Jumuisha Initiative, a Community-Based Organisation (CBO) celebrated 10 years since its inception and impacting on living standards among the youth and women in Makueni County.
The celebrations were led by the organisation’s Executive Director, Karen Munyae, at their offices in Wote town in Makueni Sub-county where officials from all levels of government and civil society and youth and women groups that are beneficiaries of the programmes.
Munyae disclosed that her organisation has improved the lives of youths and women who are now self-employed and earning incomes that have enabled them to combat poverty afflicting many in the area.
The CBO works with school programmes that plant trees in both primary and secondary schools and has initiatives focusing on youth resilience, entrepreneurship and agribusiness that includes poultry and value addition.
On women, the organisation enumerated the various programmes supporting women with microfarms aimed at improving household resilience besides advancing education for local communities including sponsoring children at tertiary levels and ensuring a return-to-school policy for adolescent mothers.
During the celebrations, the organisation also commissioned the newly constructed office.
Addressing the participants present, the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Lands, Urban Planning, Dr Paul Musila lauded the CBO for the work they are doing, saying it was supplementing government programmes in the county.
“I appreciate the work you do here of complimenting the government that has budgetary constraints,” said Dr Musila outside the organisation’s office in Wote town in Makueni Subcounty.
CECM for Gender, Sebastian Kyoni and his counterpart for Devolution echoed the same sentiments, promising to support the CBO, besides urging the youths to seize the opportunities to improve their lives.
Deputy County Commissioner (DCC) George Lugo reminded the youths to take advantage of the opportunities that arise to change their lives by forming groups to attract funding from different organizations and government.
Mr Lugo asked them not to limit themselves and instead think globally, to seek opportunities in an effort to uplift their lives and combat unemployment afflicting many.
“You need kujituma; there are opportunities out there. Do not limit yourself. Don’t think locally, think globally,” challenged Lugo.
“There are many funds in both levels of government where you can take advantage of and get monies to initiate income-generating projects to earn a living,” he added.
The Clerk Makueni County Assembly, Kelvin Mutuku, who is also the patron assured Jumuisha of political support and challenged the youths to be focused in improving their lives.
by Patrick Nyakundi
