Member Profile: Tei Wa Wo

TEI WA WO is a women-led community based group operating in Kitui district , Kenya. It was formed by 30 women in 2000, formalized in 2003 as a self help group and was re-registered as a community based organization in 2007. The organization has 35 active members and also acts as an umbrella of 420 caregivers from 12 groups that the group has mentored to form. TEI WA WO seeks to improve the living standard of marginalized and poor people in the society including people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. As a member of GROOTS Kenya Association (a national network of self help and community based organizations), the group has received both technical and sometimes financial support to enhance its growth and development.

TEI WA WO group is located in Kitui district in the southern part of Kenya. Most parts of the district are semi-arid and arid with very erratic and unreliable rainfall. Women have to walk for 5kilometres or more to access water, farming is a problen due lack of rains and water born diseases have been on the inrease as the availlable water is not safe for use. The group has worked with ADRA to provide money maker machines for people living with HIV and AIDS to pump water from shallow wells in the dried river beds to irrigate their crops. Two group members have also attended worshops on water technologies including water sanitation and harvesting, Following the training, the group has submitted proposals to Raincatcher International and A single drop to install water tanks in a school and community resource centre. However, the community still require more support to enhance acccess to water as it is the main problem in the area.

TEI WA WO community based organization begun as a merry go round of women who were involved in contributing money and food to help the needy among themselves. In 2002, a group representing these women and the community approached GROOTS Kenya to expand their focus and networking. In 2003, 10 members were trained by GROOTS Kenya as trainer of trainers to build the capacity of the community in responding to HIV and AIDS. Currently the group has more than 200 active caregivers divided in 12 groups depending on their locations. Due to problems encountered during caregiving, the group with support from GROOTS Kenya has developed other programs on chldren rights, economic emowerment for orphans and vulnarable children and people living with HIV and AIDS, farming and water to reduce poverty in the area.