on her parents for financial support but also helps take care of her siblings; her stability has brought her a sense of independence she once only dreamed of.

With the growing settlement around the area, there has been increased competition in the local market, but the unique touch of her work and the skills she gained from Ujuzi Manyattani keep her ahead of the curve.

With dreams of expanding her business and even employing others, Teresa sees a future where her services are sought after far and wide. She also plans to invest in livestock, diversifying her income sources, and continually upgrading her skills to remain competitive.

Beads of Hope: How BeadWORKS is Transforming Lives of Pastoralist Women through Handicraft

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Isn’t it amazing when mastering a craft becomes a pathway to financial independence and community leadership? For Nampaiyo Lepartingat, this was her reality.

As a mother of seven from Kalama Community Conservancy, Samburu County, her daily life revolved around caring for her family and managing their livestock. The unpredictability of livestock sales often left her financially strained, relying solely on her husband’s income. However, Nampaiyo sought ways to improve her family’s financial stability.

Everything changed five years ago when she discovered BeadWORKS through a friend. Intrigued by the prospect of earning additional income without leaving her home or livestock unattended, she eagerly embraced the opportunity to learn. Joining a Kalama women’s beading group, Nampaiyo quickly distinguished herself as a diligent and skilled artisan. Her talent in creating beautiful pieces and natural leadership capabilities rapidly became evident, leading to her recognition as a starbeader. She is one of 108 starbeaders and acts as a link between BeadWORKS and the beaders. Her responsibilities extend to serving as a supervisor and providing support, guidance, and leadership to the group members.

Through BeadWORKS’ support and training initiatives, Nampaiyo honed her beading skills and gained an understanding of financial management and entrepreneurship. The training offered through the Rangelands SACCO equipped her with essential knowledge in savings and credit management. This enabled her to invest in her businesses, including setting up a successful chicken-rearing business and a shop with mobile money services. With her earnings, Nampaiyo built a modern home for her family, replacing their traditional grass-thatched dwelling, and also provided her children with better living conditions, including access to electricity for smooth learning and security.

Since 2015, BeadWORKS has become a driving force for change among 1,200 pastoralist women in northern Kenya. By leveraging the inbuilt skills of these pastoralist women, BeadWORKS has effectively turned their artisanal craft into a sustainable source of income. For Nampaiyo and the other women, market linkages have been created locally and internationally, expanding their economic opportunities. This increased market access has amplified the impact of BeadWORKS, leading to further economic growth and empowerment for the women.

BeadWORKS, a handicraft initiative under MashinaniWORKS, harnesses the traditional beading skills of women in northern Kenya. This business line provides pastoralist women from nine NRT member conservancies with the opportunity to transform their cultural craft into a vital source of income. In doing so, BeadWORKS helps these women support their families while contributing millions of shillings in conservation fees that fund community development projects.

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From Hotel To Shop To Transport Businesses – Mikelina Leparmorijo’s Entrepreneurial Journey

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Mikelina Leparmorijo is a 50-year-old mother of 7 who was born into a pastoralist community. She grew up surrounded by traditional livestock-keeping, the primary income source for her family and many others in the community. However, at the young age of 15, Mikelina was forced into marriage and didn’t have the opportunity to continue her education beyond Class 8.

Despite this setback, Mikelina’s entrepreneurial spirit never wavered. A few years later, she began running a hotel and preparing meals for locals, which allowed her to earn enough money to support her children. However, she knew that she needed to diversify her income stream to ensure financial stability for her family.

In 2016, Mikelina learned about the Rangelands SACCO through the Conservancy management and immediately joined as one of the 300 members. Together with other women, she received her first loan of KES 25,000, which helped her boost her hotel business. Michelina later became a Conservancy Enterprise Agent to help recruit new members and follow up on outstanding loans.

