Preserving her family’s dignity
Phoebe Ndinda is a hotelier and a shop owner in Musumaa area, Kivaa Ward in Machakos County. She joined Kenya Women Microfinance Bank (KWFT) in 2009 to acquire a loan to boost her businesses and in turn improve her family’s standards of living.
Her previous toilet and bathroom facility were made of mud and she used a sack as a door which would easily be blown away by the wind which made it embarrassing while using the toilet. The bathroom floors were also difficult to clean as they would get muddy. This also meant that they got muddy after taking a bath.
To curb this issue, Phoebe acquired a loan facility from KWFT to construct a proper sanitation facility where she has constructed a modern bathroom and two toilets which have been instrumental to her family’s needs as well as her own. Since the area she resides is dry and has water shortage, she decided to acquire financing to procure 2 water tanks of 5,000 litres each from KWFT. These have to helped her store water, have adequate water for domestic use, clean her toilets and prevent her from travelling long distances to fetch water in the river.
To enhance hygiene Phoebe has stationed a handwashing unit outside her toilets for people to wash their hands after using the toilet. Phoebe is happy to have these solutions because she is assured that her family’s dignity, privacy and sanitation needs are covered.
Phoebe’s photos are as follows:
The story of Phylis Ndambuki
Phylis Ndambuki is a revolutionary woman. Her story is characterized by resilience and hard work and it was led by the dream of creating a comfortable life for her and her loved ones. It started off when the newly wed lady she moved to Machakos County. She was a rope weaver making very little when started a posho mill to meet the needs of her growing family.
This is when she joined Kenya Women Microfinance Bank (KWFT). She was hesitant about acquiring finance because she had to repay her loan with what she made from weaving ropes. Nonetheless, she got Ksh10,000 from KWFT and started her journey. She invested her money in the posho mill and gradually she was able to support her family.
As her business was growing, she needed more funds to educate her children. Also, she experienced difficult times fetching water from far and carrying it on her back. It was tiresome, time consuming and it was unclean for consumption. She also aspired for a decent home for her family and fortunately she had the support from KWFT because she applied for loans to suit her needs.
Through KWFT, Phylis has been able to educate all her children who she has also mentored in business. She has also acquired water tanks to provide safe water to her home. She has also built a modern home through KWFTs nyumba smart loan. With these conveniences she has ventured in additional businesses because she has been able to direct her time and energy in them.
In addition to weaving sisal ropes, Phylis has acquired additional business loans. She has a butchery, a barber shop, and shop that also offers mpesa services all which serve her immediate community. She is very proud of her successes. She has greatly inspired her peers and moreso earned her influential leadership positions in her community.
Phylis Ndambuki next to her tank.
Kakalia, Machakos County