Miriam at her Grocery Shop that she started after joining Miangeni VSLA Group

In Miangeni Village, Kiu Sub-location, Makindu, lives 30-year-old Miriam Mutua, a determined farmer and mother of four; two boys and a set of twin girls, between 8-years and 3-years. Like many in Makueni County, Miriam, a house-wife by then, relied on small-scale farming, but the unpredictable rainfall made it difficult for her to get yield enough to feed her family of Six.

Her turning point came in May 2024, when she attended a Fadhili Trust mobilization meeting in her area. The discussions on financial empowerment and group savings inspired her to take a bold step. Together with other community members, in June 2025, she formed Miangeni Village Savings and Loaning Association (VSLA) group. With guidance from a Fadhili Trust officer, members were trained on savings, lending, establishing and managing small businesses.

Miriam took her first loan of Kshs. 3,000, which she used to start a roadside grocery stall. The stall gained rapid popularity among locals, increasing her sales and allowing her to repay her loan within four weeks. Encouraged by her success, she later borrowed Kshs. 8,000 to assist her expand her business.

“Before joining the VSLA, I often struggled to provide for my family and had nowhere to turn to when I needed money except my already overwhelmed husband. Through the group, I’ve learned how to save and access small loans to grow my business. The trainings have opened my eyes, I now know how to plan, budget, and make wise financial decisions,” says the bubbly Miriam.

At the time, Miriam had also taken in her late sister’s son and was struggling to pay school fees. The growing profits from her business made it possible to support all the children’s education and meet her household needs comfortably.

In June 2025, when Miangeni VSLA group completed its first savings cycle, Miriam received a share-out of Ksh. 12,000, a clear reward for her discipline and hard work. She now plans to use the share-out to build a permanent shop to expand and diversify her grocery stall into a larger and more profitable business.

Miriam interrupts, “The support from other women keeps me going; we encourage one another like family. Even when the rains fail or business is slow, our savings help us stay strong. I’ve managed to pay school fees, expand my vegetable stall, and even take part in community training sessions that have improved my farming skills.”

Miriam joyfully credits God and the Fadhili Trust program for opening a new chapter in her life. Her journey from uncertainty to self-reliance demonstrates how community savings groups can transform livelihoods and empower families toward a more secure future. All these has been made possible by support from our partners Canadian Food Grains Bank (CFGB) and Tearfund Canada under Climate Smart Food Security Project.

“Most importantly, I now have a stronger voice in my home and in the group. My husband and I make financial decisions together, and I feel more confident about the future. The VSLA has truly changed how I think, plan, and live my day-to-day life,” adds Miriam as she smiles brightly, radiating contentment and hope of the current and future life.

Anna happily storing her harvested sorghum, maize, green grams and cowpeas in her granary

In the heart of Boma-4 Village in Kiu Sub-location- Makindu Ward, Makueni County, lives Anna Mutunga, a farmer whose story mirrors the transformation that Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) brings to semi-arid communities.

For years, Anna depended on planting hybrid maize, an expensive crop that demanded costly inputs and yielded little in the face of prolonged drought and erratic rainfall. The hard work rarely paid off, and feeding her family became a constant struggle. Everything began to change when Anna joined Smart Farmers Village Savings and Lending Association (VSLA) group supported by Fadhili Trust. Through CSA training, she learned how to make farming more productive, sustainable, and less dependent on the unpredictable weather.

“My granary was once filled with old, broken household items. Today, it stores my farm harvest including greengrams, maize, cowpeas and sorghum, enough proof that change is possible,” she says with pride, showing her neatly stored grains, crops she learned to grow and preserve through CSA practices.

Thriving with a Kitchen Garden

To reduce the cost of buying vegetables, Anna established a 5m × 2m size kitchen garden, producing around Four kilograms of vegetables weekly. Using recycled gray water, organic compost, and mulching, she now grows a variety of organic vegetables even during the dry season.

Prior to establishing a kitchen garden, Anna would spend approximately Kshs.100 per day on average on vegetables for a family of 5-members, making it Kshs.700 per week. She now saves the Kshs.700 that she would have used to buy vegetables and diverts it to her VSLA group, helping her build resilience and financial security. With the success of her garden, she plans to expand production and sell vegetables to neighbors, turning her backyard into a small agribusiness.

