Putting knowledge into practice; a farmer’s journey to success

Agriculture has been said to be the back bone of Kenya’s economy.Over 75 % of Kenyans depend on agriculture to sustain their livelihood. However,changing climatic conditions have resulted to minimal rainfall amounts, a situation that has resulted to recurrent food shortages.

Kisilu Musya is a farmer in Kyatune Location, Ikanga Division of Mutomo District. Due to unfavorable climate conditions, he has had to embrace alternative farming to realize food security. Knowledge has played a major role in Mr.Kisilu’s journey to realize this goal.

Mr.Musya explains how knowledge has improved his livelihood

An ALIN network member since Mutomo Maarifa Centre’s establishmentin 2007, Mr.Kisilu has been receiving ALIN’s magazines namely Baobab and Joto Africa

It was through Baobab issue 57 magazine that Mr Kisilu read an article on alternative fodder. The article had listed down pawpaw as one of the drought resistant crops.

“Before I used to do farming but lacked knowledge on the best crops to grow in our area. I mostly relied on maize which always failed me,“says Mr. Musya adding that during good times, he makes approximately $37 from pawpaw sales from 18 pawpaw trees only.

Apart from his pawpaw enterprise, Mr. Musya has also embraced indigenous crops like sorghum, millet, green grams and pigeon peas.

“My livelihood has improved .I now see a bright future for my family”, concludes the father of seven

---

Youth secure employment from free IT training!

Article by:Arnold Mukala

At Sterling Computer Enterprise in Mutomo town, Alex Matuku is busy typing a document. A few months back, the 29 year old man could not operate a computer. But days after completing free ICT training offered at Mutomo Maarifa Centre, he has secured a job at the enterprise.

He is one of the 58 community members who have already benefited from free ICT training offered through Mutomo Maarifa Centre. The free community training is part of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation awarded to ALIN in August 2011 to implement various community activities. The main goal of the community IT training is to enable communities’ access opportunities and resources available globally and to catalyze youth entrepreneurship for livelihoods improvement.

Mr.Mutuku busy at work

“Before the training, I did not have a clue on anything to do with computers; I could not even define what a computer was. But now, I can type, print, scan, and perform basic calculations in a document. I can also work with internet comfortably," says Alex

Mr.Mutuku adds that he owes this to ALIN for he could not have gotten this job if not for the opportunity and urges other community members to take this rare opportunity.

“I feel empowered.” He concludes

Another empowered youth is Andrew Mbuvi.He too has secured a job as a secretary at Korrect Enterprise Designers and Printers, a printing and designing business in Mutomo town.His duties as a secretary include typesetting, printing, photocopying and designing.

“ALIN has made me who I am today. Its thanks to the IT training I have secured this job .I am now building my future‘’, says a beaming Andrew.

Andrew performs his secretarial duties

Mr Mbuvi urges the Mutomo community to not only take advantage of the free IT training but also take advantage of the free information resources at Mutomo Maarifa Centre.