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Umisiiyu Women Group — Kibwezi Community Project
Vegetable farming, kitchen gardens and shared livelihoods with a women's group in Kibwezi, Makueni County.
A women's farming group with a long record of welcoming volunteers shares its knowledge of growing food in a dry climate.
About this programme
To support food security, household nutrition and sustainable smallholder farming incomes for the Umisiiyu women in Kibwezi.
The Umisiiyu Women Group is based in Kibwezi, in Makueni County in eastern Kenya, and its members farm together. According to the group's own history, it began in 2015, after a long drought and the end of charcoal burning, which had been a main source of family income, left many households looking for new ways to earn.
ABWA's role is to support the group's farming and to welcome volunteers who want to learn from the women's experience.
What this programme sets out to do
Clear, participatory priorities established together with community partners and local groups.
Support food security and healthier family diets in semi-arid Kibwezi.
Improve smallholder farm incomes and drought-resilient vegetable production.
Help the group make sustainable, careful use of local water sources.
Strengthen group savings, mutual support and women's leadership.
Projects and activities on the ground
Practical, collaborative activities led alongside local residents, schools, youth and women's groups.
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Vegetable farming and kitchen gardens
- Selecting vegetables that suit the local climate
- Preparing land and timing manure and fertiliser
- Managing pests and diseases together
- Watering and using local water sources wisely
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Empowerment and cultural exchange
- Leadership, financial decisions, access to health information and the freedom to make your own choices
- Akamba crafts, drumming, storytelling, hill walks and shared cooking.
Moments from our Umisiiyu Women Group — Kibwezi Community Project work
Everyday moments of learning, collaboration and community life shared with dignity and consent.
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What we hope to achieve
These intended outcomes reflect our goals and working commitments. In keeping with our accountability principles, we do not present future aims as verified past metrics.
Young Mothers and Women's Empowerment Programme
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View connected projectOur Impact & M&E Framework
Learn how ABWA plans projects, conducts monitoring and evaluation, and ensures community handover.
Read our impact framework.jpeg&w=3840&q=75)
Want to get involved?
Whether you would like to volunteer on this programme, partner with our teams, or support community activities, we would be glad to talk.