By Amos Wemanya | Project officer
Sustainable development for all –Kenya is implementing a project with the youth in Malava, where we aim to reduce poverty in the area and provide employment for the majority of the youth and thereby reduce carbon emissions as result of embracing cleaner technologies in the activities that the youth are going to be carrying out.
A survey was done to establish a suitable location where SDfA-Kenya is setting up a community workshop/resource center for the youth. The center will be used for training the youth to make solar powered lanterns and other products.
Already SdfA-Kenya has purchased some of the materials and equipments that will be needed to assemble the solar powered lanterns in the area by the youths, and is in the process of meeting the youth to establish various talents and skills that can be tapped within the workshop to enable them establish which other products can be produced depending on the varsity of talent they will have identified.
From the meetings, it is evident that the youth have talent and if only it was to be tapped that we are to benefit. Lack of support has and still is their main challenge; this is noted whenever we have been holding meetings. The wide ranging skill that the youths in this area have is amazing, right from woodwork, metal work, marketing, drawing, to mention but a few.
Capacity building trainings have already began with the youth being trained on savings and micro enterprise, such that once they start making their products from the workshop, they can be able to save on the proceeds and thereby be able to improve on their livelihoods. Since the main aim of this project is to reduce poverty and enhance sustainability.
Main Challenge So far: Government bureaucracy in finalizing transfer for a piece of land we have identified as the project main center is taking too long. we have.
Equipments and Materials: we have purchased materials such as LEDs, Mini Solar panels, Rechargeable batteries and switches for use in this project. The materials acquired are enough for production of the initial solar lamps. We are still appealing for more help in acquiring necessary equipments. We are looking for any type of equipments for a metal work workshop, as well as tools for art, branding among others.
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