Stories of Resilience: Meeting the Matriarchs of Tujisaidie

In the penultimate chapter of Emma Glenn's Kenyan journey, sitting down with two remarkable women whose lives were shaped by hardship and sustained by faith left her forever changed by their extraordinary resilience.

One of the greatest honours of my trip was visiting two remarkable women who live in the Tujisaidie community. They welcomed me into their homes and shared stories that I know I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

The first was Lucy Waikiki, who is 82 years old. She told me how, in 1990, bulldozers arrived without warning and demolished the homes in her community. Families had no time to gather their belongings and were left sleeping on the cold ground. Despite such painful memories, Lucy spoke with deep gratitude about Bishop Peter Njenga Karioki, who fought tirelessly on behalf of the community. She explained how families were asked to write their names in a book and answer questions about their households, although many were hesitant, fearful of what lay ahead. No one knew what was going to happen or where they would be taken. Yet, despite their uncertainty, they chose to place their trust in God as they boarded lorries bound for an unknown destination. Those lorries brought them to what is now the Tujisaidie community.

• 

• 

Lucy described how the immediate support they received through the church and CMS Ireland—including food, clothing and blankets—gave them hope at a time when they had almost none. What struck me most was that the development of the community began by asking people what their priorities were, rather than deciding for them. Community members dug trenches for the water pipes themselves, established a voluntary school feeding programme, built classrooms from iron sheets and later made their own blocks to expand the school. Listening to Lucy speak with such pride about what the community had achieved together was incredibly moving. Despite everything she had endured, she told her story with a smile and with unwavering gratitude to God.

The second lady I had the privilege of meeting was Rachel Njoki, who has reached the incredible age of 100. When I arrived, she was busy chopping cabbage leaves for her animals, yet she immediately stopped what she was doing to welcome me warmly into her home. Like Lucy, Rachel had also experienced the trauma of having her home demolished. She admitted that, in those dark days, she lost all hope and even her desire to live. However, when she arrived in the new community and experienced the love and support shown through the church and CMS Ireland, her hope was restored. She spoke about the power of prayer and the difference that compassion can make in someone's life. Rachel also recalled how, in the early days of the community, every family contributed one shilling each week, despite how difficult that was. It was this shared commitment and willingness to work together that gradually transformed the community. As she reflected on her life, she smiled throughout our conversation, continually praising God for His faithfulness. Her joy, resilience and deep gratitude were truly inspiring.