Annah (Kola) – We are excited to welcome new Regional Program Manager Annah, who was elected by the members of Kola Cluster. While two groups left during the gap of leadership, two new groups have joined the program, and Annah reports they are doing well. However, “Women are struggling with their targets. Working as daily casual laborers as a group and getting pay equally for each member.” Last month, their community service was visiting widowers.

Monicah (Tulimani) – In February, late rains were too heavy, actually damaging bean crops for some groups. Training has continued now for the whole cluster in new tie-dye techniques. Two older groups graduated in January and are deciding if they will continue with another project. 

Sue (Makueni) – Sue has added one new group to this cluster, and they just had an election for their leaders. All members have been busy and productive, as it is that time of year, but they will do training again next month. She says, “Thank God for the rains: members have a good harvest and tanks!” 

Agnes (Yandue) – The new cluster added two new groups in January and three more in March, so they have a total of 9 groups of over 200 members! They continue their training with Agnes in “kitchen garden farming technologies using plastic materials which can last for over ten years.” While new to PFP, they have already been working hard together. For example, Kavaa Women’s Group has saved for two years to buy sewing machines, and they have just now opened a shop to make uniforms as their income generating activity.

Agnes (Mbooni) – Mbooni hosted the most recent Work Team and ended the trip with a closing ceremony and marketplace of over 650 PFP members! Agnes provided a lot of training for the 19 groups of Mbooni and was exceptionally organized and hospitable for their guests. 

Sue (Kisau) – Four groups recently graduated from this older cluster, with three of them electing to stay on and work on a fourth project together. This mentorship role of ongoing members is pivotal to our program. 

Beatrice (Kibwezi) – Even Beatrice can now report that it is not dry like it has been the last several seasons. Since this cluster only bought two tanks last year, she is currently training them to start paying their group targets earlier this year.

Regina (Malili A & B) – The two clusters worked together in preparing for the Work Team Marketplace and in their community service to a member who lost her mother. Unfortunately, she says many members didn’t harvest, or they harvested little, and will need to buy food in this upcoming season. They are being advised to not sell the little they harvested but save it to feed the family. 

Susan (Kilome) – We celebrate with Kwambeu, one of our oldest groups that just graduated in February. They were highlighted in the 2021 Harambee video – renting a bean field together as young women to advising government officials on dam building in their elder years. Members from Kilome worked hard to go to Mbooni to join the celebration and market, selling chicks to pay their bus fare.