b'A THE BUSINESS OF nKenyaEMPOWERMENT: Woman LEADS WITH PURPOSEVictorine Atieno Owino, the manager of a farmers cooperative in southwest Kenya,serves as a pillar of her community.By ELIZABETH OYWAYA, World Ark contributorPhotos by ALLAN GICHIGITWENTY YEARS AGO, VICTORINE ATIENOETHIOPIAOWINO began her career as a volunteer at the Ugunja Community Resource Center in UGANDAsouthwest Kenyas Siaya County. She filled her days organizing books as a librarian andKENYASOMALIAhandling paperwork as an administrative assistant, supporting the centers work building Siaya Countythe skills of local community members.But a common need began to emerge from discussions with its members.Most farmers kept saying that they didnt have finance to expand their enterprises, Atieno recalled. This is how the idea of formingTANZANIAa savings and credit cooperative came up.10| SPRING 2022'