Women of the Workforce

Historically, women haven’t pursued careers and instead have maintain the home. However, this is changing. I’ve met a few incredible women who work and maintain their households. They have all been excited to share their professions with me. These women take great pride in their work and it’s been an honor to meet them. Meet Theresa: 

Theresa is 27 years young lives in Ongata Ronkai. Theresa runs a cereal shop in the main part of town. She sells rice, beans, grains, and assorted other items to customers that stop by. She carefully scoops the grains into brown paper bags and weighs them based on how much her customers want to buy. Theresa feels called to ministry and is saving the money she makes to pay for grad school. Meet Elder Dr. Gladwell Njeri Wambiri (not pictured): This woman has it together! She’s one of the first parish members I met here on my second night in Sukari estate. She was invited over for dinner because she is the clerk of the session. Mama Guntha is also a lecturer at one of the local universities. A few weeks ago we had fellowship in her home and I was shocked to find out she also has four children!  

Meet Nancy: 

Nancy is Florence’s sister. She owns a dress shop and makes custom dresses, skirts, and blouses for women in her town. She has a single sewing machine to do all of the work. She has a few posters on the walls of dresses. Customers point to the ones they like and Nancy draws a picture of the dress in her notebook. Customers can buy fabric from her or bring their own fabric from somewhere else. Then, she takes measurements and creates a dress in a couple of hours. Nancy is also the mastermind behind my kitenge. Meet Lydia (not pictured): Lydia and her family own a chicken farm. The raise chickens, sell eggs, sell homemade chicken feed, and sell meat. She spends most of her time running the businesses and simultaneously caring for her two grandchildren. Lydia is a member of Sukari Parish and is a dear friend of Florence. One day we stopped by her house to pick up some chicken feed for our chickens. She was so excited to have a guest in her home - so thrilled that she sent me home with 35 eggs as a gift! We’ve been enjoying them ever since. Meet Gladys: 

Gladys is the wife of a pastor in a nearby estate and Florence’s best friend. One day, the two of them hope to open an orphanage together. In the meantime, Gladys is a working woman. She’s a chemist (aka pharmacist) and owns a pharmacy. It is her job to count medications and give them out after she receives a script from a doctor. It functions much in the same way that pharmacies in the US do, just on a smaller scale. Gladys also sells over the counter medications, first aid supplies, feminine hygiene products, as well as some beauty products. Her pharmacy is right outside the estate where we live.  

Meet Kate: 

This is Kate (she appeared in a previous post) and she has a jewelry business. A few weeks ago she made me some special handmade items to take home. Kate is a member of Sukari Parish. Kate is a stay-at-home mom and she recently discovered a passion for Masai jewelry making. Now she's started her own business making jewelry and other goodies. You can check out her Instagram page @zafaraniafrikabykatesaich if you're interested in supporting her. What an honor it has been to spend time with these phenomenal women! ~ Nell in Nairobi