Resilience in Adversity: Dorcus Mbithe’s Empowerment Journey Through Community Support and Livelihood Initiatives
Dorcus Mbithe Kitheka aged 47years has a physical disability and is married to Kitheka Katunga and they have 4 children (1 boy and 3 girls). Dorcus with her family live in Kisesini village of Kyua Location, Machakos County. She is a member of the Wendano wa Kyua Special group that is an affiliate of the Kyumbuke Community based Organization. The group was formed in 2017 and has 46 members. In 2014, Dorcus was involved in a road accident that led to severe injuries on her right leg that could not be solved even after undergoing several surgeries for correction. As a result, the medical bills affected her family finances as they had to sell their assets and the husband had to leave his casual job in the city to take care of the family.
When ADSE started implementing the Livelihood Improvement Project in Kyua location in 2017, they assisted in formation of the Kyumbuke CBO and linked the Wendano wa Kyua Special group with the National Council of Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) who helped in creating awareness to the Persons with disability and community members on the importance of involving all community members in matters community development.
Dorcas narrates, “Most persons with disabilities were less involved when it came to development in the community as they were termed invaluable. ADSE provided a platform where we would meet and offer support to each other during the difficult times and now we are a family. Each group member was supported with a female galla goat to provide nutritive milk and even earn income upon reproduction. Galla goats adapt well in Arid and Semi-Arid areas, are less prone to diseases and are friendly to take care of. From the goat we were supported with, I was able to sell 3 goats where I earned an income of Kshs. 18,000. From the money received, I was able to construct a shop where I started a food selling business whose target was construction workers in the neighborhood. From the business, in a good day, I go home with Kshs. 700 profits with average weekly earnings of 4,200 that I supported my husband start a wood carving business.”
Through the linkages, the Ministry of Agriculture supported group with improved chicks where each member received 24 chicks. From the trainings on poultry management, Dorcus sold both chicken and eggs where a crate of eggs goes for Kshs.380. The group was also trained on non-Agricultural income generating activities and from it she makes beadwork such as keyholders that she sells to earn income.
“My husband and I are almost getting back to our feet as we can take care of our family needs as we pay school fees for our children and we thank ADSE for changing our lives through organizing us into the support group, linking us with different opportunities and the trainings which have impacted positively in our lives” a smiley Dorcus says.