Standing Together on Suicide Prevention Awareness Day: A Call for Hope and Action
THE POWER OF SELF HELP GROUPS IN IMPROVING LIVELIHOODS IN LAIKIPIA COUNTY
According to the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) of Kenya, Laikipia is among the 23 counties that are susceptible to drought. The Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs) of this county constitute more than 80% of the country’s total land area. This resulted in over 2 million people facing severe food insecurity in 2021. In this severe drought, the ultra-poor and marginalized individuals, including those affected by gender-based violence, mental health issues, disabilities, and marginalized women and children, face the greatest hardship. Their reliance on agriculture-based livelihoods and limited alternatives exacerbates their struggle to make ends meet. In response to the challenges faced by the ultra-poor and marginalized individuals, St Martin introduced Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in 2023. The aim was to support these individuals to restart, diversify, and strengthen their livelihoods through training and financial support. The members, grouped into teams of 10-13, voluntarily saved money and participated in capacity-building activities focused on livelihood opportunities resilient livelihoods even amidst the adversities of drought. Through this initiative, the livelihood programme has made a significant impact. It has supported 238 beneficiaries across 21 Self-Help Groups (SHGs). These individuals have been able to restart, strengthen, and diversify their livelihoods, thanks to the training they received. Despite the harsh climate conditions, they have shown remarkable resilience, adapting their livelihoods to withstand the challenges.
AMANI CLUBS
The Amani clubs were Established in 2014 through a collaboration between the National Cohesion and Integration Commission and the Ministry of Education, Amani Clubs are fostering a culture of peace and understanding in Kenyan schools. These student-centered groups aim to promote good relations, harmony, and peaceful co-existence, not just within schools, but also extending to the surrounding communities.
Amani Clubs empower young people to address issues of ethnicity and diversity head-on, planting seeds of tolerance and appreciation for different cultures. They equip students with the skills to navigate challenges peacefully and inspire them to become responsible citizens who promote peace in their daily lives. The clubs stand as a testament to the power of education in transforming societies and building a more peaceful world.
YOUTH PROJECT LAUNCH AND EXPO
Technical and Vocational Training (TVETs) is recognised worldwide as critical for increasing employability, better job prospects and potentially enhancing social inclusion. TVET is a key element of long-life learning systems that aims to equip people with technical skills, expertise and competencies needed in the labour market while providing them also with the personal skills for their future lives in society. Kenya has recognised the potential of TVET as a driving force in addressing youth unemployment, It has recognised that TVET plays an important role in providing the necessary skills to improve employee productivity, occupational integration, economic progression, raise income levels and increase employment opportunities. St. Martin CSA in partnership with the Laikipia County Government launched the Public-private partnership between the two entities. The County Government is responsible for providing TVET services and upgrading VTCs. At the same time, St. Martin CSA will support the County TVET agenda by providing technical support for the development of County policies, the setting up of systems and training programs, training of county staff and the increase of TVET attractiveness in the County. We were honoured to have His Excellency, The Governor County Government of Laikipia - Joshua Irungu, grace the occasion on 30th January 2024, at Rumuruti Stadium. His commitment to the success of our project is a testament to the transformative power of collaboration.
New Year 2024
New Year 2024 with New Director and Renewed Commitment!
As we stepped into the New Year, we were filled with joy as we shared some exciting changes and renewed commitment within our organization. We recently bid farewell to Irene Wamithi, our dedicated Director for the past five years, and welcomed Maurice Muthiga as our new Director. This transition marked a significant moment for us as we continue to grow and evolve.
Wheels of resilient livelihoods
Volunteers plays a significant role in contemporary development in Kenya. At community level, community health volunteers dot every village in Kenya. The 2030 Agenda for sustainable development explicitly recognizes volunteer groups as stakeholders to achieve the 17 SDGs. The Agenda asserts that many of the Sustainable Development Goals call for long-term attitude and behaviour changes and volunteers can facilitate changes in mindsets by raising awareness or championing those changes and inspiring others. It simply is not possible to attain the SDGs without a wide range of people engaged at all stages, at all levels, at all times. Volunteerism is a powerful means for bringing more people into the fold.
“Volunteerism strengthens civic engagement, safeguards social inclusion, deepens solidarity and solidifies ownership of development results”. Unv.org.
Safeguarding vulnerable adults training
We believe in a world where every individual's rights and well-being are safeguarded, especially the vulnerable adults among us. It is our collective responsibility as St. Martin CSA to protect and empower those who may be at risk. On Friday 9th to Saturday 10th June 2023 we will be having a training on safeguarding vulnerable adults to our staff so that they are better equiped.
Empowering Sustainable Livelihood Champions
For more than two decades, St. Martin CSA has been helping vulnerable people and at-risk communities cope with shocks and disasters ranging from the effects of political violence, drought and Covid 19. In 2022, the country experienced its worst drought in 40 years. To a greater extent, the livelihoods of the people of Nyandarua, Laikipia and Baringo counties, where St. Martin has been strengthening community capacities to care for and empower vulnerable people often depend on agriculture and the direct consumption of natural resources. The drought that has been witnessed in the country for 3 consecutive years and with severe impact on the ASALs including in Laikipia and Nyandarua counties has reversed gains made in improving the quality of life of households affected by disabilities, HIV/AIDs, mental illness, gender-based violence and violent conflicts and families with children living in a difficult social situation that excludes them from the rest of society. The quality of life in these 3 counties is directly influenced by the condition of their environment. As a result of the effects of climate variability and climate change, we have witnessed an increased number of households transitioning from food-secure households to food-insecure households, while those food-insecure households are now food hungry.
Annual Report 2022
The annual report for 2022 is now available. We thank all our friends, stakeholder and our staff for their continuous commitment to the mission of St. Martin CSA! It is only through you that we can empower the vulnerable people in our midst to lead a life in dignity and self-determination.
Zero Tolerance To FGM
Female genital mutilation, or FGM, is internationally recognized as a violation of human rights. Yet over 200 million girls worldwide are at risk of undergoing this harmful practice every year, many of them under the age of 15. Many factors contribute to the prevalence of FGM but in every society in which it occurs, it is a manifestation of entrenched gender inequality. Here in Kenya around 4 million, or one in five, women and girls have been subjected to FGM. Although overall these numbers have declined over recent years, they still remain much too high. An estimated 574,000 additional Kenyan girls are at risk of undergoing FGM between now and 2030 unless urgent action is taken to prevent it. St. Martin CSA through the Community Programme for Peace and Reconciliation runs a project known as ‘Awakening Suppressed Voices’ with an aim of transforming communities where women and girls are free from all forms of violence and are empowered to claim their rights, and pursue their own goals.
Only Through Community
We are proud to present our latest video documentary.
These are transformational testimonies from different areas of our work.
#UchaguzibilaNoma - Non-violent elections
"Peaceful elections for a peaceful Kenya" was the message of the peace procession that was held at Nyahururu town. This was an activity of the Community Programme for Peace and Reconciliation (CPPR) before the general elections in Kenya. Similar events took place in the neighbouring areas of Nyahururu; Mochongoi, Ol'Moran and Rumuruti.