Many hands make light work
Members of Musoi Women’s Group discussing a point during their meeting last month. Photo/JENNIFER MUIRURI
One vehicle Kenyan women have used effectively to better their lives is the self-help group, popularly known as “chama”.
A case in point is the humble Musoi Women’s Group in Ongata Rongai. Founded about 16 years ago, it has in the past seven years run an informal co-operative society that has transformed members’ lives by giving them loans, with only their shares as collateral.
The money-lending venture, which runs alongside a “merry-go-round”, is based on mutual trust, says Phyllis Lepapa, a mother of five who has been a member for the past 12 years. She explains that the idea to offer loans was borne out of a need.
“We realised that it was not useful for a member to await their turn to receive the Sh8,000 we were contributing for the merry-go-round because by then her children would have been sent home from school, or she would have accumulated huge debts. The idea to start lending members money was well-thought-out and sustainable,” explains Lepapa, one of the group’s three secretaries.
The members visit each other’s home on a rotational basis for their monthly meetings, during which the host gets the merry-go-round money as those with loans repay them.
Access to easy loans
A retired teacher, Lepapa says she has relied on the group to supplement her income, which has enabled her to educate her children. “It is difficult to survive on one source of income these days with the high cost of living.
With access to quick and easy loans from the group, I have been able to see my children through school,” she explains.
“Almost all of us have sent our children to school through this project,” interjects Grace Waniu Karathe, the group’s chairperson, adding that her six children, all of whom acquired post-secondary education thanks to the group, are now independent.
“I only went up to Standard Four and would never have educated them without this group,” she remarks.
Over the years, Karathe has used loans from the group to build rental houses in Ongata Rongai.
“Rent from the houses has enabled me to build a stable financial base and support my family,” explains the 63 year-old woman.
Indeed, more than half the group’s members have rental houses because perennial lack of water in the township makes it difficult for them to take practice, say agriculture.
Besides, a sudden influx of immigrants to the town has seen demand for rental houses go up. A single-room corrugated iron sheet structure goes for Sh2,000.
Given that it costs about Sh7,500 to construct, one begins reaping the benefits after a short time.
“For instance, a member can take a Sh30,000 loan at 10 per cent interest and put up four rooms. With this, you find that she can clear the loan and take others by the end of the year,” explains Regina Ndunge Njenga, another member.
Some members, like Mary Njoki Murani, another of the secretaries, have invested in dairy cattle. Using loans from the group, Murani bought three dairy cows at a cost of Sh26,000 each. She now sells milk in the township and is earning good money.
“Each cow produces five litres of milk daily, earning me Sh7,000 a month,” offers the mother of five. Murani, 51, did not go beyond primary school, but thanks to the group, she has been able to improve herself financial situation.
Rose Manga Njoroge, 31, is the group’s youngest member. The single mother of two, a second-hand shoes distributor at Nairobi’s Gikomba market, says loans from the group have enabled her to expand her business.
“The group offers a better option than banks because we can get the loans easily —without rigorous paper work — and with a flexible repayment arrangement,” she explains.
The income from her business, has enabled her to support her family.
“As a single mother, I have to be money-smart because my children’s future depends on how mucg I have saved for their education. That is the only way to grow,” she says.
By the end of the year, the group’s finances are usually substantial, allowing members a to borrow up to Sh300,000.
But apart from financial support, the group gives members a forum to discuss politics, social issues and religion.
“For the time we’ve been together, we’ve bonded like a family. And the bond is so strong that when an old member is leaving, she introduces her daughter or granddaughter to the group. That is how we have managed to operate without having to struggle with defaulters,” explains Miriam Wambui Musoi, the oldest member of the group, who acts as their adviser.
Whenever a member is faced with a challenge or a family situation, trust her and she will counsel and advise her how to go about it, says Murani. Musoi, a 90 year-old widowed grandmother, is well-groomed and looks good for her age, thanks to the satisfaction she gets from her participation in the Sacco.
“When I mingle with these women, who are like my children and grandchildren, I feel young. And I cannot quit when I can still develop my business for the remaining years God has given me,” she says.
Musoi, a founder member of the group, owns several corrugated ironsheet houses in the township, where she brought up her nine children, all of whom are now independent.
Welfare association
The group also runs a welfare association, with members participating in each other’s functions such as weddings, children’s graduation, bride price payment and funerals.
“We realise that no one can make it alone. And that is why we came together to give each other moral, financial and material support,” explains Digna Tarimo Marai.
Of the group’s 20 members, seven have only basic or no formal education. Lepapa, a former adult education teacher, has drawn up adult-tailored lessons for them, including writing a book. The class meets two hours before the group’s formal meetings start, and she takes them through reading and writing lessons.
“I realised that members were asking many questions about HIV/Aids, their environment, parenting and constituencies. That is why I came up with this book for them; we have been using it for the past three months,” she explains.
Although the book is still in manuscript form, “It is at least available for reference,” she adds.
And looking at the these women, one cannot fail to see that they are a deriving satisfaction from their efforts. So as the world prepares to celebrate International Women’s Day next Monday, it is worth recognising their efforts.
