In the desert village of Nengerpus, Samburu county Kenya, where drought and the daily struggle to survive seemed to reign supreme, a beacon of hope emerged in the form of the Namayana (Blessed) Business Group.
Miriam Lekolo, a resilient widow, found herself at the center of this transformative tale, breaking free from the clutches of illicit brewing and soaring to new heights with her two business partners. With the intervention of BOMA, Miriam’s life underwent a remarkable transformation, as she went from the brink of despair to a respected leader in her community.
Miriam’s journey began with a turbulent past. After losing her husband in 2007, she found herself alone, destitute, and trapped in the dangerous world of brewing illegal alcohol, known as chang’aa.”I used to brew the illicit alcohol known as chang’aa, with the assistance of other women. We would produce up to 7 drums of it. In my area, brewing chang’aa was the trade that women were familiar with. Some of them even ended up getting arrested due to this dangerous pursuit. Many women relied on this illicit brew and firewood for their survival.” Miriam’s desperation was tangible as she moved from place to place, constantly evading those who sought to prevent her from pursuing her illicit trade.
At her lowest point, when thoughts of suicide crept into her mind, a chance encounter with a compassionate pastor altered her course. It was during this fragile moment that coincidentally, like a divine intervention, BOMA entered her life, providing a lifeline of hope.
Selected as one of the participants for their program, Miriam bid farewell to her dangerous brewing endeavors and embraced a new path—learning about legitimate business practices and acquiring vital skills that would see her flourish. “I am grateful to BOMA for bringing me out of that and right now when I hear of women brewing illicit alcohol, I feel so bad because when doing that, there’s a high chance that you may get burnt in the process, your body also becomes weak, you become hopeless.”
Guided by BOMA’s comprehensive training, Miriam and her business partners delved into the world of business. They gained knowledge on selling essential goods such as sugar, salt, and cooking oil, while also learning the importance of savings and providing for their children’s education and well-being. Their progress was further bolstered by a dedicated mentor who walked alongside them, imparting wisdom and valuable insights throughout their journey.
With each passing day, Miriam’s experience and confidence grew. They started utilizing their savings, reinvesting them to expand their stock and meet the needs of their growing customer base. The Namayana Group’s success became a catalyst for positive change within their community. Miriam and her business partners decided to use a portion of their savings to rescue the daughter of one of their business partners, Ngarsis, who had been forced into child marriage. “My business partner gave up her daughter when she was only 12 years old in exchange for dowry because of the problems she was going through. She was forced to exchange her for two cows in order for her to escape the poverty that was in her home. So, when she came crying, I felt her pain and we saw the need for her daughter to get an education.” This process was not easy as they faced formidable challenges, including opposition from the elders involved, but their unwavering determination prevailed. With the fine paid and the child freed, they sent her back to school, liberating her from the clutches of an abusive relationship. “We paid almost 30,000 shillings from the savings that we had, bought her school uniform and we took the child to school. The 30,000 shillings came from our shares in the savings group that we are a part of so that helped us a lot.”
This act of bravery and compassion inspired others in the community, earning them respect and recognition. As their business flourished, the group’s savings grew exponentially. They found solace in the knowledge that their children were receiving an education and that they no longer had to rely on others for support. Miriam’s heart swells with pride as she witnesses her daughter’s journey through secondary school. She constantly reminds her daughter that education is the key to breaking free from dependency.
Asked about the challenges that they encountered in their pursuit for success, Miriam recalled when the COVID-19 pandemic struck, threatening their progress. Yet, the group’s spirit remained unbroken. They persevered, adapting to the circumstances and emerging even stronger. Their resilience became an inspiration to others in the community, reinforcing the message that hardships could be overcome with determination and unity.
Miriam’s story serves as a powerful testament to the transformative power of BOMA’s intervention. From a desperate widow struggling to survive, she has become a beacon of hope and a respected leader in her community. Through their savings group, aptly named Naserian, meaning “peaceful,” the Namayana Group continues to thrive. With a shared vision for the future, they aspire to purchase a vehicle to enhance their business operations, invest in livestock and sell them at a profit, and even establish a maize flour processing facility to address a local need.
“The future is bright for us. We plan to buy a car which will help us run our business. We also intend to buy our own flock and sell them at a profit. We soon plan to buy a maize flour processing machine because we have identified a gap in this area. The nearest processing facility is a laborious two-hour trek away.”
Miriam’s firm resolve, coupled with the knowledge and skills acquired through BOMA’s training, has shattered misconceptions about women entrepreneurs in her community. “People look at me and wonder how I have made it this far doing legal business. The prevailing misconception suggests that a woman can only achieve greatness with the support of a husband. For far too long, women have been deemed the weaker sex, but my story dispels these misconceptions. A woman can work hard and achieve all that they want despite the challenges that come their way. We can do it as women. It is possible.”
Miriam proves that women can succeed, even in the face of adversity. Her journey is a proof to the transformative power of determination, hard work, and a supportive community.
As Miriam reflects on her journey, she extends her heartfelt gratitude to BOMA for their immense support. She appeals for continued opportunities should they arise, assuring them that the Namayana Group will never falter in their pursuit of greatness. “On behalf of my business group, I would love to thank BOMA for the support that they have given us and since we have thrived as a group, should they have any other opportunities for us, my request would be for them to consider us because we will not let them down.” With unswerving determination, Miriam and her partners embrace the future, propelled by the knowledge that they have the power to soar to even greater heights.