The pandemic has also had a direct impact on Rusinga Island. Contacts in the country have been interrupted and food prices are rising. This is compounded by crop losses in Kenya due to both drought and flooding.
Herzensprojektes.STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY – this is now the most important part of our heart project.
Already in 2020, committees have formed in the villages to collect food donations and distribute them to the poorest.
Our partners from Badilisha CBO and KWEPU CBO have also responded. Vegetables are grown on vacant land in the nurseries to support the needy in the neighborhood. This is community service and solidarity in action.
Our current projects help to alleviate the need, but will also contribute to the security of supply in the long term:
UBUNTU poultry farming – a cooperative for 60 families on Rusinga for self-sufficiency and for the market.
UPANZI WA MAISHA (Plant for Life) – a vegetable growing cooperative for 20 needy families in Waware East and West.
Both cooperatives were provided with revolving micro-loans.
DECHWA Community Fish Farm – the start of the fish farm on Rusinga will enable 16,000 fish to be brought to the local market annually when fully developed.
Moreover, we continue to support the City of Glashütte through on-site project management in establishing crisis management on Rusinga Island to deal with the corona pandemic. The project includes:
- Setting up and equipping a crisis center (IT infrastructure, hygiene and protective items)
- Conducting health education workshops in the context of the Corona pandemic
- Procurement and provision of hygiene and protective items, as well as production of oral nose coverings
- Regular planning meetings of the crisis team to further deal with the Corona pandemic.
The project is funded by Engagement Global – Service for Development Initiatives. After the funding was approved at the beginning of July 2021, the crisis management center could already be launched at the end of September 2021!