Library services bridges information gap for distance learning student

When Japheth Musya enrolled for a Distance learning Diploma course on Theology at Scott Christian University, he had no idea where he would find reference books for his studies. But a visit to Mutomo Maarifa Centre was an eye opener for the 45 year old man.

“I had gone to the Maarifa Centre to enquire on computer training but to my surprise I found out that they also have library services and had very informative books,” says Mr.Musya

Mr.Musya has borrowed 10 books from the Maarifa Centre with a span of one year. These range from Project management books, community development to dry land farming resource materials.

The training is offered by Scott Christian University and sponsored by the World Vision. Currently, 36 students are enrolled for the project. However, trainees have to source for their own reading and reference materials.Mr.Musya says that Mutomo Maarifa Centre has bridged that gap for him as it were not for the Maarifa Centre, he would have had to buy the books from other sources thus incurring extra costs.

“The books have helped me prepare study notes for my exams and carry out general research on my studies,” says Mr.Musya .adding that he has also been borrowing community mobilization and project management books from the Centre which have assisted him mobilize two Self-Help groups in his community

He praises ALIN for the community Maarifa Centre citing that it’s a very important organization in the community as far as knowledge provision is concerned

His expectations

Mr.Musya is a Pastor based in Mwamba Village, Kibwea Location of Mutomo District. He cycles 16 KM every time he wants to borrow a book from the Maarifa Centre.

He expects that acquiring the Diploma will enable him secure employment as a community development worker and improve his livelihood.

Drip irrigation extension manual resolves technical hitch for group

Green house farming is a new technology of growing crops in a controlled environment (temperature) which ensures efficient use of water .The technology uses drip irrigation so that the water is supplied directly to the crop in drops. Mola Mathina (Malili) is a self-help group that has embraced this technology.

However due to water shortage in the area members have developed a duty rota for bringing 20 Litres of water weekly each from nearby Nzeeu River, a seasonal river one Kilometre away.This water is usually dirty and salty which led to clogging of the drip irrigation system.

Above, Mr.Kisuni goes through the drip irrigation Extension Manual; Below, the group’s drip irrigation system.

The group therefore resorted to watering their tomato, spinach and onion crops manually which increased their workload as they were using 1000 Litres of water weekly as opposed to the 120 Litres they had been using before.Read more....

Mola Mathina Self-help group benefit from orphan crops

Mutomo District is an arid and semi-arid district in Eastern Kenya, approximately 230 KM from Nairobi, Kenya’s capital city. The area receives a minimum rainfall of about 350-750 mm. The district is predominantly inhabited by the Kamba community .Residents here depend on small scale agriculture and keeping of drought resistant domestic animals. As such the community is always in need of learning new farming technologies and sustainable agriculture that can do well in the harsh climatic conditions. A group of farmers in Kwa toma village, Kyatune Location in Mutomo District has joined hands in achieving this objective.

Comprising of 16 members Mola Mathina Self-Help group was started in1992 with an aim of ensuring members have quality seed. According to the group’s Chairlady Mrs. Florence Kanini Sammy, the purpose of coming together was to share knowledge among members and practice smart farming. “Our main activity is seed bulking for income generation,” says Mrs. Sammy adding that the group also supports members by giving them food during the planting season

Extension services

However changing climatic conditions has seen the group adopt new farming technologies due to the diminishing rainfall amounts...Read more