Resilience in Action: Transforming Lives in Kitui

For over a decade, Patricia Mwikali Malyunga of Uiini village in Kitui County carried the heavy burden ofraising nine children alone after her husband abandoned the family. Erratic rainfall, poor yields, and highchick mortality left her struggling to provide even one daily meal for her children, while school absenteeismbecame the norm due to unpaid levies.

When she joined Sama Wiwe Self-Help Group (SHG)formed with ADSE’s support and was trained on climate smart agriculture, village savings and loans, andimproved farming practices, she adopted new seedvarieties, soil conservation techniques, and better postharvest handling. With a KES 4,000 VSLA loan, sheinvested in improved cowpeas and green grams,harvesting 608 kg and 398 kg respectively—far aboveher previous yields. Selling part of her harvest earned herover KES 61,000, which she used to pay school leviesand invest in Galla goats that now provide milk andmanure.

“By planting improved green gram and cowpea seeds, my harvest increased to 608 kilograms and 398 kilograms, respectively. From the sales, I earned over KES 61,000, which enabled me to pay my children’s school fees and buy Galla goats. This was a big change compared to before, when my harvests could barely last three months,” a happy Patricia narrates.

Today, Patricia can meet household needs, her children are healthier and happier, and her dream is to expand into poultry farming to further boost her income. Her story demonstrates the power of resilience, knowledge, and collective action in transforming vulnerable households into thriving families.