“Rangelands SACCO came to our remote areas to change our lives. They trained us to earn a diversified income without depending on livestock. We know about saving and budgeting, and our businesses are running smoothly. We have averted the loss of livestock during the drought period because we were taught how to manage that.” Mikelina happily says.

With the help of the SACCO, Mikelina was able to take a development loan of KES 100,000, which she opened a shop to diversify her income in addition to investing in a vehicle that is being used for transport business together with her sons. Her hard work and dedication paid off when she was elected as the SACCO Chairlady two years ago, a position she holds with pride. Mikelina is proud that more women from her community are taking the opportunity to save and borrow loans from financial institutions like the Rangelands SACCO to improve their lives. Before, they depended on their husbands for everything, but now they have stable businesses.

Today, Mikelina celebrates the increasing number of women in her community who, like her, have embraced the power of savings, loans, and diversified businesses. These women have achieved financial independence, established stable businesses resilient to natural calamities, and secured brighter futures for their children through better education and improved living conditions.

Passion for Progress: Meet Amos Moyare of Tassia Lodge

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In the heart of Nadung’oro village, Lekurruki Community Conservancy, a remarkable tale of resilience and determination emerges. Meet Amos Moyare, who rose from humble beginnings to become a crucial asset of a prestigious lodge in northern Kenya. Raised by a single mother alongside six siblings, Amos faced significant financial challenges. Despite these hardships, his family rallied together, enabling him to pursue his education, with his elder brother becoming the family’s pillar of support.

Unlike the conventional image of young men from his community entangled in retrogressive practices such as cattle rustling and banditry, Amos defied stereotypes with his passion for education. He firmly believed education was key to unlocking a future free from poverty and other socioeconomic challenges.

Upon completing his secondary school education in 2011, Amos was at a crossroads. With no means to pursue further studies and faced with harsh living conditions, he courageously took on the role of a volunteer teacher at a local primary school while tirelessly seeking better opportunities.

Amos’s journey took an exhilarating turn when he became enthusiastic about pursuing a career in the tourism industry. His passion was ignited by the region’s diverse wildlife, stunning landscapes, and unique cultural experiences that led to the substantial development of a community-owned tourism facility nearby.

In July 2022, Amos secured an interview with Tassia Lodge, a perfect secluded getaway in Lekuruki Conservancy, and earned a well-deserved spot on the team. Undergoing extensive on-the-job training at Peaks Hotels in Nanyuki, Amos sharpened his hospitality management skills as a food and beverage waiter, preparing himself for the adventurous journey ahead.

Now a 33-year-old, Amos stands tall as he serves guests from all corners of the world. The interactions with these visitors bring him great joy, and the heartfelt appreciation he receives for his exceptional service is deeply rewarding. His role as an F&B waiter has sharpened his prowess and ushered in a newfound sense of financial stability. With his hard-earned income, Amos has established a shop for his wife, significantly contributing to their improved livelihood.

Working at Tassia Lodge has profoundly changed Amos’s life, transforming his outlook on life and shaping his dreams. It has allowed him to envision a future where he can invest in livestock rearing and secure assets, such as plots of land, and expand their business.

Looking ahead, Amos sees himself continuing to grow within the community-owned tourism sector, leveraging his experience and passion to build a sustainable future for himself and his family.

Leadership in Business and Conservation – The Story of Pauline Lolngojine

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Recently, women in northern Kenya have emerged as key decision-makers in their communities. They now hold leadership positions and have gained control over benefits, which has resulted in their full participation in the economy as market actors.

Pauline Nduraa Lolngojine is a 47-year-old mother of five from Archers Post in Samburu County, whose story embodies resilience, community impact, and empowerment. Married off at a young age, her education was abruptly cut short in Form 3. However, Pauline chose not to despair. Undeterred by the following hardships, she seized an opportunity during the construction of the Isiolo-Moyale highway to start preparing and hawking meals for the workers. This marked the beginning of her entrepreneurial venture, and she soon expanded to selling groceries by the roadside.