Chicken Rearing for Food and Income

Anna also ventured into chicken rearing, keeping 25 layers and 2 cocks. Her flock produces an average of 13 eggs a day, earning her about Ksh 2,700 monthly from sales, while still keeping enough for family consumption.

She practices organic poultry management, using herbal remedies like neem and pawpaw leaves instead of antibiotics and formulates local feeds from sorghum and greens. The chicken manure enriches her kitchen garden, closing the loop in a sustainable farming system.

Building Resilience through Climate-Smart Practices

Anna’s homestead today stands as a model of climate resilience and innovation. Around her compound, nothing goes to waste. She carefully composts kitchen scraps and chicken manure to enrich her soil, turning everyday waste into valuable fertilizer. A 1,000-litre tank collects rainwater from her rooftop, ensuring she has water to irrigate her garden even during dry spells. She has also embraced agroforestry, planting ten Moringa trees and other fodder trees that improve soil health and provide shade for her livestock. In her garden, Anna alternates leafy vegetables with legumes to conserve moisture and restore soil fertility. Though she still faces challenges such as limited water during the dry months and occasional poultry diseases, Anna remains hopeful and determined — a living example of how resilience can flourish even in harsh conditions.

A Brighter Tomorrow

Through support from Fadhili Trust with support from TearFund Canada and Canadian Food Grain Bank (CFGB), Anna has transformed her small farm into a hub of innovation and learning. Her journey from dependency to self-reliance demonstrates how climate-smart farming and community savings can empower rural families to thrive even in challenging environments.

“I now grow my food, sell the surplus, and save every month, my life has changed for the better,” says Anna with a beaming smile.

After losing her job during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, Mercy Nkirote spent several years as a housewife, feeling isolated and financially dependent on her husband. Her life took a new turn in January 2025 when a friend encouraged her to join the Kyeni Kya Ngumbe Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) group in Kibwezi.

Through the group, Mercy gained not only financial support but also social connection. With a small loan, she started a car wash business, investing in building materials, a car washing machine, and even creating employment for a young man. Alongside this venture, she has grown her flock of ducks from five to fifteen.

Now financially independent, Mercy contributes meaningfully to her household expenses, easing the burden on her husband and boosting her own confidence. Looking ahead, she plans to expand her business by setting up a fast-food joint next to her car wash.

Mercy encourages other women and men not to remain idle, but to seize every opportunity, no matter how small, as a stepping stone toward growth and independence.

In Kalungu Village, Kalungu Sub-location in Kibwezi location of Makueni County where water shortage and harsh weather make farming difficult, Margaret Kimote has embraced simple, sustainable solutions to transform her life. For years, she depended on the Kibwezi market for vegetables, making two trips every week and spending nearly KSh 400 per week on transport—a heavy burden, especially with her frail leg.

Today, Margaret no longer needs to buy vegetables. Her flourishing kitchen garden provides her family with fresh, healthy produce at home. With the money she saved from market trips and vegetable purchases, she invested in buying chicken layers from which she collects about two crates of eggs, which she sells for extra income.

Margaret has also ventured into azolla farming, using azolla as a cost-effective and nutritious alternative feed for her chickens—reducing expenses while keeping her flock productive.

She proudly acknowledges that much of this knowledge came through her Village Savings and Lending Association (VSLA) group, where she learned about innovative practices like making briquettes, biochar and energy-saving stove—technologies she now uses in her home to save costs and conserve the environment. Margaret’s story is proof that small, smart innovations can create big changes in people’s lives.

At just 20 years old, Brenda Kwamboka is a fourth-year student at Moi University, pursuing a degree in Civil Aviation Management—a dream that once seemed far out of reach.

Brenda is the first-born in a family of three. She was raised by a hardworking mother who took on casual jobs—washing clothes, digging, planting—just to put food on the table. Her father offered little support and was strongly opposed to investing in the girls’ education. When Brenda sat her Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) exams and scored 329 marks out of the possible 500 marks, she was called to Enomatasiani Girls. But the excitement was short-lived as there was no money, and no encouragement from home.

In 2018, when she was about to join Form 1, Brenda learned about Fadhili Trust through her aunt. That connection changed everything. Fadhili Trust stepped in, covering school fees, transport, shopping, and even rent during critical times. With this support, Brenda completed high school with a B plain in Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE), and earned a place at Moi University.

