Scholars visit Michael’s cassava project

DSC09007Five PATHWAYS scholars (Brian Kilonzi, Marylyn Nyabuti, Eunita Akim, Jemimah Peters, and Justus Lelenguiya) traveled to Murang’a to visit PATHWAYS fourth year scholar, Michael Murigi’s, cassava project. Brian reports, “We had a very successful visit to Michael’s project. We all learned a lot about this drought resistant and nutritious vegetable and took cuttings to plant at our home projects.” Michael’s project has been very successful in transitioning his community members from planting maize, that can fail in this dry area, to cassava that is not only drought resistant but nutritious.  This will go a long way in ensuring food security. The five scholars are to be commended for reaching out to Michael to learn more about cassava to improve their own community projects. Well done!

2013 Annual Conference

Orientation meeting 11_19_11The 8th annual conference was special this year as its emphasis was on the growing alumni group. Three of the alumni Aphonce Oginga, Denis Mtwiri and Michael Murigi organized and planned the entire event. Student Coordinator Catherine Kaimenyi can be proud as she has mentored the scholars to do just this. Third year scholar Hussein Said reviewed the mission, vision, and goals of PATHWAYS.

With the growing emphasis on the alumni group, a guest speaker with over a decade of experience in project implementation, Fred Otieno, was brought in to provide suggestions on the way forward. He noted the levels of engagement in an alumni organization and exactly how to erect an alumni posture from scratch. His message encompassed issues on alumni leadership, structure of the alumni association and the ways of interaction/communication, and even offered the usual misconceptions that tend to be associated with such entities. Kudos, Fred, you did a handsome job! After two days of activities, a quote that the group walked away with was, ‘The best way to predict your future is to create it” –Abraham Lincoln.  Many thanks to Dr. Mbaabu Mathiu, Vice President of PATHWAYS, Catherine Kaimenyi, Student Coordinator, and Monicah Wairimu, Outreach Coordinator, for their dedication and commitment to the scholars and the PATHWAYS mission.

Nyanduko’s Community Project: Brick Making

DSCF0026_2Marylyn Nyanduko (third year scholar) and her community are forging ahead with their brick making business.  From the profits they made in the 1st phase of the project, they were able to secure a larger plot that is closer to the main road. The business has turned out to be very profitable for the community members which helps increase their standard of living and helps them better afford school fees for their children.  See photo.

Third Year Scholar’s Sisal Project Update

sec Brian Kilonzi, a third year scholar, convened a meeting with his budget committee consisting of the Vice-chair, treasurer, secretary, three members in May (see photo).  Brian explains, “One thing I learned is that when members are engaged, especially in decision making, it helps build their confidence and amplify their commitment to the group. More importantly it instills a sense of ownership.” Brian’s project focuses on sisal and other crops.  He and his community will be purchasing a sisal processing machine to add value to the sisal i.e. twine and rope from the sisal bring more income than the sisal plant alone.