About Nambulabuchiro Women Group

NAMBULABUCHIRO Women Group (NbWG) is a registered community based self-help group for widows who work together for purposes of transforming their lives economically, socially and mentally by supporting each other through financial inclusion, small scale agriculture, entrepreneurship and advocacy on widows rights. NbWG is based in Samia Sub County, Busia County, Western Region of the Republic of Kenya.

NAMBULABUCHIRO Women Group vision ‘Perseverance Will Always Succeed’

1. Background and Problem Statement

In Samia Sub-County from western province in Kenya, widows face a unique intersection of poverty, food insecurity and social exclusion. Cultural traditions often disinherit women upon the death of their husbands, pushing them into chronic poverty. 

• > 75% of widows in the sub-county live on less than $1.25 per day.
• > 70% of widowed women lack formal land ownership or secure tenure.
• Most households are headed by widows who are decision makers and lack community voice.
• Food insecurity affects 4 in 5 widow-headed households, with poor diets, irregular meals and no buffer during dry seasons.

Widows in Samia remain locked out of mainstream economic opportunities especially agriculture which is the main source of income within the region. Inefficiencies of farming in Samia, see here: https://drive.google.com/drive/u/1/folders/17azNquF-KZacbLw2_NvSu-qckDddanZP contributing to the need for collective farming which is an ideal solution for Nambulabuchiro Women Group.

Justification for Collective Farming

• Land Ownership Gaps: Individual farming is unrealistic for many widows due to land tenure insecurity.
• Cost-Sharing Efficiency: Pooling inputs and labor greatly reduces the burden on each member.
• Hands-on field training substitutes for formal literacy and ensures widows gain usable agronomic and business skills.
• Knowledge Sharing: Group training enables peer learning and continuity of practice.
• Risk Reduction: Shared farming diversifies risk and supports mutual accountability.

Collective farming aligns with Kenya’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) by targeting vulnerable groups for inclusive development.

2. Proposed Solution

To address this multifaceted challenge, Nambulabuchiro Women Group (NbWG) proposes a community-based collective farming model. The initiative will thus require;

• Leasing 1 acre of land for cultivation by NbWG.
• Provide basic agroecological training led by a local agricultural extension officer.
• Use group labor and pooled resources for planting, weeding, maintenance and harvesting.
• Grow fast-maturing, climate-resilient crops such as sukuma wiki (kale), kunde (cowpea), beans and maize that will ensure both food and income.

3. Expected Results and Impact

4. Target Group

• Direct Beneficiaries: 30 widows (members of NbWG), ages 27 – 70
• Indirect Beneficiaries: Approximately 120 family members
• Location: Ageng’a Nanguba Ward, Samia Sub-County, Busia County - Kenya

5. Key Activities:

I - Land Leasing

• A 1-acre parcel of arable land, located centrally for easy access will be leased for 1 year.

II - Group Training

• A 1-day group training will be conducted by a local agricultural extension officer, covering:
  • Soil preparation
  • Planting techniques
  • Crop spacing and watering
  • Organic pest control
  • Weeding cycles and maintenance
  • Simple recordkeeping and sales tracking

III - Collective Farming and Crop Selection

a) – Collective Farming

• All planting, weeding and crop maintenance will be done by NbWG team coordinated in shifts.
• This shared model promotes responsibility, unity and equal participation.

b) – Crop Selection

• Focus on climate-resilient, fast-maturing crops to ensure quick returns and food availability. Including; Sukuma wiki, Kunde (cowpea), Beans and Maize. Where,  NbWG could achieving both quick food availability and moderate profit (~$,1000/ year).
• The strategy supports both livelihood and nutrition. 

IV - Harvesting and Marketing

• Group sells in local markets and keeps profits for scale-up.
• A portion of produce may be distributed to members for household nutrition.

6.  Budget Forecast - USD 1,680

7. Sustainability Plan

• Reinvestment: 10% of proceeds saved to fund the next season.
• Training Multiplication: Trained widows will mentor others joining the group.

• Partnerships: Engage Busia County agricultural office for ongoing extension support.

