Improving Livelihoods for 100 Women in Rural Kenya

Well, it has been quite a while since we posted any information regarding this project..but we are happy to report that lives of women continue to be touched, this despite many setbacks, the latest of which was the post-election violence which gripped the country in early January, and which threatened to erode some of the gains made.

As reported earlier in the initial update, 16 women who graduated from the business management class were scheduled to undergo training by Kenchic in collaboration with a credit organization, which was to provide start up capital. 3 women so far have been able to undergo this training, due to scarcity of funds to cater for the start up needs of all the 16 participants. They are currently awaiting the disbursement of this start up capital which has been delayed by the post election difficulties experienced.

The craft training is set to resume with specific focus on avocado oil production for the women, and this is spearheaded by Okok Widows Group. The initial strategy is to provide the training and also provide the equipment to enable the production.The second phase is to provide craft training in jewellery making, table mat, baskets using water hyacinth (this is a locally available material found in Lake Victoria and whose removal to use as a raw material, is in itself a positive action at saving the lake). Already an instructor has been identified to undertake this, possibly in the next 2 or 3 weeks. The women are very excited about this prospect and are willing to participate in its realization.However they have expressed concern about markets for their products, and we are actively engaged in sourcing for the same using the internet and other contacts.

The tissue banana experiment went well with Mama Rose of Imani Women Group already harvesting bananas from her banana trees, and this has assured her immediate family of food suply. In fact during the anxiety that gripped the country as a result of the post election violence, Mama Rose was able to ensure that food was available, thanks to her bananas!

Sylvia has completed her course at the Center and assists students of the nearby St Anne's Academy to learn how to use computers. She is currently waiting to join a local polytechnic to pursue an Information Technology related course.

The major challenges continue to be resources, both financial as well as material, but this has further been compounded by the post election violence, which has disrupted markets, access to raw materials, and some of the women were even displaced and had to be temporarily hosted at the Center. Even though the situation is stabilizing now, much still needs to be done to ensure the effective participation of the women, as well as the much needed support.