Covid-19 Response: Engaging Vulnerable Communities

The Covid- 19 pandemic has upended the lives of many people across the world but it has had a disproportionate impact on the most marginalized groups –women, children, youth, and persons with disabilities.

The pandemic-induced economic decline has pushed these people into poverty and further away from access to good diets and economic participation.

In October 2020, Nguzo Africa partnered with KCDF through funding from the I &M Foundation to offer relief, rehabilitation and help forge sustainable livelihoods for marginalized families in Narok.

“In response to the pandemic, we started a project, SPEAR (Success in Pandemic Economic and Adaption Recoveries). Through the help of local leaders such as chiefs, we were able to identify 206 households from Narok West, South, and Narok North.

Under “The 3 Chicken Initiative,” some vulnerable households received 3 chicks while others benefited from 4Kgs of certified hybrid maize seeds and chain link fence to contain animals from accessing their kitchen gardens,” offers Hillary Cheruiyot, Project officer- extension and support officer, Nguzo Africa.

The beneficiaries were also taken through training that equipped them with entrepreneurial skills, health practices for themselves and their livestock including chicken and life skills to enable them to rebuild their lives and create sustainable sources of income.

Samuel Naimadu is a member of Ololulunga physically handicapped self-help group. Towards the end of the year, he received three chicks that have now grown chickens and provides his household with eggs and chicken manure.

“I was very happy when I got the chicken. My wife, Fidelis Naimadu, and I eat the eggs, and I plan to later buy the “Kienyeji” (free-range) rooster to boost egg production. The cost of eggs around here is Ksh 15,” he offers

Maize Seeds

Joel keiwa, also a member of the self-help group is very grateful to the I &M Foundation and KCDF for the support he received in February this year. “I don’t even know where to start because I am filled with gratitude. Before KCDF came through for us, I was surviving precariously. I was given 4 Kg of maize seeds which I planted and harvested 5 sacks of maize. I have two wives and 20 children so I gave one sack to each wife, helped some families, and sold the rest to neighbouring schools.”

Paulo Sopia, leader of Narok Disability Integrated Program says that before receiving support from Nguzo Africa, they were confused and bordering frustration. “The pandemic wreaked havoc in persons with disabilities because of the economic recession and restrictions that followed. Thankfully, we were among that received chicks. Mine has already started to lay and we eat and sell some of the eggs. Others received energy-saving jikos and solar lanterns. We are very happy and empowered to build our livelihoods,” he shares.

While expressing gratitude to the I &M Foundation and KCDF, Cheruiyoit appeals for more support in the form of incubators and goats. “To make the project more sustainable, we are hoping to partner with KCDF again and have the groups supported with incubators to produce more chicks. For instance, 30 individuals who received the chicks in Narok West formed a group and sought funding for an incubator. That way, they are able to earn a source of income while benefiting other people in their community. Also, the marginalized groups would really benefit if they can get goats to further their livelihoods,” he offers.