Pauline addresses women during the Marsabit women’s caucus.

As a member of the Sera Community Conservancy, Pauline’s conservation efforts earned her a position on the board, where she later became the tourism chairperson, breaking barriers as the only female in this role. Her journey continued as she was re-elected as the Conservancy’s Chairperson, solidifying her position as a powerful voice for women.

In 2018, Pauline joined Rangelands Savings and Credit Cooperative (Rangelands SACCO), an independent, community-owned, and membership-driven financial organization. Elected as the chairperson, she embraced the training and guidance provided by the SACCO to become a star entrepreneur. Through Rangelands SACCO, Pauline received loans that she strategically invested to catalyze the growth of her businesses. The entrepreneurial and financial literacy training, including business planning, customer service, marketing and branding, managing profits and losses, costing, and pricing, equipped her with the skills to manage every aspect of her enterprises.

Being among over 6,000 members, the impact of Rangelands SACCO on Pauline’s life is evident from an initial loan of KES 30,000 to her latest loan of KES 900,000. She secured her children’s education and a plot for her restaurant and invested in equipment and materials, elevating the quality of her services. The loans met her progressive targets and positioned her in a better place.

Pauline provides outside catering services at Uaso Girls to children on an educational trip.

Her entrepreneurial journey saw her venture into diverse fields, from groceries by the roadside to outside catering services and a Choma Zone (roast meat) restaurant that will serve travelers along Archers Post.

In the Annual Delegates Meetings held on 26th April 2023 and 7th March 2024, she was celebrated as the best borrower in 2022 and 2023, respectively. “The awards motivate me to keep achieving my goals in the Sacco and being a role model by uplifting others through giving them advice and showing them my best practices,” says Pauline. Her journey with Rangelands SACCO is not just about financial gains; it’s about inspiring and uplifting an entire community, creating a ripple effect of positive change. Pauline has become an employer, creating job opportunities and contributing to the economic growth of her community.

Pauline receives her certificate as the Best Borrower in 2023 during the Rangelands SACCO Annual Delegates Meeting held on 7th March 2024
Pauline receives her certificate as the Best Borrower in 2022 during the Rangelands SACCO Annual Delegates Meeting held on 26th April 2023

As Pauline envisions securing plots for accommodation facilities and campsites, her dreams extend beyond personal success. She aims to contribute to the growth of the local economy and leave an indelible mark on the community that she holds dear.

From Shadows of Crime to Illuminating Life Skills: Evans Echwa’s Journey From Banditry to Entrepreneurship

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A large, healthy livestock herd is a pastoralist’s pride and joy.

For indigenous pastoralist communities, it is the main currency, the only one that truly matters, culturally speaking. In the vast expanse of Nakuprat Gotu Conservancy, a young moran named Evans Echwa toiled in the fields, herding his family’s livestock for years. His journey, however, was far from the ordinary.

Echwa, a 26-year-old with a weathered spirit, dropped out of school at the tender age of class five, burdened by the responsibility of caring for his family’s cattle. Little did he know that his challenges would be as relentless as the scorching sun that beat down upon the arid land in northern Kenya.

Drought and banditry attacks became haunting shadows, casting uncertainty over his family’s livelihood. Preserving the cattle family’s only source of livelihood became critical. As pasture and water supplies dwindled, Echwa moved the herd further from home in search of grazing fields. Sometimes, he would cover distances of up to 100 kilometers to ensure the cattle were adequately fed and watered.

Echwa at his garage in Kiwanja, Nakuprat-Gotu Conservancy

A life without the livestock was unimaginable!

As northern Kenya endured its fifth consecutive failed rainy season, Echwa’s greatest fear became a reality when the prolonged drought eventually wiped out his family’s entire herd. Left with no alternative source of income and being a lower primary school dropout, Echwa and his family faced a grim future. 

Faced with shame and the weight of family blame, he embarked on a daring journey to recover what was lost. In a desperate bid for retribution, Echwa joined fellow morans and raided the neighboring community for livestock.

