Atanansi Mbiro (Ssalongo) a resident of Bukula Village in Nairambi Sub County in the Buvuma Island district recalls trying to control alcohol and failing until he chose to completely give up drinking.

Despite lacking a daily source of income at the time, Mbiro could hardly miss visiting the bar, and upon returning home, wrestling between him, his wife and his children would start. Thanks to the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the government for introducing the mentorship program to his community. Through repeated meetings and interaction with his mentor, Mbiro managed to completely give up on drinking alcohol, a serious link he says was the major cause of all sorts of gender-based violence at his home.

“At first I tried to reduce the quantity of what I used to drink but it did not work out, my mentor asked me to try completely giving up after showing me the risk and dangers of alcohol. After meditating upon the future of my children, my health, and this disrespect I had caused to myself, I took a bold decision to stop drinking.” He reveals that it was hard for him to convince his wife that he lacked money yet he returned drunk every day. The fact is that I did not have money but I used to bank on my friends in the bar.

World over, the alcohol industry spends billions to increase the consumption rate and profits ignoring the risk of violence and harm caused to women and children. According to Mbiro, his children had turned into academic tourists since they could spend almost the entire term moving to school, and then the management send them back to pick up school fees. “How would I manage to meet my responsibilities such as paying for school fees when my entire body was weakened by hungover? All I used to do was return late in the night, ask for the food I did not buy, beat up everyone, and sleep and then wake up late in the day to go back and drink again.”

Currently, Mbiro embraced the strategy of deciding as a whole family on every matter at his home. He has realized the beauty of the garden and has again resorted to utilizing the land under their possession. He together with his wife ensures that their gardens for cassava, banana, and coffee are well maintained and it is the children’s responsibility to take care of animals and birds kept at home.

At home, they keep rabbits, and hens have increased from two to twelve in a period of one and a half years. The family has also invested in piggery and goat keeping. In case of any harvest, it is the wife who receives and as well accounts for the money. Their vision is educating children and as well building a good house.