This blog was written by our Senior Communications & Events Officer, Megan Henderson.
Group members in Marsabit, Kenya.
Last year supporters like you raised £88,703 to support our newest programme in Marsabit, Kenya. Marsabit has a difficult climate -- it is incredibly dry and men often migrate with cattle for pasture leaving women to look after the children. Often these women did not have the chance to go to school, many cannot read or write, and they do not have a stable income. This is where Five Talents and our partners come in.
The programme in Marsabit has gotten off to a strong start thanks to your gifts, although Coronavirus restrictions did of course slow progress earlier in the year. The Programme Leaders in Marsabit were able to complete much of the planning and programme design early in the year and with small group consultations. They are keen to keep pushing forward. We’d like to introduce you to one of our Marsabit Programme Leaders, Joseph.
“I have always worked for microfinance institutions all of my career. When the Diocese of Marsabit advertised the job for Programme Coordinator, I wanted to apply. I had first heard about the work of Five Talents when a team from the UK visited Marsabit in 2019. I had previously worked at Kenya Women Finance Trust, a microfinance organisation for women, so the work of Five Talents interested me.
Joseph, one of our Programme Leaders in Marsabit.
I am using my experience in microfinance and I am learning too. Change re-energises. I was seeking greener pastures and this role has given me new challenges and opportunities to help others. So far, I can see the programme is providing a platform for dialogue for different groups to openly discuss issues affecting them and chart possible solutions on how to overcome them. The programme has also given the Diocese of Marsabit an avenue to support and help women who do not usually have these opportunities. The poor and vulnerable now have a voice. Through the programme, we are listening and supporting them to make the solutions happen.
We aim to work with what people have and implement their own solutions to their felt needs. Successful implementation will teach people to solve their problems and tackle poverty by working together as opposed to waiting for the government, Church or politicians to give handouts. Women will be able to demonstrate their potential and capability if given the opportunity, by creating wealth for themselves and their community. I look forward to seeing this as Savings Groups are established.”
We had hoped to begin literacy and savings group formation this year, but COVID restrictions on travel and group gatherings (essential in Marsabit where the doctor to patient ratio is 1:63,825) have inevitably delayed us. Joseph and Revd. Elema (our other Programme Leader in Marsabit) have conducted a needs assessment and workshops with local leaders and the local Board. They have also been able to conduct some outreach visits to communities so that members are ready to join once the groups are able to begin meeting.
The next step will be to hire community trainers and conduct the training of trainers who will start with teaching literacy and numeracy - something communities have told us is a priority. We’re excited by all that Joseph and Elema have managed to achieve this year in spite of all the challenges, and we look forward to bringing you more updates from Marsabit as the programme develops.