WOMEN'S STORIES

Drought and changing social structure have increased financial pressure on Rendille families in Melako Community Conservancy. 

By facilitating the sale of beadwork and providing business literacy training, NRT Trading and Zoos Victoria are helping Rendille women develop an alternative source of income.  Zoos Victoria retails the beadwork through our Beads for Wildlife campaign at Werribee Open Range Zoo, Melbourne Zoo and online. 

The income earned through the Beads for Wildlife campaign is improving food security, access to education and health, and household stability in Melako.  By providing an alternative income to herding, Beads for Wildlife also reduces competition between livestock and wildlife, and so reduces threats to the Grevy's Zebra and other species.

Meriko's story

Meriko is a survivor.  After the loss of her husband, Meriko's family's future looked grim.  However, Meriko was able to start her own beadwork business with a micro-loan and business training from the Northern Rangelands Trust.  Meriko is now financially independent and can afford to send her daughter to school.

Mahdina's story

Mahdina Turuga lives in Laisamis in Melako Community Conservancy. Mahdina is 35 years old, and currently supports her husband Severile and her six children through her beadwork.  Madhina is chair-lady of the Women's Tannery group which gives her the opportunity to support and develop the skills of other women.  These women are then also able to earn money through the sale of their beadwork, reducing their dependence on livestock as a primary source of income.

Nkisinoi's story

Nkisinoi Leinte lives in Laisamis and is 36 years old. She has one son who has become a Moran (warrior).  NRT Trading has helped Nkinsinoi develop business skills.  She is now known as Mamma Safaricom (Safaricom is the Kenyan version of Telecom) as she sells Safaricom airtime cards to mobile phone users.  Nkisinoi also sells kerosene and food items, and earns an above average wage.

TRADITIONAL RENDILLE SAYINGS 

Arab agartaayi'dun'dumme aganganin - Don't shoot the anthill instead of the elephant you are seeing [face the situation as it is]

Keera kabaryeen ichoow bicche kabaryeen waakkhicho koloo kaldaye barya - Dawn comes at the same time to the drinker of the milk [the rich] and the drinker of the water [the poor]

Uuri dargan urr tuumman i'diis koog - Every full stomach thinks all stomachs are full

Rendille woman and a traditional manyatta (house), Melako Community Conservancy

SCOUTS' STORIES

Melako Community Conservancy employs Scouts to continuously monitor wildlife.  The scouts record the location of individuals and species onto GPS monitors, creating wildlife distribution maps.  These maps then help the community develop management plans that relate to wildlife, such as the location of boreholes for wildlife during dry periods.