The Daughters of Charity in Kitale,Kenya

Foundation

The daughters of Charity were founded in France in 1633 by St Vincent de Paul and Louise de Marillac for the direct service of people who are poor. They are now in 94 countries worldwide, and 23 in Africa.

BR. TONY DOLAN THE CHAIRPERSON OF ICSAP SUMMIT BOARD PARTICIPATES IN THE TRAINING OF TARGET HOUSEHOLDS IN KITALE PROJECT SITE - KENYA

Kenya

CENTRINE NEKESA WATERING HER VEGETABLES

The Daughters of Charity came to Kenya in 2002 and are in five locations, Kitale in Trans Nzoia County, Chepnyal in West Pokot County, Thigio in Limuru – Kiambu County, Chanzo in Nairobi Metropolitan County and city of Kenya and Kiio near Mwingi in Kitui County. There are 14 Kenyan sisters and 20 missionary sisters.

EMILY NASIMIYU AND PATRICK MAYAMBA AND DAUGHER IN THEIR KITCHEN GARDEN IN THE BACKGROUND IS THEIR NEW TOILET

Kitale is an agricultural town with a population of approximately 820,000. Statistics suggest that the population is growing at a rate of 20,000 per year. Based in an agricultural region, the availability of work in Kitale is seasonal but never exceeds forty percent (40%) with unemployment often as high as eighty percent (80%). Kitale tends to attract a disproportionately large number of people displaced by violence, drought and general poverty.

GLADYS WANYONYI IN PART OF HER KITCHEN GARDEN WITH WELL MULCHED BENDS

Poverty trap

The specific problem is the cycle of poverty that permeates the programme location hanging over the residents like a dark cloud. This cycle can only be broken if the youth and children, especially, can avoid the same patterns of behaviour and life style choices that have kept others impoverished and if households can begin to develop or secure more sustainable livelihoods and means of household food, nutrition and income security.

The case of ICSAP in Kitale

MARGARET NALYAKA IN PART OF HER KITCHEN GARDEN WITH WELL MULCHED BEDS

MARY KHAMALA SHOWS HER CROP OF CASSAVA IN HER KITCHEN GARDEN

The implementation of ICSAP is about 6 Kilometres from Kitale town, at Nyota ya Asubuhi along Kitale – Entebbe’s Road under the oversight management of Sr. Mary Holland and team. The project provides limited external inputs which include assorted clean vegetable seeds appropriate to the locality and small livestock to facilitate establishment of a household kitchen garden.

MARY KHAMALA SHOWS TO EMMA SIMIYU THE PROJECT OFFICER HOW SHE MANAGES HER VEGETABLE BEDS WITH MULCH

vegetables are most encouraged. Capacity and capability training focuses on facilitating understanding of sustainable agriculture concept, principles and practices and the promotion of sustainable agriculture technologies, skills and knowledge. Peace building, gender inclusivity, improved sanitation, climate resilience practices, and youth participation are mainstreamed. The focus is on the achievement of household food, nutrition and income security. ICSAP will in the next three years target a total of 45 marginalized households.