   

8. Funding Request

To launch the initiative, we are seeking USD 1,680 in seed funding. An investment that will enable over 30 vulnerable widows break the cycle of poverty through agriculture (collective farming) thus achieving economic independence and social dignity.

Fund Raising Link:  https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=6CH89WLJ9447E 

9. About the team:

I am Michael Agundah, Gerry with business and administration qualifications, working skills and experience of over seven years in humanitarian operation. Over the past four years I have volunteered at least 10-15 hours per week supporting widows in our community. I am particularly proud of having ensured that NbWG team did attain training in table banking, an initiative that focused on empowering and improving their skills in financial inclusion. Closely work with team leaders in designing programmes that will help them achieve financial independence. Collective farming most efficient initiative providing both food for family and income for savings. 

Group Leadership:

• Francisca Oguba, Chairperson. As a team leader, Francisca is a concerned with progress of entire group. She founded the group in May, 2016 few months after the passing on of her husband. Besides, financial challenges she is dedicated to ensuring that group activities esp. mary-go-round (table banking) initiative is functional whether team members are able to contribute or not, she ensures that missed relevant cycle activities are conducted on up-coming dates. Closely she has been an encouragement to many team members through regular home visits to group members who are sick, family bereaved who are in need support and counselling.
• Vivian Kwoba, NbWG treasurer. Vivian has successfully served in the capacity of treasurer since founding NbWG in 2016 and effectively do ensure that group agreements regarding fund contributions and interest payment on advances is timely receipted.
• Eunice Obuya, secretary to the team. Has effectively managed NbWG records to date, ensuring close monitoring of group members who attend regular meeting, making follow-up to establish the cause and providing updates to the team and support to respective members.

Stories of impact

• Case study 1: Hellen Atieno – From Domestic Abuse to Economic Independence. Age: 47 Dependents: 3 children Village: Nanderema

Hellen was widowed early in her marriage and her greatest hardship came from an abusive in-law who took over her home and assets after her husband’s passing. She fled with her 3 daughters to a neighbor’s home and lived in near-destitution for two years, working as a part-time cleaner.

Her breakthrough came when she joined NbWG in early 2018. She had no farming background but quickly adapted through the group’s peer-to-peer training. After participating in her first harvest of sukuma wiki, Hellen earned KSh 1,500 (approx. $11), which she used to buy secondhand clothes for resale. Hellen works hard to ensuring the little earning from her sale is saved towards her children health care, group savings and children’s book.

 “This home is not mine, but it’s where I found peace and purpose. It gave me the courage to dream again.” – Hellen sharing with team.

Case study 2: Janet Nekesa – From Grief to Growth. Age: 41 Dependents: 3 children Village: Gang’a

Janet’s husband died in a boda boda accident in 2020. Without income or title deeds, she was evicted from her marital land by relatives. With no farming space and three mouths to feed, she struggled. Her children missed school frequently due to lack of fees and food. 

Janet joined NbWG in 2021 and has become one of the most active members. Active member of group farming activities through which she saves towards her business, small scale fish mongering trader at the local market from which she uses part of her earnings to pay for her daughter’s schoolbooks, save for group contribution and buy food for her family. 

“Collective farming is not just work—it’s healing. Every weed I uproot feels like a burden I’m letting go.”

10. NbWG vision for the future

• Strengthen member engagement, increasing regular meeting attendance by 30–40%.
• Establish a functional office space in Samia Sub-County as a coordination and service hub.
• Launch core programs including a widow-to-widow savings scheme and access to basic agribusiness inputs.
• Form strategic partnerships with local government, CSOs and funders to expand resource mobilization and service delivery.
• Launch a Widows Digital Hub for financial literacy, storytelling and advocacy.
• Reach over 1,000 widows across Busia County with life-changing services.
• Build a permanent multi-purpose resource center owned and managed by widows.

• Scale up micro-loan and cooperative models to support sustainable widow-led businesses.

   

Thank you for reading. If you’re interested in supporting NbWG or learning more about the group, do not hesitate to reach out through contact information below. 

Contact Information

Michael Agundah, Gerry
Communication & Fundraising Lead
For: Nambulabuchiro Women Group (NbWG)
📧 Email: gerrymichaelagundah@gmail.com
📞 Phone: +254722515573