Nasra, Chairlady of the Development Girls Group, at her tailoring shop in Masalani, Garissa County. Credit:James Ekwam/Oxfam
Impact stories
Strength through community in Kenya
In Garissa County, Kenya, extreme droughts and flooding have displaced families and threatened traditional livelihoods.
To strengthen income and food security amid unpredictable climate events, local partner organisation Pastoralists Girls Initiative (PGI) is supporting community groups with cash grants and training, letting the community decide how best to invest the funds.
Communities in charge
When communities are empowered to make their own decisions about how funding is spent, they are better able to address their needs.
Through supporting women to establish small businesses, local communities are becoming more resilient in the face of the climate crisis.
James Ekwam/Oxfam
Nasra hangs up freshly dyed dresses to dry at the group’s tailoring shop in Masalani, Garissa County.
About the project
The initiative has supported 25 people with cash assistance and financial training, ensuring women can support their families amid the impacts of climate change. By combining skills training, financial support and collective enterprise, the project helps women generate income and build resilience in a challenging climate.
A total of eight groups have received support from the project with 136 women directly involved as members, specializing in:
- raising livestock
- farming crops
- making and tie-dyeing garments.
Groups received between Ksh 200,000 to 500,000 (approximately £1000 to £3000) to kickstart their businesses.
James Ekwam/Oxfam
Nasra lays out freshly dyed dresses at the group’s tailoring shop.
The Development Girls Group
Nasra is the chairlady of the Development Girls Group, which was founded in September 2022 after receiving training and a cash grant from PGI. This group runs a tailoring shop making custom-made tie-dyed dresses.
Before this project, most of the group’s members had no income, no savings and no training. Today, that reality is changing.
“We are experiencing the impacts of climate change in our region. Sometimes there is drought, other times it's floods... In 2018, PGI came and brought together women in our community and educated us with skills and finance and we started a business.”
Nasra in Garissa County, Kenya.
The group reinvests their profits and meets every Friday to discuss their weekly progress and contribute KSh 200 (around £1) for group savings and a social fund they use to help community members in need.
James Ekwam/Oxfam
We have grown financially and gained new knowledge... We used to buy clothes and it was expensive, but now we are making our own.”
Nasra, chairlady of Development Girls Group, Garissa County, Kenya
“A group is stronger than individuals working by themselves”
Nasra in Garissa County, Kenya.
It brings me joy making clothes for my community. I am so proud of myself.”
Nasra in Garissa County, Kenya.
