In the semi-arid landscapes of Makueni County, Kenya, one woman’s quest to counter the devastating impacts of climate change has earnt her a place as a respected community leader.

Before joining ActionAid’s Gender Responsive Alternatives to Climate Change program funded by the Australian NGO Cooperation Program, 41-year-old Ruth Matheka struggled to feed her family.

Her husband was the sole breadwinner, while she attempted to grow crops that would often wither weeks after the rain stopped. School fees were a constant challenge, and sometimes her children would miss weeks of education.

Ruth worked with ActionAid to became one of 45 local trainers trained in agroecology and pasture management, training 225 community members on techniques to adapt to changing climate conditions.

On her five-acre farm, she now practices agroecology, which emphasises crop diversity, integrated pest management, and soil moisture retention techniques. Her farm produces pigeon peas, vegetables, pawpaw, indigenous trees, and bottle gourds, a traditional crop with multiple uses, from nutrition to utensils. She has also established a fruit and indigenous tree nursery, which she sells to generate extra income.

Ruth’s journey has also inspired others. As a member of a women’s group, she shares her knowledge by training fellow women in tree nursery establishment and pasture management.

She was honored to represent her community at the 1st Agroecology Symposium in Nairobi, where she connected with farmers from across the country, viewed a wide variety of seeds, and engaged with policymakers. From this experience, she plans to help her group establish a local seed bank.