Another Chance
Conversation* with SARAH WAMBUI MWANGI, Vipani Farmer, 28 February 2006

Sarah Wambui Mwangi is only 32 years old, but she has gone through so many trials to last a lifetime. Yet, one can't tell this from her cheerful demeanor, as she goes about watering her crops. She likes to admire her vegetables and she feels inspired seeing them grow. These are her first good crops; her previous crops were destroyed by drought.

A widow with two children (Monica Njoki, 10 and Stephen Kamande, 5), she lost her husband early, and as she narrates, hers has been a life of pain and more pain. "When my husband was seriously ill, our first child contracted polio. My husband passed away soon after that, and what followed was hell. My husband left so little behind, just a cow and some chickens. Two years after I lost my husband, our first child also died."

"To keep going, I worked as a casual laborer in people's farms, and later, I used my savings to buy and sell ripe bananas by the road side. In the beginning my business was good, but after a while when people realized that there was money in it, so many started doing the same thing. My banana business did not go far."

"I didn't know what else to do. Then, my neighbors formed a farming group. At first I was hesitant to join them, even though farming was not new to me, because I did not have money to buy inputs. One of my neighbors lent me some seeds to start with, and then fertilizers were my next worry but by sheer luck, I managed to plant my first crop."

"We were just a group of poor farmers trying to find a solution to our problems. But the buyers and the middle men took advantage of our desperation and exploited us. Even our own group leaders whom we had appointed started colluding with the brokers. Our group effort did not go far either."

"When one of the farmers in our group, John Mwangi, joined Vipani, we did not take notice until we saw how good his farm and his family situation have become. His wife and his neighbors were excitedly talking about Vipani. Now I know what the excitement was all about."

"I think the amazing thing that Vipani has done is enabling us farmers to come back to business after we suffer crippling setbacks; it is just too difficult to get back after so much adversity. We are lucky to be members, and it will not be easy for those who were not able to join Vipani."

"My husband was planning to pay dowry to my parents but he was not able to do it, and I want to fulfill his wish. It is our tradition that the man will give a goat and a sheep as the first installment of the dowry before marriage takes place. I am going to get a good amount of money from my crops, and I will have more than enough to take care of that (dowry). I want to save and before September this year, buy a heifer or a bullock. Then, I want to build a better house. I also want to start a clothing business. I know it will not be easy but I will do it for my children. I want my children to have the best in life; education will be a priority", Sarah says confidently, now daring to start reliving her lost dreams.

"I don't think remarrying can fix my life, after all, where can I find a husband who is going to accept the responsibility of bringing up my children without complaining? Anyway, I think I have already found one. Vipani has brought me more than a husband!", Sarah says with a laugh.