From a life full of challenges to one marked by growth and shared responsibilities, Kevin Mwinjiro and his wife, Bertha Pensulo, recount their transformative experience with the Tiyambe Project. The couple, hailing from T.A. Ngongoliwa, Nansonia Estate in Thyolo, describes how the initiative introduced them to new perspectives on gender roles, impacting both their home and their livelihood.
“Before the project, I thought my role was limited to washing dishes, cooking, and drawing water,” Bertha explains. “I believed men should be the sole providers, and I did not engage in tasks like farming.” Her husband, Kevin, a motorbike mechanic, shared a similar view, balancing his work with little involvement in household chores. “While I wanted to contribute more at home, my day job kept me from taking on responsibilities like farming,” he shares. “The project, however, helped us see how supporting each other could improve
our lives.”
The Tiyambe Project’s performances, which emphasized collaboration between men and women, struck a chord with the couple. Motivated by the messages, they began working together more closely, setting a goal to eventually own a milk cow, a goat, and a chicken as a source of livelihood and sustainability. “Now, when I am at work, I know Bertha is tending to the cattle and handling things around the farm,” Kevin shares. “The manure from the cattle has also been useful for farming, which has boosted our quality of life.” Reflecting on her shift in perspective, Bertha adds, “The messages on gender equality truly resonated with me. They helped me see that both men and women contribute to the family’s success.” The couple’s collaborative efforts have not only brought peace into their
home but also improved their standard of living.
Despite the progress, challenges persist. Kevin points out issues with his mother-in-law, who sometimes makes him feel unwelcome in the home. “She tells me this is not my place, even when I’m here to work or help out,” he notes. “I have built a pit latrine by myself, yet I face constant reminders that this is not truly my home.”
Kevin encourages men to attend gatherings that offer growth opportunities, emphasizing, “If men do not engage with these spaces, they miss out on important lessons for building a better life.” Bertha, too, has advice for women: “We waste too much time by not investing in ourselves or our families. Working together brings not only peace but also progress.”
The Mwinjiro family’s journey illustrates the transformative power of the Tiyambe Project, which, through promoting gender equality, has fostered development and strengthened bonds within households.
