For Nakuru widows, life is a positive tapestry

After losing their spouses and relatives to HIV and Aids, a  group of widows in Nakuru has defied the odds and launched a successful beadwork business in the town’s Kaptembwa estate.

Members of the group, which started as a “widows living with Aids chama”, are now able to pay school fees for their children, house rent and other daily needs by making necklaces, bracelets, table mats and earrings.

Baraka Upendo Women’s Group was started in 2006 and now has 20 widows living with HIV and Aids. “We came together as people suffering from the same disease. That way, we fought off social stigma and shared financial ideas on how to empower ourselves”, says Mary Atieno, the group’s chairperson.

The group also launched an education drive, visiting churches and local functions to raise awareness on HIV and Aids, as well as collecting trash in the estates.

“Many people still have a negative attitude towards people living with HIV and Aids. So we formed a group where we could encourage ourselves to rise above the social stigma and educate the youth,” says Atieno.

RECYCLED MATERIALS

Efforts to clean up the environment bore fruit, after they discovered they could recycle some materials and make necklaces, table mats, bags and knitted clothes.

“We get lots of recyclable materials like polythene bags, calendars and papers. We decided that re-using them was a cheaper way of starting a small business where we could generate some income”, Atieno told Money.

Through active table banking, the group kicked off their business, which helps them put food on the table for their families and cater for other basic needs.

“We started by contributing Sh20 each, but increased this with time so as to expand the businesses. We now contribute Sh250 every month”, she said.

In a good month, each member earns up to Sh6,000 from the final products, which they make three times a week.

To market their artefacts, the members usually attend agricultural shows and other public fairs in the county. This has boosted their sales from Sh2,000 a month per member three years ago.

The group sells their bracelets, beads and necklaces at Sh100 to Sh600, while beaded handbags go for Sh300 to Sh700.

Through their savings, the group members recently started making soap, which they supply to local customers, hotels and supermarkets.

Most of the time, they get orders for liquid soap from supermarkets and hotels. On a good day, they sell up to 20 litres. The soap goes for Sh60 a litre.

During the past eight years, the group’s main goal has been to live a happy, fulfilled life, says Anyango, “earning a living from our sweat. There’s nothing as bad as having to seek alms from wellwishers; we want to keep ourselves busy”, she adds.

EXTRA MATERIALS

The group has lost some members through the years to the disease, but a positive attitude to work has helped the members cope with the loss and even support families of departed colleagues.

“With the kind of disease we suffer from, death is a constant companion. This has strengthened our bond,” says Mary Anyango, a group member.

However, sourcing for extra materials to make beaded bags and liquid soap, as well as competition in the market, hamper the women’s progress.

With time, they hope to export their unique products.

“As much as we try to cut down costs by using recycled materials, we also have to clean and paint the materials. And this is expensive,” Atieno says.