“God know the plans He has for me”
Because of donors like you, Jeniffer experienced God’s love and provision through her local church.
In the harsh plains of Makindu, Kenya, Jeniffer Mwende Mwenze faced extreme challenges due to drought.
Jeniffer, a retired government worker, returned to her rural home after years of living in Nairobi. Filled with determination for this new beginning, she joined a group of elderly women and began farming. She raised livestock and grew crops, intent on cultivating from the land that had shaped her childhood. But the obstacles quickly made themselves clear: there was no nearby market, pests destroyed crops, and the rains, which once breathed life into the soil, ceased to fall. The land, dry and barren, reflected the struggles of the people.
It is more than just a lack of rain — it is the absence of life. Crops wither before they reach maturity, livestock struggle to find food, and the prices of basic commodities like maize and oil have skyrocketed. In her words, “Drought means hunger for everybody.” She trusted that God would provide, but she couldn’t imagine the ways He did!
Through her local church, Jeniffer joined a savings group run by Tearfund’s partner, Fadhili Trust, where women share their resources together. With a contribution of just 50 Kenyan shillings, she stepped out in faith. To her surprise, this small act bore fruit — her initial investment of 50 shillings turned into 9,000! It was more than money; it was hope, and a reminder of God’s faithfulness. Jeniffer used these funds to improve her farm, buying her first chicken and later a cow, whose milk has nourished her and her family through the dry seasons.
Despite the hardship, Jeniffer remains rooted in her faith, knowing that God’s hand has guided her through every trial. She recalls how God provided her with employment when she needed it most, and protected her during her years of service in Nairobi. Now, in retirement, she reminds herself that He will continue to sustain her, even in this dry and weary land.
Jeniffer joined a Village Savings group run by Tearfund partner Fadhili Trust, where she grew not only in her finances but in community.
Tearfund works to follow Jesus where the need is greatest. For people like Jeniffer, escaping poverty is more than food handouts. Tearfund equips those in need to bring themselves out of poverty, eliciting holistic transformation physically and spiritually.
In Jeniffer’s own words, “God knows the plans He has for me.” Perhaps, by extending our hands, we can be part of that plan, bringing relief, dignity, and hope to a community that refuses to give up.