The fateful raid unfolded with a tragic climax -Echwa was shot alongside his fellow morans, and some of his comrades paid the ultimate price. The merciless bullets sprayed upon them did not spare his comrades’ lives.

His Turning Point!

Lucky to survive, Echwa nursed back to health in the sterile walls of a hospital, where he found himself at a crossroads. With the ghosts of the past crimes haunting him and the loss of his comrades weighing heavy on his conscience, he contemplated a new path for his life. One that diverged from the shadows of violence and into the realm of a better life.

Echwa and his fellow Ujuzi Manyattani trainees during a two-day Yamaha motorcycle training in 2022 courtesy of Toyota Kenya

Determined to rewrite his narrative, Echwa faced the uphill battle alone, without support for his newfound ambition. However, fate intervened during one of his idle days. In 2021, he discovered that NRT Trading Ujuzi Manyattani was organizing a sensitization meeting at Nakuprat Community Conservancy. The vocational programs offered by the organization offered a beacon of hope for people like him who were looking for an opportunity to better their lives through marketable skills.”

Undeterred by his lack of formal schooling, he applied, half-expecting rejection. To his surprise, the opportunity embraced him. “I applied for a course in motorcycle repair, and I was surprised to qualify even at my level,” recounts Echwa with a spark of gratitude in his eyes.

The next three months became a transformative journey as Evans immersed himself in the Ujuzi Manyattani vocational training program that places trainers in the villages. In April 2022, he emerged not just as a graduate but as a symbol of resilience, armed with startup tool kits and a newfound sense of purpose.

Echwa and his fellow trainees pose for a photo

Echwa established his garage in the heart of Kiwanja village, located in Isiolo County, within Nakuprat Gotu Conservancy. He sees his enterprise as a business and a force for positive change. “Running my own garage has given me a lot of focus in life. I am no longer dependent on banditry crimes to survive. My mind is now focused on how to expand my business and be of more help to my community and family,” he says.

Evans Echwa, once a herder bound by the trials of the land into banditry, is among the 88% of Ujuzi Manyattani graduates who have embarked on self-employment through setting up their businesses, hence earning an income to secure their livelihoods.

Wheels of Change: Building Futures through Ujuzi Manyattani

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Early last year, NRT Trading Ujuzi Manyattani held a graduation ceremony that marked a significant milestone for 337 women and youth from NRT member Community Conservancies of Nakuprat-Gotu, Nasuulu, Ltungai, Shurr, Jaldesa, and Songa in Isiolo, Samburu, and Marsabit Counties. These graduates had completed various vocational courses with the support of the USAID Local Works program, the Royal Danish Embassy, the Embassy of Sweden through the IMARA project, IUCN Save our Species co-funded by the European Union, The Nature Conservancy, and Northern Rangelands Trust.

Among the graduates was John Galwersi, a young man from Karare, Songa Conservancy, Marsabit County. Before joining Ujuzi Manyattani, John worked as a boda-boda operator, braving the elements to sustain himself and his family. However, long hours on the motorcycle began taking a toll on his health, leading him to seek alternatives. Fortunately, through the Songa Community Conservancy management, he learned about a vocational training program targeting women and youth from indigenous communities with marketable skills to diversify livelihoods and encourage entrepreneurship.

John receives start-up toolkits during the Ujuzi Manyattani graduation on April 6th, 2022

John enrolled in the motorcycle repair and maintenance course, envisioning it as an educational pursuit and the foundation for a future business. However, after completing his training and graduating, he struggled to secure a job but remained persistent. With the start-up toolkits he received during graduation, he put them to work and undertook a couple of attachment opportunities with skilled mechanics to increase his grip in repairing motorcycles. He occasionally searched for employment opportunities and set aside some modest earnings.

