Mwanzo Energetic Proud Farmers – Our Story and Our Founding by Janet Andar

The group that became Mwanzo Energetic Proud Farmers came together in December 2012. At that point we did not know what we were going to do or how. We started it from a place of hopelessness. 

This group’s founders are widows, known at that time as mond liete - wives of the graves. The suffering and impact of the HIV/AIDS invasion in Nyanza Province was greater than can be captured in words. Many widows, orphans, and elderly were left without support. The many widows had very poor living conditions. The women suffered severe stigma, were impoverished, vulnerable, and some, infected by HIV and AIDS, were dying without medicines. No one wanted to touch us because we were AIDS positive.

In December 2012 Madame Director Loyce was on her yearly visit to her rural home in Rabuor. Shortly after her arrival, at 6:00 am in the morning, we were at her doorstep. Without any appointment she opened the door. Loyce received us with love, open hands, and was ready to give ear to our grievances.

We were desperate to have Loyce counsel and teach us how to access and take antiretrovirals. We desired good lives and to help to eradicate stigma in the community so our children could live with hope. Loyce had done this kind of work during the earlier organization known as Rabuor Village Project.

We decided to make a positive turn with a new name of MWANZO ENERGETIC PROUD FARMERS. A new era in our lives began in 2012.

As a founding member, I am happy to report that the group has grown by a lot in confidence and expanded leadership. We dance and sing and laugh. With the support of our friends in the US, we have continued to grow.

MEPF members are 22 persons presently. Eight of these 22 members are leaders of eight subgroups within different neighboring villages:

Kondeng Women Self-help Group: 20 members

Odhech Motang Women Group: 23 members

Wacho gi Timo: 30 members

Dero Kiyieng: 17 members

Latter Women Fellowship: 33 members

Pambo: 22 members

Bayeda: 35 members

Kariwo Self-help Group: 30 members

A report cannot capture the joy and impact now that our children are attending a beautiful school in a rural village of Rabuor which not too long ago was devastated by AIDS. Now the women are leaders, taking their happy children to school. Soon we will meet in a meeting room once the community center is completed, instead of under a tree. We are a city of light.

We appreciate the sacrifice to create a home of hope for our group and the entire community of Rabuor and surrounding villages.

Be blessed.

Thank you.

Janet Andar, MEPF chair

Images: Janet Andar, MEPF chair. The group that became MEPF in 2013. MEPF members at an agricultural training. MEPF members selling seedlings and produce at a market.