Mary Kagendo

Mary Kagendo Mitugo, born in Riampobi in 1976, is a single mother supporting five children, whose ages span from 8 to 25. Due to financial hardship, she was unable to continue her education past class 8. Mary sustains her family through a combination of farming, sand harvesting, and selling water-fetching services. She cultivates crops like pigeon peas, cow peas, maize, and millet on the 4 acres of land she inherited. Despite a modest annual income of KES 10,000, Mary is dedicated to her children's education and lives with her family in a multi-room home with a separate kitchen.

As an experienced basket weaver, Mary sells her crafts through the Merry-Go-Strong project, which has significantly improved her life. The income generated from her basket sales has allowed her to make home improvements, notably purchasing a 300-liter water tank and acquiring school uniforms for her children. Beyond the financial benefits, the project has boosted her self-assurance and allowed her artistic talent to flourish, particularly in her enjoyment of color mixing in her weaving. Mary is highly motivated by the project's success in bettering the lives of women in her community.

Mary's primary aspirations are to continue funding her children's education and eventually invest in livestock to create a more stable future income. She hopes her children will achieve financial security and independence through stable employment, a stark contrast to the unpredictable nature of casual work she faces. Mary deeply appreciates the customers who purchase her baskets, recognizing their support as integral to her improved life. She is grateful for the sense of purpose and motivation the project has provided, and she hopes it will continue to empower other women in her community to build better lives.p