Community Library Built Thanks to a Successful Local Fundraising Training
August 3, 2024Yatima outreach, providing a road to wholesomeness in Bungoma County
August 3, 2024Introduction.
Akukuranut Development Trust (ADT) is a local non-profit organization in Busia County that partnered with KCDF to implement the ‘Beekeeping for Poverty Alleviation and Livelihood Sustainability in Rural Communities Project’ to empower vulnerable households that are languishing in poverty within their community. ADT realized that beekeeping would be a suitable solution as it is a low-capital investment opportunity that generates favorable incomes that can lead to sustainable livelihoods, improved living standards, and stable sources of income since honey harvesting is done more than three times annually. After thorough vetting and assessment through Community Health Volunteers and local administrators, ADT recruited beneficiaries who are vulnerable HIV/AIDS infected or affected. The beneficiaries who hailed from Teso South Sub County and Teso North Sub County attended a 5-day training course aimed at equipping them on bee-keeping production for sustainable income.Local Fundraising Actions.
Pamoja for Change, a project innovated by KCDF in partnership with Wilde Ganzen, comprises an upgraded philanthropic strategy that aims at building the communities’ confidence by expecting them to raise half the amount of the project’s grant money, while P4C matches with the remaining half. Through this model, KCDF collaborated with ADT to implement a bee-keeping project geared towards improving the livelihoods of Busia County locals. The total project cost estimated at KES 2,000,000 was completed successfully by ADT who raised KES 1,000,000 (KES 500,000 in cash and KES 500,000 in kind) with KCDF matching that amount with KES 1,000,000.Project Implementation.
Anyoun Kolanya women group is among the 28 vulnerable groups that have been supported by ADT under this project. The group which has been working with ADT since 2019 is in Kolanya Sub Location in Angurai East Ward of Teso North Sub County. It has a total membership of 25 (all women) who are infected or affected by HIV/AIDS and are supporting 113 orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) (61 boys and 52 girls.)
The group was formed in early 2019 as a savings group and was later trained on Savings and Internal Lending Communities (SILC) methodology by ADT. Due to the financial constraints that they were experiencing, ADT empowered them to engage in income-generating activities that would generate more income to supplement their savings. The members decided to venture into beekeeping, an idea that ADT supported by providing them with 5 beehives to start with, in 2022. The members were trained on apiculture before they were given the hives. During the process, they agreed to set up an apiary in one of the member’s farms in Aduket village.
Since the group embarked on income-generating activities in 2022, they have accumulated a total of KES. 32,300/= which has been reinvested into their savings as a revolving fund. This fund allows members to access soft loans within a period of 1 to 3 months, with low interest rates of 10%. These funds have been instrumental in improving their livelihoods. Most members utilize the funds to pay school fees, purchase school uniforms for their children, acquire farm supplies, cover medical expenses, and meet various day-to-day needs.
Altogether, the group has amassed a loan fund totaling KES. 246,000, which will be distributed among the members thereby marking the conclusion of one cycle and commencing another. The group expresses deep appreciation for the invaluable in-kind support and various services offered by ADT and KCDF.
Altogether, the group has amassed a loan fund totaling KES. 246,000, which will be distributed among the members thereby marking the conclusion of one cycle and commencing another. The group expresses deep appreciation for the invaluable in-kind support and various services offered by ADT and KCDF.
