We Can Fight Climate Change

Donor: Climate Justice Resilience Fund (CJRF)

Lead Partner: East African Documentary Film Fund (Docubox)

Target Group: KYAVONDA CBO

Target Households: 250

Target Area: Ikanga – Kyatune Ward, Kitui South Sub-County

Project Period: 28^th October 2018 – 30^th December 2021

Project Purpose: To address climate change effects through Community Based Adaptation initiatives in Kitui South Sub-County.

Key Outcomes:

1. Increased water access through the 30,402 M³ earth dam excavated, protected and connected to a solar pumping system.
2. 600 tree seedlings distributed and planted and 2 nursery beds with over 800 seedlings raised.
3. Enhanced food security of 160 farmers through climate smart agricultute practices like conservation agriculture, ecological farming, terracing and good agronomic practices.
4. A 12-Langstroth hive Bee Farm established.
5. Establishment and regisration of Kyavonda CBO with 160 Members fan increment from the original Ksh 30,000 circulating in the CBO Table Banking component.
6. A Community Centre under development with 3 40 ft containers converted into space for office, VSLA, ICT training, Beauty Salon and Cereal aggregation.

Strategies

1. Water harvesting and moisture retention.
2. Food security enhancement.
3. Ecological restoration.
4. Value Chain Development.
5. Village savings and loans associations (VSLAs)
6. Institutional Strengthening

Key Outputs

1. Water Harvesting and Moisture Retention
   1. a 30,542 M³ capacity earth dam excavated, protected and connected to a solar pumping system and elevated tank in March 2019.
2. Food Security Enhancement
   1. Farmer capacity building on the skills and practice of Climate Climate Agriculture (CSA) technologies like:
      1. Conservation agriculture
      2. Ecological farming
      3. Drought tolerant crops; green grams, sorghum, cow pea and pigeon pea.
      4. Establishment of a demo farm for Good Agronomic Practices training and demonstration.
   2. Diversification of crops, livestock and fruit trees.
      1. promotion of improved indegenous chicken for food and income.
      2. Promotion of growing fodder crops and hay preservation.
      3. Promotion of short term fruit trees like papaya, passion fruits and berries.
      4. Kitchen gardens for household vegetables utilizing local materials and waste water.
      5. Integration of Bee Keeping through training and a12-hive bee farm.
3. Ecological restoration through:
   1. Tree nurseries and tree planting of Melia Volkensii (Mukau), Senna spectabilis and Nandi flame species.
   2. Training on Ecological principles and benefits.
4. Value Chain Development:
   1. Enterprise selection: Through a participatory process 4 enterprises were prioritized; Bee keeping, Table Banking, Tree Nurseries, and Cereal Aggregation.
   2. Development of business plans in line with the priority enterprises.
5. Institutional Strengthening:
   1. Constitution making process.
   2. Governance structure development.
   3. Expansion and recruitment of new members.
   4. Alignment of the CBO into a business entity by converting into a Producer and Marketing Cooperative through pre-cooperative training and registration.
6. Table Banking; Training on principles, benefits, management of a VSLA. Members contribute Ksh 50 weekly and loan themselves with 10% interest for meeting needs on food items, seeds, school levies and medical services.
7. Exposure and Learning Tours
   1. 40 farmers visited Makutano Community Development Association (MCDA) for knowledge exchange and demonstration of Climate change Community-Based Adaptation Solutions.
8. Gender mainstreaming especially women empowerment, child protection and youth involvement.
9. Collaboration and networking.
   1. Involvement of Dr. Mwangi and Dr. Ndungu of SEKU School of Water Management and School of Environment respectively in Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
   2. SEKU donated 3 40ft Containers to be converted into Community Centre and 5 Computers for the ICT training within the centre.
   3. Involvement of relevant County Government officers:
      1. Ministry of Culture, Youth and Social Services.
      2. Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources..
      3. Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Livestock.
      4. Ministry of Trade, Cooperative and Investment.

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