Meet the Ladies!

The Women of Share the Load

 

 

 Joyce: Although Joyce is still young, she already has four children—and is expecting another one anytime. Even though her hands are kept quite busy with her family, she worked hard to make me six bags. Her selflessness challenged me, as she walked several miles in the scorching midday sun (that left me very burnt and red) just to say goodbye to me before I left. Joyce was in strong need of water and I’m sure she was overheated, but I’m her friend and so of course she would come for me.

Susan: This goal-driven woman became one of my best friends during my time in Lodwar. I got to know her one day on our walk home from church, and we had a great conversation in animated Swahili as she professed how I was now her biggest friend. Each Sunday she gave me that smile of camaraderie, and at my anniversary celebration she gave me a heart necklace that says “best friends forever.” Susan has three children, and does back-breaking work making concrete blocks for the homes in the Internally Displaced Persons camp where all the women live.

Lona: Lona has seven children, and uses her creative ability to weave intricate and colorful baskets as well as sew bags for this project in order to support them. Even though I had to turn down some of her beautiful handiwork due to luggage constraints, she was so very grateful for the opportunity to sew the handbags and gave me a great hug goodbye.

Nancy: I will never forget what this woman means to me. Nancy has become my Kenyan mother, both unofficially in friendship and officially as part of my wedding celebration. Even though we came to Lodwar in order to bless people, I have come away so blessed by her. Not only was she crucial in helping me start the handbag project as well as facilitate our weekly women’s meetings, but she invited my whole team to her tiny home to fellowship. Nancy is one of the most diligent and motivated Turkana women I have met; she holds a respected role in the local fish trade and even has started a tiny shamba of a donkey, goats, and a few chickens. She taught me how to siphon water from the riverbed and made me the first white visitor to the fish market. She and her husband, Daniel, have eight children, although we decided she actually has ten, including her adopted ones—my husband and I. The fifteen creative bags she and Daniel sewed together are for their son George, to fund his high school fees and the hopes of a more educated future.

 


 Celina Awoi, Jennifer, and Eliza also helped sew these bags. Each of their families has a story, too.

 

Christine: I met Christine when I came to Kenya for the first time. Although I’m not sure of the reason, she’s blind. As if the struggles of living as an IDP in the desert weren’t enough, she has no way to get a job and support her four kids (her little girl Akai is one of the sweetest girls at church). Christine, however, doesn’t let this bring her down, and she always has a beautiful smile ready for everyone. Her community gathered around her and is making this project hers as well, both supporting her needs and reminding her she’s not in this journey alone.