Fadhili Trust didn’t stop there. They continue to pay her university tuition and accommodation. Without this intervention, Brenda admits, “I’d probably still be hopelessly at home. My father didn’t see value in girls’ education.”

The support has also lifted the burden for one of her siblings. Her 18-year-old sister is now pursuing Emergency Medical Training at Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) under Fadhili Trust sponsorship, and her younger brother, currently in Grade 5, is being supported by a private school due to his strong academic performance.

Brenda has faced many challenges, including a 25 km walk with her mother to seek sponsorship. But those sacrifices continue to fuel her ambition. She dreams of working at an international airport, not just to achieve personal success, but to uplift her family, especially her mother, who has given so much for their future.

Her greatest motivation is giving back. She says, “There is always hope. I want to support other children like me, those with dreams but no means. And I’ll start with my little brother. My mother deserves to rest.”

Eunice Kamene can now enjoy her smile as she enjoys her healing journey. Thanks to the collaboration of churches that’s been made possible by Fadhili Trust’s CCT Program

The Church is becoming salt and light in communities across Makueni County. Through Fadhili Trust’s Church and Community Transformation (CCT) trainings focused on mindset change, relationship building, and holistic ministry, churches are emerging as true beacons of hope. Their acts of mercy, kindness, and love are restoring dignity to the most vulnerable, and many families are now seeing the Church as a reliable source of support, compassion, and care.

One such story is that of Eunice Kamene, a 39-year-old mother of one from Kavete Village. Her life has been transformed through the intervention of a CCT-trained church, Redeemed Gospel Church (RGC) Vambani.

A Journey Marked by Struggle

Eunice was married in 2011 and lived in Mutituni, Machakos. Her marriage began to break down when her husband became irresponsible around the time their daughter, Mirriam Mwende, joined high school. Over time, he became abusive and neglected his responsibilities, even failing to provide food or school fees.

With no support and a daughter to raise, Eunice left her matrimonial home and sought work in Mlolongo, Nairobi. Life in the city was harsh. She survived by doing casual labour—washing clothes, cultivating farms, and carrying goods. Despite her efforts, she could barely make enough for rent, food, or school fees.

A Health Crisis and a Cry for Help

Due to strenuous work, poor diet, and lack of medical care, Eunice’s health deteriorated. She began experiencing serious side effects, including loss of sight and hearing. Her father-in-law informed her mother about her worsening condition. At the time, her husband had followed her to Mlolongo but still offered no support.

In late 2024, Eunice was gravely ill. Her mother couldn’t afford transport to visit her, but the village elder stepped in and informed RGC Vambani. The church organized a fellowship and invited St. Simon Kiimani Catholic Church, Authentic Reconciliation Church (ARC), and Gospel Furthering Fellowship (GFF) Church to visit Eunice’s mother. Upon learning about the situation, they mobilized their congregations and raised KSh 11,000. This money was used to bring Eunice back home and provide food for the family.

Eunice was admitted to Makindu General Hospital, where she was diagnosed with cerebral malaria, which had affected her memory, vision, and hearing. The church continued supporting her with medical care and daily needs.

Recovery and Restoration

Thanks to treatment and ongoing support, Eunice is now in the recovery stage. Her sight and hearing have returned, and she is slowly regaining her memory. Encouraged by the love and fellowship shown to her, she has now joined Redeemed Gospel Church Vambani, while her mother, a former member of ARC Church, has resumed attending services.

Eunice’s mother expressed deep gratitude for her daughter’s healing and for the overwhelming support from the church and community. She is determined that Eunice will not return to the abusive marriage. The church is also offering counseling to help her heal emotionally.

A New Chapter for the Family

Even as Eunice recovers, the family’s journey continues. Her daughter Mirriam, who scored a B- in her national exams, is ready to join university. The church is currently mobilizing resources from both members and the community to support her education.

This story is just one example of how the CCT program is equipping churches to restore hope, rebuild families, and reflect Christ’s love in real and practical ways.

Keeslin Arivitsa at her school; the Technical University of Kenya

Keeslin Arivitsa’s journey is a powerful testament to the impact of education support and the power of resilience. Raised in a financially constrained background, Keeslin dream of attaining quality education often seemed distant—until Fadhili Trust stepped in.

