In a world where unemployment and poverty are real, Sr. Angela engages in transformative work
that is making a significant impact on the women of Kinyaga village Embu county.
Farming and Sustainable Practices
Sr. Angela is a trained agriculturalist whose work in farming is particularly noteworthy. Sr.
Angela practices farming at her congregation farm, St. Padre Pio farm and at the same time
empowers women in Embu community on sustainable small scale farming including zero
grazing, crops growing and poultry farming in their small lands.
“I conducted some research and discovered that Embu is a fertile area for farming,
despite the small land sizes families own. So, after my studies I came here to work in
our congregations farm and decided to empower the women in the communities around
to maximize the use of their small portions of land to sustain themselves,” Sr. Angela
said.
Most women practice zero grazing in the locality now. Some women use manure from the zero
grazing for biogas production, and utilizes the biogas for lighting and cooking. This system not
only provides sustainable energy but also allows the women to sell milk and are therefore able to
support their families.
“On my small farm, I practice zero grazing and use the manure for biogas,
as well as for my banana plantation and maize crops. When I come home
late, I rely on the biogas cooking. I use the biogas for lighting and I no
longer need to buy electricity or refill gas cylinder,” one woman shared.
Sr. Angela also supports women in poultry farming.
“Since I started rearing chickens, I no longer face as many problems
because I can always sell chickens or eggs to buy unga,” another woman
said.
In addition to her agricultural initiatives, Sr. Angela empowers women to do table banking.
Through this groups she is able to bring in experts to train them on different skills. Recently, the
women have been making diapers and sanitary towels.
The acknowledgment of the contribution of religious women in transforming our societies is
needed more than ever. And, Sr. Angela’s is one among the many transformative works of
women religious in Kenya. Women religious are out here empowering the people of God to lead
more self-sufficient and dignified lives.