ChildFund And Makueni County Sign Economic Development Partnership

ChildFund has entered into a partnership with the County Government of Makueni to promote sustainable development and improve living standards among residents.

The two have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) covering a number of projects geared at promoting agriculture, skills development as well as provision of water, education and children welfare.

ChildFund, the New Zealand based international organisation focused on welfare of children, will work with Makueni County to strengthen economic security and self-sufficiency among residents. ChildFund will help youths and families start their own businesses or train them to enhance employeability.

The MoU is a major boost to Child Fund programmes already underway in Emali-Mulala ward, where the pastoralist Maasai and crop farming Kamba communities have been targeted for economic empowerment.

Under the partnership, ChildFund will also implement hygiene, water and sanitation projects to increase access to clean water for domestic use and agriculture. ChildFund will also enhance access to education for children and youth by supporting development of child-friendly ECD centres, providing bursaries for orphans and vulnerable children, and providing life skills training and mentorship to young people.

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Speaking during the signing in Emali town, Makueni Deputy Governor Adelina Mwau said the county government would to support the ChildFund programmes to stimulate economic development. “Water will be closer and this will help children a great deal,” she said. “By helping the children we help the mothers and by helping the mothers we help the whole community.”

ChildFund works with children living in extreme poverty, reaching over one million children and family members in 26 counties in Kenya. The organisation seeks to achieve long-term change in communities to support child growth and development.

ChildFund International President Anne Goddard said water and education play critical role in economic growth. “Clean treated water will reduce diseases,” she said. “Children can spend more time in schools and mothers can do more. With water, residents can engage in more revenue-generating activities and improve their living standards.”

After signing the MoU, Ms Goddard launched the Mwanyani borehole which is expected to produce more than 9 cubic metres per hour. The project will have a pipeline extension to community water points as well as schools and health facilities.

ChildFund runs a number of projects across agriculture, health, education and skills empowerment. The latest is the Orange fleshed Sweet Potato project in Emali to curb malnutrition among Early Childhood Development (ECD) children in partnership with Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization.