Changing Lives: GG2015629 in the Meru Region
The Rotary Action Group for Community Economic Development (RAGCED) is pleased to feature an inspiring story from the Meru and Tharaka Nithi Counties of Kenya in this edition of our newsletter. The Global Grant 2015629 project, completed in June 2024, has made a significant difference in the lives of women and girls, showcasing the powerful impact of community economic development initiatives worldwide.
Empowering Communities: Scenes from the Kiini and Kalithiria Workshops
Project Overview
The GG2015629 project addressed two critical issues: the lack of employment opportunities for young mothers with tailoring skills and the widespread problem of period poverty among schoolgirls. Through the establishment of two tailoring workshops in these counties, the project created pathways for social and economic empowerment, aligning with the broader goals of community-driven development.
The project's key objectives were:
- Provision of affordable, reusable sanitary towels for needy girls, helping them stay in school.
- Establishment of two tailoring workshops that equip young mothers with skills and income-generating opportunities.
- Improved reproductive health training services for both girls and boys, fostering greater awareness and reducing stigma.
- Establishment of a Rotary Showroom to showcase and sell products made by the trainees, supporting their economic sustainability.
Over three years, the project has trained 70 young mothers in tailoring, allowing them to earn a livelihood by producing school uniforms. Additionally, 2,175 girls received reproductive health education and free sanitary towels, while 2,227 boys participated in reproductive health discussions. A particularly touching story from Giampampo Secondary School highlights the project's impact, where a boy took on work to buy sanitary pads for his cousin, underscoring the community's deep engagement and the project's far-reaching effects.
Project Sustainability
The success of GG2015629 is rooted in its sustainability model, ensuring that the benefits continue long after the project's completion. Partnerships were formed between the Meru Changing Lives Rotary Community Corps and local institutions like the Mituntu Vocational Training Centre, which provided technical support and helped prepare trainees for government-recognized tailoring exams.
A local community-based organization, Binti Mwangaza, collaborates with the workshops to maintain the quality and distribution of reusable sanitary pads. This partnership is key to ensuring the project's ongoing impact, a core principle of sustainable development.
Furthermore, beneficiaries were introduced to table banking training, receiving free financial education from a local organization. This training has empowered women to effectively manage their businesses, contributing to long-term economic stability.
One of the most significant outcomes of this project is the knowledge transfer facilitated through the tailoring workshops. Many trainees have gained the confidence to start their businesses, which will continue to stimulate economic growth in their communities. The workshops are expected to train at least 70 tailors per year, creating a ripple effect of empowerment and sustainable development.