To fill a crucial gap in his community’s need for motorcycle repair services, John used his savings of KES 5,000 to establish an auto spares and motorcycle repair shop. He stocked it with essential items for motorbikes, such as engine oil, side mirrors, brake pads, and tubes. John would conduct tests on different motorcycle models and repair various motorcycle systems, including engines, transmissions, and brakes.

John’s journey didn’t stop with technical expertise. Biashara Mashinani provided him with tailored entrepreneurial and financial literacy training in business planning, analysis, risk management, branding, customer service, and record keeping. This comprehensive training paved the way for John to run a successful business and expand his services.

John repairs a tricycle outside his auto spares and motorcycle repair shop.

From his business dubbed “Johntes Auto Spares and Motorcycle Repair, John earns a daily income of between KES 1,000 and 5,000 and has also created job opportunities for other young individuals in his community. His mobile services also cater to customers who face challenges traveling to Karare town, contributing positively to the community’s convenience.

John has encountered some difficulties in his business journey. He has lost quite a lot of money to customers who promised to pay back the money after repair but disappeared without fulfilling their promise, resulting in significant losses. Additionally, since he often orders materials from other towns, they sometimes arrive damaged, forcing him to order new ones and incur unexpected expenses. These setbacks, however, have not deterred him.

From owning a box of tools to having a fully stocked auto spares shop, John’s decision to be self-employed was the best he could have made. He now runs his business smoothly while growing his skill set and knowledge, monitoring all the profits and losses, choosing what to outsource to others, and being his own boss!

John advises other young women and men to acquire skills and enroll in programs like Ujuzi Manyattani, which offers vocational skills to address market gaps and boost and diversify the livelihoods of women and youth without disrupting their normal ways of life.

John is among the 88% of Ujuzi Manyattani graduates who have embarked on self-employment through setting up their businesses, hence earning an income to secure their livelihoods.

Rising Beyond Terrorism Scars: Mumina’s Extraordinary Journey from Tragedy to Triumph

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Insecurity has long plagued Kenya’s northern and coastal regions, casting a shadow over the dreams of its residents and inflicting pain upon countless families. Yet amidst this adversity, there emerges an inspiring story of a 21-year-old that encapsulates resilience, determination, and an unyielding spirit.

In 2017, a young girl named Mumina Omar, then in seventh grade, embarked on her usual journey from the Mararani villages to Kiunga Primary School in Lamu County. Little did she know that this ordinary commute in search of education would forever alter the course of her life.

Mumina and her fellow pupils were en route to school when tragedy struck along Mararani to Kiunga road. Their vehicle unwittingly triggered a landmine planted by a militia group, resulting in a deafening explosion and a fiery inferno. Mumina vividly recalls the horrifying moment, “the only thing I remember is a big loud explosion followed by fire.”

Trapped in the Boni forest, their remote location delayed rescue efforts until late into the night, leaving four of her fellow pupils dead. However, Mumina was not rescued then, for the impact of the explosion catapulted her far from her peers. She spent a harrowing night alone in the forest, consumed by pain and fear, eventually lapsing into unconsciousness.

It wasn’t until 11:00 a.m. the following day that Mumina was discovered during a renewed search mission prompted by her family’s frantic report of her disappearance and rushed to Agha Khan Hospital in Mombasa. After two weeks, her condition failed to improve, and she was subsequently transferred to Kijabe Mission Hospital in Nairobi. Tragically, the extent of her injuries necessitated the amputation of one of her legs three months later.

Mumina showcasing her tailoring skills during a National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) assessment.

The loss of her leg had profound repercussions, affecting not only her education, dreams, and self-esteem but also her family resources. Yet, Mumina’s indomitable spirit prevailed. With the help of an artificial leg supported by a good samaritan, she returned to school in 2019, persevering through bouts of excruciating pain to complete her education up to form four.

