This blog was written by Rachel Beale and Grace Cooney, our Fundraising & Communications Assistants.

The view from underneath a tree in Baringo, Kenya, where a Savings Group regularly meets.

In light of our previous blog discussing the ways in which climate change impacts the everyday lives of members, we’d like to share with you the story of Remera, a member from Baringo, Kenya. She is one of the many women who has built resilience to climate shocks through her business and Savings Group.

In Baringo, prolonged droughts in recent years have left pastoralist communities struggling to make ends meet due to crop failure and lack of food for livestock. Remera was all too aware of the devastation that the dry-season brings, and sought to make change happen herself. She created a robust business plan, clearing idle land and planting grass (as forage for livestock) which she later harvested and kept in a store hut. When the dry season came, Remera was prepared, and sold the grass from her store.

Not only was Remera able to keep her business afloat despite the drought; she was able to make a profit and provide for her community during a time of need. She used the profits to pay for her nieces and nephews school fees, and to pay off her loan. Through her determination and resilience, Remera’s community now see her as a role model of positive change, and no longer see themselves as lacking power or agency to cope with climate shocks.

Remera’s story is featured in our 2022 Impact Report: Vision. Click here to see the report and read more about the incredible impacts Savings Group members, like Remera, have experienced.