Girls go to school too!

Fatuma is a daughter of one of the Self Help Group women of Eastleigh. Like most of the girls in her community, access to education is a major challenge that her family must struggle to overcome. Canadian Baptist Ministries’ urban self help project in Nairobi is helping vulnerable families recognize the importance of education for women and girls, who sadly are often neglected by their society. The Somali women in the groups are working together to provide a sustainable income that will enable all of their children, boys and girls, to complete school. This year, the project will also be helping 25 vulnerable households with tuition costs for school and providing literacy training for mothers and young women. Education opens doors to a better life!

This past week, we gathered with sixty representatives from the ten Self Help Groups in Eastleigh. Throughout the day, members from each of the groups shared about what it has meant for them to be a part of a self help group. “Our group meets every week,” shared one women, “but we love each other so much that we meet more. I am so thankful for my sisters!” The groups are not only saving money and starting micro enterprises, but they are providing emotional and spiritual support for each other and their families. “Many of my neighbours are afraid. They are leaving Eastleigh because of safety. But I do not want to leave.” confessed a widow in the group. “I pray to God for my daughter and for peace.”

In 2012, the Self Help Groups adopted a beautiful scarf as their symbol. Made by the women of Peace SHG, one of the groups formed last year, the scarf has a bright yellow sun that is rising into a blue sky, fringed with green. “The light is the the hope that we experience together!” shared Erica during the gathering. “You are a light to your community! Blue represents the peace that we all want in our lives and community, and the green represents how you are growing individually and as a group.”As new women join the SHG they are presented with a scarf to wear.

Melanie with Hamdi

Thank you for praying for the women of the Eastleigh SHG and their families.