-Katoloni Mission Community Based Organization from Machakos county went through all the stages of proposal development i.e concept note, field appraisal and full proposal development, and succeeded to be among the 97 best organizations projects approved to be funded by the CDTF kit. The applicants for the same funding were more than 5000.
-The Community Based Organization project is entitled-kiima kimwe hills and associated Riparian ecosystem conservation..
-CDTF –Community Development Trust Fund-is a funding given to community based organizations/groups with an objective of promoting environmental conservation alongside improving the livelihoods of the area community.
-This is an Initiative of the Embassy of Denmark in collaboration with the government of Kenya.
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| Regina muthama the PIC chairperson signing the grant contract |
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| Part of the congregation attending the CDTF launch. |
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| CDTF Officials launching the project |
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| Kyeni Dancers also a group of Katoloni C.B.O entertaining the congregation. |
-Some of the outputs expected out of implementation of the project will include;
1. -Increased participation and adoption of efficient technologies in ecosystem conservation and management by the target communities.
2. Enhanced livelihood sources, increased income and employment creation from nature based and green enterprises Increased ecosystem productivity through improved vegetation cover, access to water and reduction in soil erosion
-The named project will benefit 52 groups directly,which live within the ecosystem to be conserved.final beneficiaries will include; Number of Women-1585; Number of Men-165; Number of Youth- 310; Number of the Elderly-260; Number of people with disabilities-30; Others-16,500 area community members. Thus a total number of 18,850 beneficiaries.
The major environmental problems facing the community include the following:-
1. Lack of vegetation cover due to unsustainable cutting of trees for housing, fire wood, charcoal burning, brick burning and farming activities leading to high degradation and excessive soil erosion.
2. Inadequate water caused by lack of conservation of the water catchment areas, unregulated removal of sand and excessive pollution of the few existing rivers by Municipal council garbage. The rivers which include the Mwania, Ikiwe, Muwongoni, Manza and Mwanyani Rivers are the main source of water for area communities
3. Many Gullies and poor soil fertility caused by excessive soil erosion and poor farming methods
4. Inadequate knowledge and skills among the area communities on environmental conservation and management
5. Food insecurity as a result of climatic change, poor farming methods and inadequate knowledge of improved farming technologies.
-Other problems include the insufficient rainfall for a long time leading to severe famine and drought; high illiteracy, high poverty levels and unemployment rates; retrogressive culture which inhibit women from owning property and hence making decision on investment in the same; poor involvement of men and youth in environmental conservation activities; and small land holding as compared to the high human population. Majority of the land in the ecosystem where formally native areas during the colonial era and where and are still highly degraded as a result of excessive human activities.
