Who are you trying to help? What issue are you trying to address?

The project will benefit 30,000 families in the Marsabit, Kenya. The majority of the people are from pastoral communities and they live in a fragile ecosystem. In the face of global climate change, pastoralism is no longer a viable economic activity hence the desire to diversify. Pastoral communities in Kenya derive their livelihood from livestock and livestock based industries. In Marsabit, for example, the poverty rate stands at 83.4% and life expectancy for both men and women is 57.4 and 64 years respectively.

Environmental degradation due to charcoal burning, overstocking, harvesting of wood for building from forest land has resulted in high surface temperature, drying of streams, soil erosion, siltation of dams and shallow wells, poor rainfall patterns and high evaporation rate. In addition, resource based conflict is quite frequent. The project will therefore provide lasting community development through resource development and management, stable livelihood and conservation and management of the environment thus achieving the basic needs of the community, easing livelihood shocks and meeting contingencies.

What is your project and how will it help?

The project, in its integrated approach will address the issue of water shortages for domestic and livestock use, improve food security, conserve and protect the environment. Food, environment and water are critical issues which should not be addressed in isolation without considering the human relationship with the environment. The project aspires to strengthen the abilities of local communities to develop and manage their own resources, protect and conserve the environment and diversify their economic activities. To achieve this goal, the project will focus on the following areas;

1) Bio-Economic livelihood development. The project will develop tree nurseries of indigenous trees which have cultural and medicinal values and plant them in water catchment areas, community land and farms. Fruit trees will also be developed and distributed to local communities for planting in their farms. Through youth and women groups, the project will introduce greenhouse farming and bee-keeping. The greenhouse farmers are expected to plant vegetable seedlings, and oil plant seedlings. The project will supply vegetable and oil plant seedlings to the group. In addition, the project will also provide materials for greenhouse and bee-keeping.

2) Social fencing; Through seminars and workshop training, the pastoral communities will be encouraged to sell off their larger stock and introduce improved breeds of high milk yielding cattle and goats which will be stall fed. Nutritious grass seeds will be provided to farmers with improved breeds.

3) Dry season gardening of drought resistant crops which will include, sorghum, maize, millet, root crops will be introduce to enhance food security.

4) De-siltation of dams to provide quality and quantity water for domestic and livestock use.

How can other people partner with you on your project?

The project intends to form partnerships with donor organizations in the funding in parts of the project activities.

Please detail the resources that you need.

GRAND TOTAL US $ 1,259,511.39

(for budget details, please see the attached document)