Our Stories

Personal journeys of transformation, hope, and empowerment from the women of Ting'a Malo Self Help Group.

"Rakuom ong'eyo kaka nindo" - Everyone adapts and finds their way
Rosa Adhiambo Awidhi

Rosa Adhiambo Awidhi

Group Member & Community Educator

"
"We educate everyone and support each other and that's how we help ourselves. Through this group, I found my voice and purpose again."

Rosa's story begins with loss and isolation but transforms into one of community leadership and empowerment. After losing her husband and facing the double stigma of widowhood and HIV, she found hope in Ting'a Malo.

Today, she leads community education sessions, helping other women understand their rights and access healthcare services. Her journey from silence to advocacy inspires new members daily.

Joined Ting'a Malo: January 2023
Mary with her university graduate daughter
Mary Akoth Odongo

Mary Akoth Odongo

Founding Member & Mother

From Despair to University Dreams

"When my husband died, I thought my children's education dreams died with him," Mary reflects. "I was HIV-positive, widowed, and had no source of income. The future looked impossible."

Through Ting'a Malo's education support fund and skills training programs, Mary learned tailoring and started a small business. More importantly, she found a community that believed in her children's potential.

"Today that child is a woman in her own house who God has blessed with a healthy child. My daughter graduated university and now helps other young women in our community."

Mary's daughter became the first university graduate from their village. Her success story motivated the group to formalize their education support program, which has since helped 15 more young people access higher education.

Impact Highlight:

Mary's success led to the establishment of our Education Support Fund, which has provided scholarships to 15+ students.

Grace Atieno

Grace Atieno

Skills Trainer & Entrepreneur

Breaking Stigma Through Skills

Grace's journey with Ting'a Malo began when she was at her lowest point. The stigma surrounding her HIV status had left her isolated and without means to support her three children.

"The group taught me that my worth isn't determined by my HIV status," Grace explains in her testimony. Through beadwork and tailoring training, she discovered talents she never knew she had.

Now, Grace runs a successful tailoring business and trains other members in craft-making. Her products are sold in local markets and through the group's collective marketing efforts.

25+
Women Trained
KSh 40k
Monthly Income

Our Collective Journey

How 30 women became a force for change

2022

Group Formation

2025

Official Registration

75+

Lives Impacted

What We've Achieved Together:

  • Established sustainable income sources for all members
  • Supported 15+ children through university education
  • Created a stigma-free support network
  • Developed healthcare advocacy programs
  • Built partnerships with local organizations
"Alone we are strong, together we are unstoppable. Ting'a Malo has shown us that our past doesn't define our future."

More Member Stories

Achieng's Success

Education Impact

From dependency to independence through microfinance and skills training.

Onyango's Story

Group Activities

How peer support improved her health outcomes and medication adherence.

Helen Wegola

Community Leader

From isolation to becoming a voice for widowed women's rights in the community.

Beryl Akinyi

Agricultural Entrepreneur

Building food security through collective farming and agricultural training.

Mary Akoth

Youth Mentor

Empowering vulnerable youth through education and life skills programs.

Karen Akeyo

Health Advocate

Breaking stigma through community education and health awareness campaigns.

Leadership Spotlight

Meet our Chairperson

Milka Nyakio Wanja

Milka Nyakio Wanja

Chairperson & Founder

"When I started this group, I had a vision of women supporting women. Today, seeing our members thrive, watching their children graduate from university, witnessing the transformation from despair to hope – this is why we exist."

Milka's leadership journey began from personal experience. Understanding the challenges faced by women in similar situations, her vision was simple yet powerful: create a space where women could support each other without judgment.

Under her leadership, Ting'a Malo has grown from a small support group to a registered CBO with ambitious plans for expansion. Her advocacy work has helped change community attitudes toward HIV and widowhood.

Leadership Achievements:

  • • Led group registration as official CBO
  • • Established partnerships with healthcare providers
  • • Developed sustainable funding strategies
  • • Advocated for widows' rights at community level

Share Your Story

Every story matters. If you've been touched by our work or want to share your journey, we'd love to hear from you.

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