
Widow soldiers on
Jane Akoth 45, is a widow after losing her husband four years ago. She lives with her children aged between 9 and 28 years in Kaudha village in Gem. Her eldest son however works in Nairobi. Jane was a victim of the elections violence that rocked the country in 2007/8. This forced her to abandon her business at Gikomba market and relocate to the village.
But she soon started a small business at Dori market in Bondo which she has been growing bit by bit. When her husband died in Nairobi it became a big challenge to support her children but she has since recovered and is doing well with her clothes
business.
Joining Yawezekana Sacco has been a big boost to her especially when the Coronavirus hit the globe. She has been able to access a loan of 5,000 shillings twice. Her first loan was used to pay school fees while the second one has been used to expand her business. “When I get money, I buy new clothes from Kisumu City and after selling, I pay school fees and feed my children. Access to credit has been very helpful,” she says.
The corona virus pandemic did affect most businesses and some were forced to close shop but she has persevered. “Trade has been low but business is picking up slowly by slowly.”
Her vision is to grow her business, climb up the ladder as she educates her children, the youngest being in class three.