In a conflict-affected area of Baringo County, the Golden Heart Women Group, a close-knit group of 18 women, has become a vital lifeline for families displaced by banditry. Bringing together members from the host community and those displaced from high-risk areas such as Arabal, Mukutani, and Baringo North, the group reflects a powerful model of coexistence and social cohesion.
“One day during a church service, we saw families arriving who had nothing,” she says. “They were tired, afraid, and didn’t know where to go.”
Moved by their vulnerability, church leadership called upon congregants to offer temporary shelter. Without hesitation, members of the Golden Heart Women Group opened their homes.
“I hosted two families and their children,” Jane explains. “It was not easy because my resources were already limited, but I could not turn them away.”
This act of solidarity came at a cost. Hosting displaced families placed significant strain on already scarce household resources, and no immediate support was received from local government structures. Still, the group remained committed to protecting those in need.
“As the Golden Heart Women Group, we chose to stand with them,” Jane says. “Even when we had little, we shared what we had so that everyone could feel safe.”
Recognizing that shelter alone was not enough, Jane encouraged displaced families to join the group’s Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) as a pathway to recovery.
“I told them, ‘If we save together, we can grow together,’” she recalls. “That is how they started rebuilding their lives.”
Through the VSLA, members accessed small loans supported by contributions and income from casual labor. Over time, this financial inclusion enabled families to regain independence, moving from temporary shelter into rented homes and eventually starting small businesses.
“One of the families I hosted now sells shoes in Marigat town,” Jane says with pride. “Another opened a grocery shop. When I see them standing on their own, I feel encouraged.”
Additional support from ActionAid through the Africa Women Voices for Peace Project, particularly the provision of tents for hire, further strengthened the group’s financial base.
“These tents have helped the Golden Heart Women Group a lot,” Jane explains. “When we rent them out, the income goes back to the group. It increases our savings and helps more members access loans.”
Today, all internally displaced persons (IDPs) supported by the 18 members of the Golden Heart Women Group have achieved a level of stability with their families. The group is now in the process of registering as a Community-Based Organization (CBO), a step that will enable them to access funding opportunities and expand their impact.
“We are no longer where we started,” Jane reflects. “We are building something that can support even more people.”
Despite ongoing insecurity in the region, Jane continues to champion a culture of compassion and collective responsibility within the Golden Heart Women Group.
“We cannot ignore those who are suffering,” she says. “If someone comes to us in need, we must help.”
To date, at least three members of the Golden Heart Women Group have hosted multiple displaced families who have since transitioned to stable living conditions and integrated into the local community. Many no longer wish to return to their areas of origin due to persistent insecurity.
“Our community has become their home,” Jane adds. “And together, we are stronger.”
Author: Rulia Nelline, Project Officer for Africa Women Voices for Peace Project. Edited by: Ezra Kiriago ,Communications Coordinator ActionAid Kenya