Getrude Mpandaguta, a 66-year-old widow and breadwinner, has defied the odds and proved that age is just a number. Thanks to the International Labour Organization's ACCEL Project, Ms. Mpandaguta has been empowered to become a successful goat farmer and businesswoman.
For me to send my grandchildren to school is difficult. The school is close by, but they need soap to bath, exercise books, pens and food, which is hard for me to provide. At the same time, I also need to ensure everything at the farm is going well of which I cannot do on my own and therefore need help from my oldest grandchild."
Ms. Mpandaguta
Ms. Mpandaguta is a member of the Chisomo club, a group of three individuals who were supported by ACCEL project with five goats as part of their start-up package. The group was empowered to employ integrated agriculture, which involves selling animals to sponsor their children's education and using the manure collected from the goats to augment their coffee and maize fields.
The project has been life-changing for Ms. Mpandaguta. She has been able to provide for her four grandchildren, whom she is sponsoring through school, and has withdrawn them from child labour activities at her farm. "For me to send my grandchildren to school, there is so much that goes into it," she says. "The school is close by, but for them to go they need soap to bathe, exercise books, pens and enough food, which is hard for me to provide. At the same time, I’m also to ensure everything at the farm is going well of which I cannot do on my own and still need help from my oldest grandchild."
Thanks to ACCEL project, Ms. Mpandaguta has not only been given goats but has also been trained in business management, entrepreneurship, livestock management, and child labour training. The training has helped her to diversify her income streams and provide for her household's basic needs. She has also been able to outsource farm labour and care for her livestock without hindrances.
"I am hopeful that by June-July, I'll have started reaping the fruits of my business," says Ms. Mpandaguta. "I am happy and grateful to the ACCEL project; my life has surely changed for the better." This is a true success story, and one that deserves to be celebrated and shared with the world.
