For many elderly individuals in Nyeri county and especially in rural areas and informal settlements, retirement boredom m, isolation and the daily monotony that often accompanies aging has become their part of life.
As the world marks the World Elderly Day, most senior citizens across the country are still grappling with a myriad of challenges, some of which can be tackled through deliberate interventions by the elders themselves, support groups, non-governmental organizations 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’, that’s traditionally indigenous to communities like the Kama, Kikuyu and Taita, is a handwoven sisal basket that has transformed from purely functional agricultural tool into a modern fashion statement and a life-saving hobby for seniors.
He group of 16 senior citizens led by their Chairlady Margaret Wairimu says that the exercise has contributed immensely to their well-being in diverse ways, and most importantly in keeping depression at bay.
Wairimu noted that besides enhancing their cognitive stimulation and brain fitness as well as keeping their motor skills and physical mobility intact, weaving chondos has 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.
She added, “To strengthen our bond and chama, we have ventured into table banking where we are contributing sh 100 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.”
She noted that they sell their products to locals as well as to designers who later modify them and resell to the modern market
Wairimu averred that one of the major setback they have faced in their weaving venture is lack of raw materials due to financial hiccups.
“Most of the time we run out of materials and this really affects us,” she noted.
Their venture, that’s keeping their glory days bright, has however received a boost from Munyiri Africa Foundation (MAF) through financial support and provision of surplus raw materials.
The Foundation has been supporting business start-ups and especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs) through entrepreneurship and financial literacy training since it’s inception in April last year.
The Chairlady divulged that through the kind support, the group has managed to improve their products, to make them more marketable, adding that they are considering roping in more senior citizens into the group.
“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 that the elderly live a dignified life,” she said.
She said that they are making a decent income from their venture which has ended over reliance on their children’s support while at the same time restoring a sense of purpose and identity to many elders.
At the same time, they revealed that they are partnering with MAF to initiate programmes geared towards supporting the youth and salvaging them from the dungeons of illicit brews and drug abuse.
Among the projects, according to Michael Mugweru a local youth leader, include planting of tree seedlings and fish farming.
“We already have fishponds across the village and we are waiting for fingerings. 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 also divulged that through the programme, local youths are being engaged in clean-up exercises as part of environment conservation with a long term goal of venturing into waste recycling.