After completing her secondary education, her pains anchored her within the walls of their home, where she dutifully assisted her parents with minor tasks, her aspirations for a brighter future seemingly constrained by her condition. In a twist of fate, Mumina’s path crossed with Ujuzi Manyattani in 2023, a program dedicated to empowering young men and women in marginalized communities through the support of the USAID Local Works program. The NRT Trading Coast regional Ujuzi Manyattani Coordinator encouraged her to enroll in the program, and that’s when she embarked on a three-month training in tailoring & dressmaking course. Despite her fears and doubts, through sheer determination and the unwavering support of her parents, trainer, and fellow trainees, Mumina learned to sew a wide array of clothes.

Today, as you observe Mumina gracefully operating a sewing machine pedal, you might mistake her for any other trainee in the class. But her story sets her apart. She uses just one leg to master the art of tailoring. This remarkable feat was born out of necessity, a necessity that arose from a fateful day in 2017.

Behind Mumina’s radiant smile and confidence at the sewing machine lies a heartbreaking journey transformed by newfound life skills. She defiantly declares that the militia groups may have robbed her of one of her legs, but they never robbed her of her destiny. Today, we celebrate Mumina Omar as she graduates and is issued with the startup tool kits through the support of the USAID Local Works Program alongside the other 30 trainees from Kiunga Community Conservancy.

Mumina’s story embodies the human spirit’s ability to rise above even the most daunting challenges of terrorism. It serves as an inspiring reminder that determination can conquer adversity and dreams can endure despite the darkest of days. Ujuzi Manyattani is a beacon of hope that empowers individuals like Mumina by imparting a diverse range of vocational skills, from vessel repair, mobile phone repair, catering, masonry, electrical installation to hairdressing and beauty therapy, and motorbike repair and maintenance in eight Counties of northern and Coastal Kenya.  

Mumina receiving her certificate during the Ujuzi Manyattani graduation held on 31/10/2023 in Kiunga Community Conservancy, Lamu County in Kenya.

To date, 1,102 young women and men have graduated with vocational skills training and have been issued startup tool kits to help them earn an income and secure their livelihoods. The graduates of Ujuzi Manyattani inject over KES 60 million annually into the local economy through income earned, as per an impact survey conducted in January 2023. The survey further reveals that at least 88% of our graduates embarked on self-employment through setting up their businesses.

Breaking Tradition: Mary Leleruk’s Poultry Revolution

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Mary Leleruk is a Maasai woman who lives in the heart of Naibunga Lower Community Conservancy in Laikipia County. She has been practicing beading for many years and has been training others in the art as well. In Maasai culture, beading has always been integral to women’s daily life. However, chicken rearing was traditionally considered an enterprise of low value compared to larger stock such as cattle and was thus overlooked. Mary, too, did not prioritize it in her homestead.

However, a transformative opportunity emerged in 2021 through the support of USAID Local Works and the Ufugaji Bora Mashinani program recognized the potential of poultry production training targeting sixty women and youth.  This aimed to introduce poultry training to change their perception towards chickens and to provide them with skills and opportunities to increase their household income. Additionally, it aimed to diversify livestock value chains.

Mary planting kales (sukumawiki) in her garden using poultry manure.

Selected among sixty women through the Ufugaji Bora Mashinani program, Mary delved into intensive training. This changed her perception of poultry rearing. She absorbed knowledge on building poultry houses, safeguarding against diseases, and crafting nutritious feeds from local resources. Maggots, rich in protein, became a staple ingredient sourced from cow dung.

Armed with newfound knowledge, Mary erected a modern chicken house and welcomed ten improved Kienyeji chickens. The once un-valued chicken now yields a steady supply of protein-packed eggs, nourishing her family. Chicken manure, once disregarded, breathed life into a thriving kitchen garden, yielding vibrant greens and vital iron.

Mary, showing off her freshly harvested tomatoes from her kitchen garden.

Oldonyiro town became the stage for Mary’s entrepreneurial spirit. Her eggs and fresh vegetables, coveted for their quality, command a premium, fetching Ksh. 600 per sale. With her earnings, she paves the way for her children’s education and secures essential household provisions.

