Income Generation Training for Rural Women July 1995 - June 1996 Siaya, Kenya Funded by: Voluntary Deposits for International Aid (Japan) Implemented by: ICA Kenya, ICA Japan and local people
PROJECT OVERVIEW Siaya is a rural area in western Kenya with a population of 750,000. People there are suffering from poverty, and many families are unable to support themselves. Health and sanitary problems (diseases like malaria, AIDS and malnutrition) have further worsened living conditions. ICA implemented projects in health and sanitation in 1994 and agriculture in 1995, with 15 women's groups. Since October 1996, a drought has deepened the existing food shortage crisis. The women's groups started small-scale animal husbandry enterprises which will provide them with a stable source of food and income throughout the year. An advanced health training course on family planning, nutrition, disease control and so on was conducted for health workers . Women are now highly motivated to create a better life for their families and communities. Traditional males are becoming increasingly conscious of changing social trends and gender responsibilities.
1. ÒWe are ready to start a new enterprise to support our families and community.Ó WomanÕs eyes looking into the future.
Maps
	2. Map of Kenya. Siaya is located about 470 km northwest of Nairobi and takes about 7 hours by car.
	3. Map of the 10 divisions in the Siaya district (population 750,000). The project is being carried out in the Uranga and Yala divisions, which are inhabited by people with the lowest income and health in Siaya.
Life in Siaya
	4. In Siaya, most village huts are made of grass and mud. Basic utilities like electricity, gas and running water, are unheard of here. A large part of the women's daily waking hours is consumed in fetching water and firewood from as far as 20 kilometres away.
	5. Average number of children per family is 7. It is very difficult to provide sufficient food, healthcare and education to all the family members on a low income. Women and children, whose status is low in the society, suffer from poor education and malnutrition.
	6. Many people in Siaya live below the poverty line. A drought which lasted for about 5 months from November 1996 made their life more difficult. All crops, except for cassava, were destroyed, and lots of cattle died. People suffered and some died, from lack of water and food.
Project History
1994.7 - 1996.6
	7. The Health and sanitation project was implemented with 15 womenÕs groups in 1994. A water tank and toilet were constructed, solar cookers were introduced , and a primary health care seminar was conducted to ensure a better life for these women.
	8. Stable source of nutrition and income is necessary to improve health and sanitation. An income generation project was conducted in 1995-96. The main activity was a variety of agricultural trainings.
	9. Raising peopleÕs consciousness is one of the aims of training. For sustainable development, people are taught to understand why knowledge and techniques are necessary. ICA conducted trainings such as leadership training for human and organizational development.
- Activities in 1996.7 - 1997.6 -
Business Management Training
	10. Each group started an income generation activity in 1996. Business and management training was provided to give them direction. It was a five day event, and participants learned about small scale business, how to manage agriculture, animal husbandry , and so on.
	11. Women groups identified the income generation activity appropriate for them through the training. 10 groups chose poultry keeping, 1 chose zero grazing, and 4 chose horticultural farming.
A. Poultry Keeping
	12. 100 chickens each were distributed to the 10 groups which chose poultry keeping. Chicken houses were constructed to implement poultry keeping as a business.
	13. Iron sheets, wire and nails were distributed to womenÕs groups. They constructed chicken houses with fenced yards with these and other indigenous materials such as wood and mud.
	14. Each group constructed a self designed chicken house. This group made one with a roof of grass. The baskets seen in the forefront are for catching chickens.
	15. Chickens walking around in the sun. Chickens are growing healthy having enough natural food such as maize and fish, exercise, and plenty of sun. At night, the chickens sleep in an enclosed coop because of dangerous predators like wild dogs and hyenas.
	16. The poultry business has a lot of potential, because demand for chicken eggs and meat is high in KENYA. The business can bring good income, especially in the Christmas season, as prices of chicken meat rises.
B. Zero Grazing
	17. One group started zero-grazing. A milk cow providing about 7 - 8 liter of milk was given to the group.
	18a. The cow is housed in a cowshed constructed by the group.
	18b. Nepia Grass which helps milk production, is the staple food.
	19. The cow bore a calf. Everybody is very happy about the new born calf. The calf is with the mother only when it's fed, and is taken back to the shed soon after.
C. Horticultural Farming
	20. 4 groups chose horticultural farming. They had little harvest in the first half of1997 due to the extended drought. However, some groups have been trying to expand their business by planting fruits such as pineapple and banana in addition to vegetables like tomato and sukuma.
	21. Working at demonstration farms is not only a means of income generation, but also helps the women to strengthen group unity. It provide women who are committed to household work most of the day, the opportunity to communicate with others.
Advanced Health Training
	22. Ms. Beatrice Achieng giving a lecture on family planning. Some of the womenÕs groups members became health workers in their communities, after they participated in the primary health care seminar in 1994. Advanced health training was held in April 1997 so that they can work more effectively.
	23. The training was a participatory one. Role playing helped participants to have a deeper understanding of the topics. Participants were really keen on learning, and contributed a lot of ideas.
	24. Participants in a seminar on sanitation, observing sites where pathogens are likely to be found.
	25. Male as much as female participation, is needed to solve health and sanitary problems . Gender issues was one of the hotly discussed topics during the training.
	26. Maki Hasegawa, an ICA:JAPAN staff, presenting certificates at the closing ceremony. Certificates were handed to all the participants. They were proud of it, and promised to continue being active health promoters.
	27. Participants dancing with their certificates in hand. They promised to set a good example and help others understand the importance of knowledge about health and sanitation.
MPT Self Education Trip
	28. Representatives from the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications (MPT), Japan, visited Siaya on October 21, 1996. They visited two womenÕs groups, observed demonstration farms and enjoyed talking with the villagers.
	29. The representativesÕ visit was meaningful for the both sides. It greatly encouraged the womenÕs groups. The representatives said that it was an excellent opportunity for them to learn about society and culture of these people.
Study Tour
	30. Eight Japanese students from Kobe University visited Siaya in March 1997 to learn about village life, the ICA project, and educational situation. They exchanged ideas with villagers through discussion, and visited a primary school among other activities. They also enjoyed working at the demonstration farm with the womenÕs group.
	31. They exchanged ideas with the ICA:SIAYA team about the project and community development.
	32. Memorial photo with the Alara womenÕs group. After their return, students shared their new awareness by communicating their experience at primary schools in Japan.
Looking into the Future
	33. Life in the villages covered by the project, is improving. We hope that the womenÕs groups can now be good leaders in their and other communities.
	34. We really hope to create communities where these children can show the same beautiful smile when they grow up.