PATHWAYS Leadership for Progress

Kennedy is one of six children in his family. He lost his father in 1996 when he was eight. His mother has done her best to provide fees for Kennedy and his siblings through her income as a peasant farmer, but when unable, has had to rely on additional funds that could be raised from sponsors and local harambees. Kennedy is studying architecture, design and development and his PATHWAYS project is to recycle waste for profit.

“I have a strong willingness…. driven by hope and desire to be an active participant in developing the socio-economic welfare of members of my society…”

2009 Update

There are large amounts of both animal and plastic polluting Kennedy’s rural area of Nígoche Village. These wastes act as breeding grounds for insects like mosquitoes which in turn spread malaria leading to loss of lives and resources.  Given that the village residents who farm have to contend with low soil fertility, some of the waste could be used to fertilize the soil and increase food production and thus generate income for the farmers.

The objective of Kenney’s project is to 1) improve crop production by using animal wastes as manure in the farms; 2) conserve the environment and promote hygiene by utilizing used plastic containers and polythene bags for planting tree seedlings (some of which will be planted in the area and some sold for income generation); and 3) empower the youth through their active involvement in various income generating project activities such as sustainable waste management, group farming, bee-keeping, tree planting and poultry keeping in order to improve the economic status of the community.

Kennedy’s community group responsible for the project when he is at university is comprised of twelve youths who are under the supervision of a local church elder and a community leader (see photo at left).
This year the group has 1) dug ten waste collection pits in different homes (see photo at left) and 2) started the bee-keeping activity to support the main project (see photo at left). The members are working on a periodic contribution to purchase more hives of their own and to buy tree seeds.

Due to the persistent drought in the area since the beginning of the project, the tree nursery portion of the project has been delayed  Though with the onset of rainy season this April, the group made a personal contribution and purchased one hundred and thirty five seedlings.

2010 Update

▪Registered community group with Ministry of Social Services under the Rachuonyo County Council.
▪Increased compost pits for waste management to 17.
▪Planted trees in more than 1500 legs.
▪Erected a poultry house and bought 33 chicks plus their feeding materials (see photo at left).
▪Bought 3 beehives and made a first harvest of 15 liters.
▪Hired a 1 acre piece of land and planted cassava.
▪Planted vegetables i.e. kale, tomatoes, onions and realized an income of 2600KSH ($35).

Plans for 2010-2011
▪Centralize and review project activities.
▪Expand the existing programs.
▪Specialize in activities that can realize the largest amount of income.
▪Drill a borehole for water security.
▪ Hold a fundraising (Harambee) to raise more funds for the project development.
▪ Start a HIV/AIDS awareness programme to educate the members and their associates on the issues relating to the later.

2011 Update

▪One borehole was completed supplying approximately 40 litres of water to 80 people per day. (see left)
▪18 beehives in production (average 40 litres of honey after every 3 months).
▪Over 500 trees planted
▪17 waste collection pits with considerable effect in improving agricultural output.
▪Vegetables successfully produced and used by members.
▪Kshs.16800 realized from cassava farming. (see cassava plant below left)
▪Kshs.3000 realized from maize farming.

Plans for 2011-2012
▪To put up a water supply centre.
▪To construct an apiary
▪To buy water pumps supplying the water to the community supply tank.
▪To sponsor 3 individual boreholes.
▪To collaborate with the other groups to enable us get access to more funds e.g. Constituency Development fund and Youth Enterprise Development Funds
▪To reach out the wider community.