The Awe-Inspiring Women I’ve Met in Kenya

 

By: Bridget Keedwell

Throughout my time in Kenya, I’ve had the honour of meeting so many incredible and strong women, including school cooks, teachers, farmers, market vendors, and members of local women’s groups. From sunrise to sunset, these women are hard at work to provide a living for their families. The determination, kindness, generosity, and sense of community these women have are awe-inspiring. 

 

Learning how to cook traditional Kenyan dishes with Ruuju Women’s Group!

At each school I’ve had the pleasure of visiting, I’ve been amazed by the work that the cook does. The majority of the cooks at the schools we’ve visited have been women. Every day, the cooks work tirelessly to prepare two different meals for hundreds of students. Their ability to chop vegetables directly into a dish is a very impressive skill! 

 

Miriam, a nutrition student from Kenyatta University, and a school cook are chopping vegetables!

As a nutrition student, it has been excellent to see the cooks implementing our recommendations when preparing food, including using whole-grain maize, soaking the maize and beans, and adding orange and green vegetables to the githeri (maize and bean stew). 

 

A cook serving uji to students!

At Michogomone Primary School, I had the privilege of meeting Teacher Alice and learning about the incredible hands-on learning projects she is completing with her students for their 4K and nutrition club. There is no doubt that her motivation and enthusiasm positively influence the lives of many students. She graciously welcomed us into her classroom to facilitate nutrition activities with her students. While we worked with her students, it was nice to see how engaged and grateful she was. 

 

Completing a healthy plate activity with Teacher Alice and her students!

I had the opportunity to participate in a ‘CHAMPS’ session with Ruuju Women’s Group. Six women were chosen from the group to be the ‘CHAMPS’ or “Champion” trainers and were taught about a family nutrition topic which included a) a ‘super’ recipe (a home recipe modified

to be more nutritious), b) the “nutrient thieves”: tea and parasites (taught that having tea with meals can rob food of iron and zinc content, and parasites rob nutrients from food), and c) lifestyle diseases (taught about type 2 diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and obesity) that they would teach the rest of the women in their group. It was powerful to witness the ‘CHAMPs’ teach their topic to the other women with so much confidence and excitement. Watching the women be so supportive of one another and cherish their community was inspirational. As part of the session, we cooked ‘super’ Mukimo for the Women’s Group. The women pour their love into cooking, take such pride in their cultural foods and provide great hospitality.

The ‘CHAMPS’ making ‘super’ Mukimo!

One afternoon, I had the chance to visit a few goat farms. While at the farms, I listened to success stories about the impact the goats have had on the women and their families. One woman shared how the goats provided her with enough income to pay for her children's education. Seeing how the woman’s work creates opportunities for her children resonated with me. 

 

A woman goat farmer showing us how she milks her goats!

Meeting the vendors at the Kiirua market is a highlight of each day. The market is a few kilometres from the house where our team lives, and it is where we buy all our vegetables and fruit. All the produce is so fresh and delicious. We often buy tomatoes, onions, cabbage, avocados, pineapples, potatoes, bananas, watermelon, and oranges. It usually costs us about 200-500 KSh (approximately $2-5) for our market haul, depending on how much we buy, and you can only pay with cash. Typically, we take turns buying produce from the different women to share the business. The women at the market are so friendly, helpful and dedicated to their work. Seeing how grateful these women are when people purchase their produce is so special. 

 

Bridget, Enya and a cook showing off her new beads! We always give the cooks a small token of appreciation!

To the younger generation of women I’ve met, your intelligence, kindness and determination are empowering. You have so many trailblazing and inspiring role models to admire. You all have a very bright future! 

 

A favourite part of every school visit is making new friends!

I feel so grateful to have met so many extraordinary women during my time in Kenya. Having the privilege to know these women and listening to their stories are gifts I will cherish. I admire their strengths and skills, and I hope to acquire them myself.

#QEScholar