DROUGHT STILL PERSISTS IN NORTHERN KENYA

As the Drought persist, Water is not enough for people and animals, the plants die. Shepherds have to drive their animals over long distances, to give them some water. 

"PAINT A SCHOOL" PROJECT: A NEW INITIATIVE FOR HYGIENE PROOTION IN SCHOOLS

NORKENYA through a new project "PAINT A SCHOOL" will be working in conjunction with :

COUNTY GOVERNMENTS OF GARISSA, WAJIR & MANDERA
 
NATIONAL GOVERNMENT (MOE) 

& other Interested Partners

to help us achieve a "PAINT A SCHOOL" to be undertaken starting from Mandera towards the Whole of NORTH EASTERN PROVINCE counties of Mandera, Wajir and Garissa and to be duplicated to the rest of Kenya.

It is said, colours successfully add value to the everyday school life of the kids as well as their teachers and the community. The school kids as well as the community find painting on schools favourable and the kids, especially when they see paints, keep in their minds, arts from when they are very young.
 

You can transform the schools with vivid colors which the children will Never "forget" in their lifetime as well as contributing positively to the school children’s’ mental health. 

Your paints and contributions, make school going children motivated and In the end, Schools will appear beautiful for all the children and to the community and Visitors.

The "PAINT A SCHOOL" is not a financial help but "MATERIALS SUPPORT" to different less privileged schools.

With the Program, comes the strategic Hygiene Promotion where we will strategically place dustbins and information banners to educate the school going children as well as the community on the importance of keeping school grounds clean and to put litter on the Dustbin.

The Program, "PAINT A SCHOOL" will have volunteers from NORKENYA, The Contributors and the community.

WASH LEARNING FORUM

Our Programs Director, Mr. Ibrahim with one of the Participant at Pan Afric Hotel during The WESCOORD WASH learning Forum

Mr. Eliud Wamwangi, Chair-GOK,WESCOORD and Jane Maonga- UNICEF,WESCOORD Co-Chair at the forum

MANDERA COUNTY: GADUDIA IRRIGATION SCHEME

The Revival of Gadudia irrigation scheme by Mandera county is a brilliant Idea I suppose

 

GIRL CHILD EDUCATION: NORTHERN KENYA

Mr. Ibrahim distributing sanitary pads to primary school girls at Lafey Primary Schools in Mandera County, Northern Kenya.

Girls and their teachers pose for a photo at the school

This was at Elwak DEB Primary School, Mandera County, Northern Kenya.

EARLY WARNING SYSTEM: KENYA-SOMALIA BORDER

The use of Nokia Data Gathering (NDG) has really put into focus how programs can respond to calamities before they strike.

KENYA-SOMALIA BORDER AWASH WITH SALW

The Extent to which we base our Small arms and Light Weapons program in Northern  Kenya and areas around the Kenya-Somalia Border

USE OF INCINERATORS TO IMPROVE HYGIENE: KENYA'S FREE SCHOOL SANITARY PAD DISTRIBUTION

Local clay Incinerators for Kenya Schools sanitary pads program

THE VILLAGE DRILL PROGRAM FOR KENYA SCHOOLS IN NORTH EASTERN PROVINCE

Starting this year, NORTHERN KENYA CAUCUS (NORKENYA) will bring a new drilling technology called the Village Drill,  to their School WASH programs in Northern Kenya.

Schools in Northern Kenya have been affected so much not only in terms of infrastructure but the provision of Water, Sanitation facilities and Hygiene.

The Program will first start with 7 schools in Mandera East and Lafey districts along the Kenya Somalia Border through the use of the "Village Drill", A new technonolgy by WHOLIVES.org, An American group and has been presented through various circles and meetings.

By using the “Village Drill” (a human powered drilling rig), we can now bring clean water to many of our schools and communities lviing in arid and semi-arid vast areas of Northern Kenya. The delivery of this water drill will provide new hope to the communities who suffer every day from scarce and contaminated water and prolonged droughts.

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Without Water and proper hygiene, our hospital will be occupied by people who are sick due to contaminated water. With clean water, we can eradicate half the problems on an already overburdened health care system, freeing up beds and doctors to concentrate on other health needs such as AIDS, Malaria, and Measles.

With water, When women and girls are not fetching water for 6 hours a day they can be involved with education an entrepreneurial endeavours. For men, to be healthy means to be more consistent with their daily labour. Most importantly is that healthy children do not miss school, they study and they build a new future for their families.

FGM: A 7 YEAR OLD GIRL BLEEDS TO DEATH IN WAJIR- NORTHERN KENYA

A woman was yesterday arrested after her seven-year-old daughter bled to death after female circumcision. It is female circumcision season in Wajir District, despite concerted efforts to discourage the practice.

"She was brought to the hospital more than 24 hours after circumcision. By then it was too late to save her life," said Mrs Ardo Mohammed, a nurse.

She said the girl underwent infibulation, the worst form of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is common in North Eastern Province of Kenya where Kenyans of Somali Ethnic Community form 99%. Police intercepted family members planning to bury the girl. An elderly circumciser was also arrested after a brief search.

Deputy OCPD(Police) Mr. Job Lesinayu said they would be charged with murder. But relatives want the two released, arguing the death was pre-ordained. "No parent would want to see her child die. At least the police should allow her to mourn her daughter," a former councillor, Mr Kunow Ibrahim, said. It has also emerged that the child was among three girls cut by the circumciser.

The tragedy has not dampened the cultural mood with scores of other girls facing the knife.

The Somali ethnic group in Kenya has the highest prevalence of FGM - 97 per cent of Somali women have undergone the procedure, and almost all are infibulations. As in many other communities, pre-marital virginity is very important for the Somali, and FGM is considered essential in preserving virginity and family honour. Many Somali also believe that FGM is an Islamic requirement, although some Sheikhs, community elders and Muslim women's groups have clarified that infibulation is in violation of the Koran. This has led to a shift from infibulation to a less-severe form of FGM, and it is a complex issue for groups working to eradicate the practice to encourage its abandonment instead of the adoption a less-severe form.

Our NGO, Northern Kenya Caucus(NORKENYA) has been active in girl child programs and is raising awareness on Gender Based Violence, HIV (Aids) and Eradication of FGM in these communities.

Northern Kenya Caucus (Programs Director) Mr. Ibrahim was present with the National Gender & Equality Commission Chairman (NGEC) chairperson Winfred Lichuma at the Uhuru Park Luncheon for the 16 day activism 2012 in Nairobi-Kenya 

THE 16 DAY ACTIVISM: ZUIA DHULMA ZA KIJINSIA

PEACE & CONFLICT RESOLUTION MECHANISM IN KENYA

LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION: AN IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENT AGENDA

In Kenya and Somalia, drought decimates livestock and hits incomes. NORKENYA will be embarking on a livestock production program in the Kenya-Somalia Border. This will be done in close collaboration with the District Veterinary Officers(DVO's) , Provincial Administration, ALLPRO(ASAL Based Livestock and Rural Livelihoods Support Project), NALEP(National agriculture and livestock extension Programme) and will include, Disease surveillance and Mass Vaccination and treatment. This program is intended to contribute to poverty alleviation (Kenya Rural Development Strategy and the Poverty Reduction Strategy)

MARKING THE GLOBAL HANDWASHING DAY

GIRL CHILD EDUCATION IN NORTHERN KENYA: GoK FREE SANITARY PADS DISTRIBUTION

In order to Promote our Girl Child Education in Northern Kenya, to keep our girls in school, improve their performance, This year and any other year from now, NORKENYA will supplement the Kenya Government efforts to provide free sanitary pads to girls in school. This year alone, over 100 schools in Mandera, Wajir, Garissa, Marsabit, Moyale, Isiolo, Ijara benefitted from the Sanitary pads provision

Northern Kenya Caucus (NORKENYA) Director of Operations,Mr. Ibrahim Ahmed seen here with Students of Khadija Girls primary school, Mandera County distributing GoK Free Sanitary Pads last month. Looking on is the Ministry of Education, County Director of Education, Mandera County, Mr. Yusuf Karayu

THE UPCOMING 16 DAYS ACTIVISM IN KENYA

The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence is an international campaign originating from the first Women's Global Leadership Institute sponsored by the Center for Women's Global Leadership in 1991. Participants chose the dates, November 25, International Day Against Violence Against Women and December 10, International Human Rights Day, in order to symbolically link violence against women and human rights and to emphasize that such violence is a violation of human rights. 

The 16-day period also highlights other significant dates including November 29, International Women Human Rights Defenders Day, December 1, World AIDS Day, and December 6, which marks the Anniversary of the Montreal Massacre. The 16 Days Campaign has been used as an organizing strategy by individuals and groups around the world to call for the elimination of all forms of violence against women.

The Eastleigh GBV/ HIV/RH Program Coming Up

A 6 month GBV/HIV (Gender Based Violence & Aids) campaign is set for a launch in the Muslim dominated Eastleigh, Nairobi-Kenya with the intention of reducing the stigma related to HIV and PLWHIV(People living with HIV). The Program is being co-ordinated by our NGO, NORKENYA with the USAID-Aphia Plus Nairobi and Coast intending to support it along with GiZ(German Technical Co-operation) and MSF-France with clinics in both Biafra and Mathare respectively, will be carried out starting soon to culminate with this year's 16 day activism.

A strategy meeting on GBV/HIV/RH/FGM with components of Family Planning was done in Madina Mall, Eastleigh targeting the campaign on the Somali and Ethiopian communities living in eastleigh was attended by representatives of NORKENYA, The Kenya National Aids Control Council, NACC, GIZ/SUPKEM (BIAFRA CLINIC), APHIA PLUS (NBI & COAST REGION), MSF –FRANCE- MATHARE, WOMEN FOR HEALTH & EDUCATION (a CBO) among others.

The Meeting envisaged to cushion the communities against the HIV scourge and to decrease stigmatization of those living with HIV. Mothers, it was also recommended will be targeted through PMTCT (prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV during the 6 month campaign  Among issues discussed were The inter-relation of various stakeholders along with government perspective strategies, Review of GBV/HIV/FGM plans around Kamukunji, The Players and action points in the next 6 months. GBV/HIV/FGM Workshops and Advocacy campaign in Eastleigh and surroundings were discussed in the strategic Plan and actors discussed on the development of GBV and HIV integration process and further updates from the GoK and SGBV/SEA UN team.

A Gender Working Group was mooted which seeks to get to constitute a team that will help in information flow and to sensitize and develop a common acceptable approach solution to the various problems associated with GBV and HIV campaigns within
Eastleigh and wider Kamukunji areas.

The program is designed to provide improved information, awarness on GBV/HIV among the communities by discussing on the Prevention, treatment and care and will be expanded to be sustainable while making sure that all other inclusive preventions are taken care of. Breastfeeding Programs will also be encouraged in reproductive health programs going along with these programs. Care and support together with integrated reproductive health and family planning services will also go along the way. The program will also encourage increased service access and use and the promotion of healthy behaviors among the densely populated people of Eastleigh who are at the risk of further HIV infections.

Madam Doctor Margaret Kariuki of Pathfinder -Aphia Plus, Nairobi and Coast Region, further urged on creating partnerships between Stakeholders and Private Health Facilities like Medina Nursing Home which can be used for programs that are aimed at Testing for HIV and initial contacts for GBV programs. She said, these private Clinics can work with MSF France and GIZ Clinics based on the outskirts of Eastleigh for further referrals.

Other recommendations and expected results are:

To enhance co-ordination, capacities and participation and creating linkages with all stakeholders, from the campaigns, to strive and lobby by supporting women participation in all spheres of life be they in reproductive HIV/Education, to create a lot of input to enhance on tackling Gender relations as concerns culture. It was noted that, there is a low level of interest for girl’s education in Somali and Ethiopian communities. The Societies have no focus for women empowerment and education.

To make sure those tendencies towards engaging girls in forced labour to raise incomes for household needs will be curbed and in some cases, a lot of campaign will be embarked on stopping early marriages and prostitution and to make sure challenges of women subjected to marginalization due to a set system which reduces women rights considerably will be checked. This will include specific programs targeted at Somali Bantu communities.To look at results oriented monitoring where FGM will be decreased not to affect HIV/AIDS campaigns.Under the campaigns, to also look to explain that women under inheritance need to be observed In Muslim and Somali Communities.

The meeting resolved to enhance an anti-Rape, anti-stigmatization and trauma trainings and to make sure that, a cluster working group on GBV/HIV/FGM be created in the process to also work on the 16 days activism.

The coming six month program will be a pilot phase, it was said and stakeholders were encouraged to review and continue with the sustainable project.

ONE YEAR AGO................LIFE GOES ON

Remember last year, during this time, there was a lot of drought and famine in parts of Kenya and the whole of Horn of Africa and we, in our inclusion, under the Kenya Somalia NGO's Consortium, had to do a lot of lobbying to ease the emergencies.

The Crisis, is now said, needs a lot of focus to longer term plans. What in aid groups, we call, building resilience, so that, incase the Natural calamities come, communities can cope up with them without completely destroying their livelihood.