- Nyeri elders are finding renewed purpose through a traditional craft
- A village weaving group is turning its hobby into a source of income
- Support from a local foundation is helping expand the elders’ venture
For many elderly individuals in the country, and especially in rural areas and informal settlements, retirement boredom, isolation and the daily monotony that often accompanies ageing have become part of life.
As the world marked the International Day of Older Persons on October 1, most senior citizens across the country were still grappling with a myriad of challenges. Some of these can be tackled through deliberate interventions by the elders themselves, support groups, nongovernmental organisations and the government.
At Chinga village in Othaya constituency, Nyeri County, elders have identified weaving chondos as the antidote to most of the challenges they face in their daily lives.
The kiondo is traditionally indigenous to communities like the Kamba, Kikuyu and Taita. It is a handwoven sisal basket that has transformed from a purely functional agricultural tool into a modern fashion statement and a lifesaving hobby for seniors.
The group of 16 senior citizens is led by Chairlady Margaret Wairimu. She says the exercise has contributed immensely to their well-being in diverse ways, most importantly in keeping depression at bay.
Wairimu noted that weaving chondos enhances their cognitive stimulation and brain fitness, and keeps their motor skills and physical mobility intact. It has also turned their isolation into a social chama.
“We meet here and listen to the Word of God, pray together, share stories, pass down historical lore, and laugh while weaving our chondos. This shared labour has created a vibrant social environment that has significantly reduced the risks of depression and isolation that we face,” Wairimu said.
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She added, “To strengthen our bond and chama, we have ventured into table banking where we are contributing Ksh100 each and the money is balloted by three members. This money goes a long way in addressing some of the daily financial burdens that members face.”
The group sells its products to locals as well as to designers, who later modify them and resell to the modern market.
Wairimu said one of the major setbacks in their weaving venture is a lack of raw materials due to financial hiccups.
“Most of the time we run out of materials and this really affects us,” she noted.
However, their venture, which is keeping their glory days bright, has received a boost from Munyiri Africa Foundation (MAF). The support includes financial help and the provision of surplus raw materials.
The Foundation has been supporting business startups, especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs), through entrepreneurship and financial literacy training since its inception in April last year.
The chairlady said the support has helped the group improve its products and make them more marketable. The group is also considering roping in more senior citizens.
“We were almost breaking when the godsend help from MAF came knocking at our doors. The Foundation has agreed to walk with us to ensure that our goals are achieved and that the elderly live a dignified life,” she said.
She said they are making a decent income from the venture, which has ended over reliance on their children’s support. At the same time, it has restored a sense of purpose and identity to many elders.
The group also said it is partnering with MAF to start programmes meant to support the youth and salvage them from illicit brews and drug abuse.
According to local youth leader Michael Mugweru, the projects include planting tree seedlings and fish farming.
“We already have fishponds across the village and we are waiting for fingerlings. We hope that after six months we will be able to sell our fish to local markets and earn a living. We are also putting up orchards. These projects will keep our youth busy and distract them from engaging in antisocial vices,” Mugweru said.
He said local youths are also being engaged in cleanup exercises as part of environment conservation. The long term goal is to venture into waste recycling.
By John Kamau
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