Responding to Deadly Conflicts in Western Kenya

The Pride of Woman group in Mt. Elgon continues to demonstrate commitment to improving household livelihoods and strengthening women’s economic empowerment through collective action. As part of efforts to support sustainable livelihoods, we provided raw materials worth 1,000L to support the women in making multipurpose liquid soap. This support is an important step toward helping the women develop a small income-generating activity while strengthening existing initiatives such as table banking and merry-go-round.

The women received raw materials to enable them to begin producing multipurpose liquid soap. The materials will be used collectively by the group, allowing members to gain practical skills in soap production, packaging, marketing, and small-business management.

The initiative is designed to start on a manageable scale and grow gradually as the women generate income from the sale of the soap. By producing the soap locally, the women can reduce production costs and retain a larger share of the profits within the group.

The liquid soap initiative will provide the women with an additional source of income. Profits from the sale of the soap can help members meet household needs, support children's education, purchase food, and respond to other financial challenges. The activity will also create opportunities for women to develop entrepreneurship, financial management, teamwork, and marketing skills.

Importantly, the initiative complements the women’s existing table banking and merry-go-round activities. A portion of the profits can be saved through table banking, while another portion can be reinvested into soap production. This will help the group build a stronger financial base and reduce dependence on external support.

The merry-go-round system has already created a culture of mutual support among the women. The soap-making project strengthens this solidarity by giving members a common economic activity and shared responsibility for managing the business

“We are very grateful to our donors for believing in us and supporting our group with the raw materials for making liquid soap. This opportunity has given us hope that we can create something that will generate income for our families. We are already used to supporting one another through merry-go-round and table banking, and now we have an activity that can help us increase our savings. We promise to work hard and make good use of this support.”

“Before receiving this support, we were thinking about how we could start a small business together, but we did not have enough resources. The support from donors has given us a starting point. We can make soap for our own households and sell the extra to our neighbors and other community members. The income will help us contribute to table banking, support our families, and improve our lives. We sincerely appreciate our donors for investing in women.

The women of Mt. Elgon sincerely appreciate our supporters and friends for her generosity, encouragement, and commitment to supporting women’s livelihoods. your contribution goes beyond providing raw materials; it has given the women confidence, hope, and an opportunity to work together toward greater economic independence.

The women recognize that meaningful change often begins with a small opportunity. Through GlobalGiving support, they now have the opportunity to transform their collective efforts into a sustainable income-generating activity. They are committed to using the resources responsibly, strengthening their group, and ensuring that the benefits reach as many members as possible.

The women and the wider community express their heartfelt “thank you” to GlobalGiving for standing with them and believing in their potential. They hope that this partnership will continue to create more opportunities for women in Mt. Elgon. For the initiative to remain sustainable, the women will maintain proper records of raw materials purchased, soap produced, sales made, expenses, and profits. They will also establish clear group agreements on how profits will be shared, saved, and reinvested. With continued mentorship, access to markets, and modest additional support, the women can gradually expand production and explore other household cleaning products.     

The support provided by our donors has given the Mt. Elgon women an opportunity to strengthen their economic resilience through multipurpose liquid soap production. Combined with table banking and merry-go-round, the initiative has the potential to increase household income, strengthen savings, promote entrepreneurship, and deepen cooperation among the women. Most importantly, the initiative demonstrates that when women are given an opportunity and trusted with resources, they can turn that opportunity into sustainable change for their families and communities.

The Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP) workshop was successfully held at Chepyuk primary school in Mt. Elgon from 15th to 17th April 2026. The workshop brought together young drawn from more creating a rich and diverse learning environment for fellowship, growth, and peacebuilding.

The workshop focused on equipping youth with practical tools for peaceful living, leadership, and conflict transformation. Key topics covered included:

• Affirmation of Self and Others – helping participants build self-worth while appreciating the dignity and value of others.
• Communication – strengthening listening skills, clear expression, and respectful dialogue.
• Cooperation – encouraging teamwork, unity, and collective responsibility.
• Community Building on Trust – exploring ways of creating healthy and supportive communities grounded in honesty and mutual respect.
• Creative Conflict Resolution – providing nonviolent approaches to handling disagreements and transforming conflicts into opportunities for growth.

The workshop used participatory methods such as group discussions, role plays, energizers, games, and reflection sessions. These methods enabled participants to actively engage with the learning process and share experiences from their various meetings.

One of the key outcomes of the training was the strong spirit of unity developed among the youths despite coming from different cultural and geographical backgrounds. Participants reported gaining new confidence, deeper understanding of nonviolence, and practical skills they can take back to their local meetings, schools, and communities.

The workshop also created an opportunity for networking among youth and strengthened relationships across the Mt. Elgon region. Many participants expressed commitment to becoming ambassadors of peace and promoting reconciliation wherever they serve.

We extend sincere gratitude to our supporters for the continued support of youth empowerment and peacebuilding initiatives. Appreciation also goes to the facilitators, organizers, and Chepyuk Peace Centre for hosting the event successfully.

The AVP workshop was impactful and timely, and we believe the seeds planted in these young leaders will continue to bear fruit in the society and the wider community.

Testimonies from the participants

The workshop had a deep and lasting impact on participants, as reflected in their personal testimonies. Many shared how the key topics of affirmation, communication, cooperation, trust building, and creative conflict resolution transformed their thinking and attitudes.

Several participants expressed readiness to share the knowledge gained with others. One participant said, “The workshop has sharpened my life, and I am ready to go and share this knowledge.” Another added, “I am going back to the community fully transformed by this training.” This shows the workshop empowered young people to become peace ambassadors in their communities.

Gratitude toward Transforming Community for Social Change was strongly felt. One participant remarked, “Thank you TCSC for considering me to be part of this family.” This reflected appreciation for the opportunity to grow and connect with other youths.

Leadership challenges were also addressed during the training. One participant shared, “I came to this training stressed about my leadership in my church, but now I have gained skills on how to handle those challenges.” This demonstrates how AVP equips participants with practical leadership and problem-solving tools.

The session on Transforming Power (TP) had a powerful influence on many. One participant said, “My thoughts about the community have changed. I will now look at things differently by using the Transforming Power.” Another added, “Transforming Power is going to use me to serve the community because I had the inner light in me, but I feared using it.”

The affirmation sessions helped build self-confidence and self-worth. One participant testified, “I have been shy to stand in front of an audience, but after the affirmation session, I now believe in myself.” Another reflected, “I did not know I could change and become a better person, but through AVP I have learned a lot.”

Communication and listening skills were another key area of growth. One participant confessed, “I had problems with listening skills. I used to overthink and make judgments before listening, but I am happy I have been educated.” Another added, “The Transforming Power working in me now is to listen before making judgment and to trust my inner sense of when to act.”

The workshop also inspired emotional growth and reconciliation. One participant said, “I came in quick to anger and always looking down on others. This experience has taught me to reach for the good in others.” Another courageously shared, “Last week I had a conflict with my friends and ended up fighting one of them. From here, I regret what I did, and I will trace my friend and apologize.”

Overall, these testimonies show that the workshop was life-changing, equipping participants with skills to transform themselves and positively impact their communities