Keeslin was first supported by Fadhili Trust while joining High School at Asumbi Girls. Through the Trust’s education sponsorship program, commonly known as Watoto Wetu, her school fees and upkeep were consistently covered, lifting a huge burden off her mother’s shoulders and allowing her to fully focus on her studies. With determination and the support of Fadhili Trust, Kesley successfully completed her secondary education with commendable performance.

Today, Keeslin is pursuing a Bachelor of Real Estate, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment at the Technical University of Kenya—a remarkable achievement that stands as a milestone not only in her personal journey but also in the mission of Fadhili Trust to empower young people through education.

Keeslin continues to thrive academically and aspires to become a leading professional in the real estate sector, contributing to Kenya’s development and inspiring others from disadvantaged backgrounds. She aspires to some day also support many who are from needy backgrounds to attain their education as a way of giving back.

Fadhili Trust is proud to have walked with Keeslin on this transformative journey and remains committed to supporting many more like her. Her story is a shining example of what is possible when potential meets opportunity.

Samuel Muthoka from Kavete Village, Mikuyuni Sub-location, Makueni County practicing 100% soil cover through mulching

In the semi-arid landscapes of Makueni County, where erratic rainfall and soil degradation pose significant challenges, Samuel Muthoka, a seasoned farmer from Kavete village in Mikuyuni Sub-location of Makueni County, embarked on a transformative journey to revitalize his farming practices.

Facing dwindling yields and escalating costs associated with conventional farming methods, Samuel sought innovative solutions to enhance soil fertility and moisture retention. Through training sessions facilitated by agricultural extension officers from Fadhili Trust, he was introduced to the practice of mulching—a technique involving the application of organic materials like crop residues, grass clippings, and leaves to cover the soil surface.

He attests that the mulch layer significantly reduced evaporation, maintaining consistent soil moisture levels even during dry seasons. Also, as the organic mulch decomposed, it enriched the soil with essential nutrients, fostering a thriving environment for crops and the mulch barrier inhibited weed growth,

reducing competition for nutrients and minimizing the need for manual weeding. In comparison, there are weeds, moisture is not retained, the soil has  hardpan, and the crops are not healthy.

Samuel says the adoption of mulching has led to a substantial increase in crop yields. Additionally, the improved soil health and moisture retention translated to significance reduction on water reliance, drastically cutting water usage.

Samuel’s success with mulching has not only transformed his farming operations but also inspired fellow farmers in Kavete village. He actively shares his experiences through local farmer groups and workshops, advocating for sustainable agricultural practices that enhance resilience against climate change.

At Kalembwani Village in Mikuyuni Sub-location of Makueni County, farmers are fast embracing using Azolla to supplement poultry feeds, thanks to Fadhili Trust’s Nature+ project that has offered the trainings. This practice has not only helped reduce feed costs but also improved the overall health and productivity of the chickens. Ms. Eunice Mango has set up small-scale Azolla ponds(1M by 4M) to cultivate the fern.

The Azolla grows quickly, with a doubling time of about 2-3 days, making it a highly renewable resource. Ms. Mango sells 2kg of Azolla on a daily basis to interested farmers at Kshs.2,000 which she is able to meet other pressing household needs. This she says has increased her income diversity which she never used to attract.

She says that Azolla has significantly lowered the cost of poultry production, hence making it a more profitable venture to her household and the rest of the community. She has also observed improved egg production and growth rates in her chicken flocks as it is rich in Protein, Nitrogen, Vitamins, Iron, Calcium and Phosphorus which boost the immune system and overall health of the chickens. From nine of her layers, she previously could realize 27 eggs in 7 days.

However, the nine layers are now laying 63 eggs in 7-days. She also uses azolla to feed her dairy cows which has seen an increase milk production. On a daily, her three cows could previously produce 6 litres of milk but are now producing 9 liters of milk, which she sells as fresh milk, fermented milk or yoghurt.

This sustainable practice is now being scaled up, with more farmers joining the azolla bandwagon due to the clear economic and environmental benefits. The integration of Azolla in poultry farming is seen as a model for sustainable, low-cost poultry production that improves farmer profitability while reducing environmental impact.