Ruth Matheka Kenya

In the semi-arid landscapes of Makueni County, Kenya, 41-year-old Ruth Matheka has felt the devastating impacts of climate change that have long shaped the lives of rural communities. But through ActionAid’s Gender Responsive Alternatives to Climate Change program, new hope is emerging.

Before undertaking training with ActionAid, Ruth struggled to feed her family. Her husband was the sole breadwinner, while she attempted to grow crops that would often wither weeks after the rain stopped. School fees was a constant challenge, and sometimes her children would miss weeks of education.

That changed when Ruth worked with ActionAid to became one of 45 local trainers trained in agroecology and pasture management. Together, these trainers have since reached 225 community members with the knowledge and techniques to adapt to changing climate conditions.

Building Resilience To The Climate Crisis

On her five-acre farm, she now practices agroecology, which emphasises crop diversity, integrated pest management, and soil moisture retention techniques. Her farm produces pigeon peas, vegetables, pawpaw, indigenous trees, and bottle gourds, a traditional crop with multiple uses, from nutrition to utensils. She has also established a fruit and indigenous tree nursery, which she sells to generate extra income.

One of the biggest surprises came when Ruth began selling pasture grass grown for her animals. Her first sale earned her enough money to buy a cow. “I never imagined grass could be that profitable,” she said proudly.

A New Beginning For Rural Women In Kenya

Ruth’s transformation has also inspired others. As a member of a women’s group, she shares her knowledge by training fellow women in tree nursery establishment and pasture management.

She was honoured to represent her community at the 1st Agroecology Symposium in Nairobi, where she connected with farmers from across the country, viewed a wide variety of seeds, and engaged with policymakers. From this experience, she plans to help her group establish a local seed bank.

“This is a rare opportunity for rural women,” she said. “But the project made it possible. It gave me a new beginning. We are no longer helpless, we have knowledge, resources, and resilience.”

ActionAid’s Gender Responsive Alternatives to Climate Change program has been running in Kenya since 2017. The project empowers women by strengthening women’s collectives to access, control, and make informed decisions regarding climate adaptation.