I laugh so I won't cry : Kenya's women tell the stories of their lives / Helena Halperin.

Includes index.

Portrait A. Zildah Kirwoi, farmer (Wundanyi) -- 1. Deliberate change and unintended consequences -- Portrait B. Irene Katete, social service worker (Kajiado) -- Portrait C. Margaret Obonyo, farmer (Kakamega) -- 2. Arranging a marriage -- Portrait D. Catherine Obungu, secretary (Nairobi) -- Portrait E. Saadia Abubakar, samosa seller (Malindi) -- 3. Husbands, co-wives, and mothers-in-law -- Portrait F. Constance Tanui, teacher (Kobujoi) -- 4. Raising children for an inscrutable world -- Portrait G. A.I.C. Girls' Primary Boarding School -- 5. 1985-2002 : we go hungry to educate our children -- Portrait H. Grace Nyawira, fruit seller (Kayole) -- 6. Chaos and high hopes : the reintroduction of free primary education -- Portrait I. Wanjiru Mwangi, secretary (Mombasa) -- 7. Women's work -- Portrait J. Hadija Ali, hawker (Kayole) -- 8. Sources of joy -- Portrait K. Lydia Kalaghe, farmer (Wundanyi) -- Portrait L. Ayuta Women's Group, mat makers (Wajir) -- 9. Seeking solutions through solidarity : women's groups -- Portrait M. Rose Barmaasai, church worker (Eldoret) -- 10. To become a woman and leave childish ways : female genital cutting -- 11. The other Kenyans : Asians and Europeans -- 12. 1995-2002 : dreading the future -- Portrait N. Making peace in Wajir -- Epilogue. The new Kenya : rebirth or repackaging?