Empower 500 women in economic development in Kenya

March 2019 Report 

In the last three months Uzima Kenya registered another 20 women into the project. To date 470 women have been reached. The outreach continues as more women and their families see the impact of improved nutrition through better farming methods. Extension Agricultural officers have helped train a total of 50 women who help in training others. Farming will improve as the long rains season is soon approaching. Some of the trained women own model homes where hands-on training takes place formally during scheduled training sessions and informally as women socialize through home visits. Casual home visits are part of the African culture for networking and support.

Board members and some community leaders have made contact with elected officials mostly Women Representatives at the county level while the Chair lady has made contact with the Department of Gender, Youth and sports to seek financial assistance from the Government. There were no school drop outs by the end of 2019 and all students have reported back to school. Those who have completed high school are looking forward to joining institutions of higher education.

Challenges

The same challenges as before still exist although the Board and community leaders are trying to reach to elected leaders in Government to try and access project funds from the Government. Lack of funds is still a major challenge as local and international fund raising continues with minimal success. Other challenges include previous issues e.g reduced crop harvest due to soil erosion from floods in some areas where short rains have been devastating. The long dry season affected most of the farming. There is low political will as the country fights graft with many political leaders facing corruption cases and other cases including murdering young women. The rampant poverty is still a major cause of concern and a barrier to women’s progress.

• Kitchen garden in Western Kenya (DOCX)