This Field Note is the story of resilience and a remarkable group of women business owners in Homa Bay, Kenya, who have come together to rebuild, demonstrating resilience and unity in the face of adversity.
These women, part of the Nyalkinyi women’s group, were participants in the Business for Better Society and Activate Action microbusiness incubator—a program funded by a RSA Catalyst Scale-Up Grant that launched in 2023. Through this incubator, 35 women successfully started businesses ranging from small-scale farming and tailoring to selling homemade snacks, all deeply rooted in the local economy. With ongoing coaching support, they were working to navigate the unique challenges and seize the opportunities that arise in their community.
But 2024 brought unprecedented challenges to these women, as devastating floods swept through their community, destroying livelihoods and washing away dreams. Small-scale farming operations, the backbone of many local businesses, were particularly hard hit. Yet, in the face of this adversity, these remarkable women chose not to be defeated, but to unite and rebuild.
From Adversity to Opportunity
Today, the Nyalkinyi women stand as a beacon of hope and resilience by coming together and pooling their resources. Now officially registered as a women’s group with the government and boasting 45 members, they have diversified their economic activities, embracing a range of promising ventures:
– Vegetable Farming: Revitalizing their agricultural roots
– Fish Selling: Tapping into the local demand for fresh seafood
– Poultry Keeping: Expanding into a new and promising sector
Their collective spirit extends beyond business operations. Through pooled savings, the group has acquired 34 plastic chairs, a seemingly simple asset that serves a dual purpose. These chairs not only generate additional income through rentals but also support their innovative table banking initiative.
Table Banking: A Foundation for Growth
The table banking initiative exemplifies the group’s commitment to mutual support and financial empowerment. This system allows members to:
– Pool their savings
– Access loans from a shared fund
– Support each other’s economic ventures
– Improve household financial management
This grassroots approach to finance has proven instrumental in fostering economic resilience and community bonds.
Looking to the Future
As the Nyalkinyi women’s group continues to grow and thrive, they have identified key areas for expansion:
1. Water pump for farmers to enhance irrigation capabilities
2. Cooling and storage facility for fish sellers to preserve their product
3. Proper housing for poultry farmers to improve bird health and productivity
The community’s support for these women is evident, with a generous member already offering land for the poultry housing project.
A Growing Movement
What began as a response to disaster has blossomed into a powerful movement of women supporting women. From its original core of flood-affected participants, the group has now expanded to include 45 members, each bringing their own strengths and aspirations to the collective.
The Nyalkinyi women’s story is more than just a tale of recovery – it’s a testament to the power of community, resilience, and the indomitable spirit of women facing adversity. As they continue to grow and inspire, these women are not just rebuilding businesses; they’re constructing a brighter, more resilient future for their entire community.
At BBS we have started fundraising for the next cohort of the women’s incubator. If you wish to support our microbusiness incubator please click here. With donation levels starting at $10, all funds raised will go towards the start up grants for the next cohort of 10 women who will take the program in 2025.