In Mary’s eyes, chickens are no longer mere birds but vital contributors to her family’s well-being. Her voice resounds with conviction, urging other women to embrace poultry farming, recognizing its power to fortify diets and alleviate financial burdens.

“As a Maasai, I never understood the value of chickens in our homesteads. Now, if anyone tries to dissuade me, I’d consider them my adversary. These birds have revolutionized my family’s nutrition. They’ve lightened the load of school fees for my husband and me,” Mary declares.

Poultry farming, she learned, is a beacon of stability, less vulnerable to nature’s effects compared to traditional herding. Mary Leleruk dared to step beyond convention, melding her beadwork expertise with a newfound poultry passion. In doing so, she elevated her family’s fortunes and forged a path to self-reliance.

Balancing Chalk and Coins: The Teacher-Entrepreneur’s Journey with Biashara Mashinani

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Biashara Mashinani develops the capacity of men and women at the grassroots to start and manage enterprises to diversify household income and increase economic resilience.

Through the Rangelands SACCO, a community-owned and membership-driven financial organization, financial inclusion is promoted by giving members access to various tailor-made financial services, including savings accounts, affordable loans, business coaching, and investment opportunities.

Over the last six years, the Rangelands SACCO has disbursed over 200 million shillings in loans to its members. Among the 3,594 women beneficiaries is Tunu Farhiya Choya, a resident of Karare, Songa Conservancy in Marsabit County, whose life has been significantly changed.

As an employed Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) teacher at Karare Primary School, schoolwork typically ends early, and she hardly found constructive tasks to keep her busy for the rest of the day. In 2020, the world was hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, and due to school closures, Tunu was confined to her home idle, besides house duties.

Adding to her woes was a series of salary delays that left her in a tight financial spot. As a widow with two children, this was incredibly challenging. As the months passed and her bills piled up, she realized that depending solely on her job was no longer sustainable. Frustrated by the uncertainty of when her next paycheck would arrive, she decided to take matters into her own hands, turning her free time into income.

In September, the 42-year-old rented and stocked a retail shop at the Karare market center with her savings of 15,000 shillings. The reduced competition triggered the idea, but most importantly, to offer access to necessities to the residents. Before a return to normalcy, she dedicated her full attention to her business, intending to earn extra income to care for her family. On school days, her cousin runs the store during the day, while she takes over in the afternoon after school.

In 2021, Tunu learned of the NRT Trading Biashara Mashinani program through the conservancy management. Tunu eagerly seized this opportunity and embarked on a three-day intensive entrepreneurship and financial literacy training on business planning. With unwavering determination, she incorporated the knowledge from this training into her retail business and was inspired to join Sacco to start saving. Her dedication paid off as, after disciplined savings with Rangelands SACCO, Tunu became eligible for her first loan of 25,000 shillings.

This loan came at a crucial juncture, as a prolonged drought devastated the region, leading to a dire shortage of rainfall, which greatly affected the livelihoods of the indigenous people in northern Kenya. Before the SACCO’s intervention, Tunu, like many others in her community, had grappled with a sense of hopelessness. However, she used the loan wisely, allocating funds towards her children’s school fees, investing in her business, and securing a portion for savings.

Tunu expresses her gratitude, “Being a member of the Sacco has helped me a lot despite having come from a drought season whereby I experienced highs and lows. I have used the money to stock my shop with household commodities, foods, and cereals. I look forward to receiving more loans to expand my business.”

Tunu happily serves a customer at her shop.

Today, Tunu runs her shop with a positive outlook, aiming to achieve daily profitability. On her best days, she garners up to 3,000 shillings; on others, she still manages to earn at least 500 on a bad day.

She acknowledges NRT Trading for nurturing her entrepreneurial skills and fostering her financial growth, enabling her to run a thriving business that sustains her family and contributes to the betterment of her community.