Projects

Large-scale agricultural project for women in Kombola launched in 2023, in close cooperation with the Vastenactie in the Netherlands.

This project, launched in April 2023, involves a combination of agriculture, (fruit and shade) trees near the houses that will benefit at least 15 families and workshops on water management and pesticide use, among other things. The first harvest has now provided sufficient food security for the population until the second harvest in the fall. This successful project was made possible in part by the Lent Action (‘Vastenactie’) and Solidarity Meal Nuenen 2023.

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Initially, the idea was to invest in more goats. But at the suggestion of the local government, the first three chicken farms are now a fact. Plans for new farms, in e.g. Marsabit, are now under development.

Chickens are a cheap source of protein with meat and eggs. However, due to food and water problems, the population has become far too small. Six girls together, accompanied by a parent group and a poultry specialist, set up the first chicken farm in Merti. In this way they can build an independent existence and meet a clear need of the community. The second and third farms are in Isiolo and Gafarsa – under the supervision of Rukia Ibrahim, the poultry group teamlead of Gafarsa.
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Five young women have started a goat farm and are building an income for their families.

The women have built a compound for the animals on land acquired free of charge from a family and have provided food, water (with a 5000 litre tank) and antibiotics against common livestock diseases. In addition, the animals are given extra vitamins. A maximum of about 100 goats live in the compound, so they have enough freedom of movement. The animals are sold to restaurants and hotels, among others. The group of women, three of whom were able to attend secondary school with MOV support, is led by Kamila Mohamed; she completed a master in agricultural biotechnology at the University of Nairobi with MOV support.

Three groups of five girls each will be trained as beekeepers. The girls start their businesses in the autumn in Merti, Isiolo and Muchuro, each with about 15 hives.

There will also be a bee house. This will provide the hives with shelter in bad weather and protection against wild animals. The girls will receive training, also in business administration, and support from the local government and from Hadija Huka, senior chief of Muchuro. When the first honey can be harvested depends on the amount of pollen available. It’s buzzing around that it could be ready in a few months after the start. Half of the first income will be used to invest in extra hives.
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Every year in Isiolo County, about 400 students enroll in medical training.

They buy their medical uniforms in far away Nairobi. Five girls, three of whom are accomplished seamstresses, will open a sewing workshop in Isiolo to provide these students and health workers in the region with medical clothing. The boutique will be based in Isiolo and the plan is to open outlets in Merti, Kinna and Garbatulla sub county by 2023. We set up this project in cooperation with pop-up sewing workshop ‘De Dames van de Zijden Draad.’ Have a look: https://www.facebook.com/Dames-van-de-zijden-draad-pop-up-naaiatelier-618477534923753/
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Thirty farming families at work

Plowing by hand, drought messes up harvests, no money to buy a few trees for some shade. It’s all about to change. We support about 30 farmer families along the Ewaso Ngiro River near Merti as well as the local Isiolo Conservationists Trust (ICT), which is committed to nature and biodiversity. With the purchase of a mobile water pump, hundreds of shade and fruit trees, vegetable seeds and simple materials for working the land, we want to help the local community on the road to higher yields, better income and more independence. At the same time, together with ICT, we want to contribute to the fight against the negative effects of climate change. Six women are pulling this, as they say themselves, life-changing project.

20 years ago, in 2000, the MOV was able to get the first four Borana girls in Kenya to go to school. That number has risen to about 350, of which 50 have had a higher vocational or university education. We have broadened our focus to income and independence for women. Yet, the basis for change lies in education. That is why we continue to support girls.

The schools involved are paid directly three times a year, without the intervention of other organizations. Controls on spending and study results is done locally in collaboration with the parents, village elders and local educational organizations. The educational project supervisor of the MOV foundation has a monitoring function. A high school education requires an investment of € 2000 per girl. This includes the boarding school because the girls come from rural areas.
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Five women open a Mpesa shop for mobile payments

Five young women opened an Mpesa shop: popular shops in Kenya where people go for mobile payments based on SMS. The country has thousands of those shops, where household appliances and electronics are often sold as well. The five girls have organized themselves in an entrepreneurial group and opened their first store in Isiolo. Much of the profit will be reinvested. The plan is to open, in 2023, new stores in Merti and after that in Garba-Tula. More about Mpesa: www.safaricom.co.ke
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