The Drought Resistance Day – 13TH Oct. 2011

In collaboration with UN OCHA, SEP mobilized the community members of Rachuonyo South district in commemorating the day. SEP organized for thematic football event targeting at its partner schools; Kotieno Primary School Nyahera Primary School and Nyahera Girls’ Sec. School. The football component as is used by SEP is a means to an end; football provides the platform for information dissemination. Football has the power to pool crowd, and brings together all levels of target groups; the young, youth, women, and the old.

The Drought Resistance Day – 13TH Oct. 2011
In collaboration with UN OCHA, SEP mobilized the community members of Rachuonyo South district in commemorating the day. SEP organized for thematic football event targeting at its partner schools; Kotieno Primary School Nyahera Primary School and Nyahera Girls’ Sec. School. The football component as is used by SEP is a means to an end; football provides the platform for information dissemination. Football has the power to pool crowd, and brings together all levels of target groups; the young, youth, women, and the old.

Tree Planting Session:

Trees on this special day of drought resistance was planted as a means of drought reduction as well as environment conservation. SEP got 2000 seedlings through UN OCHA financial support. Other 4000 seedlings were donated to SEP by the Area Member of Parliament (M.P), Hon. Oyugi Magwanga.
Of the 6000 seedlings, only 2500 were planted. The rest were left in the custody of the local ministry of forrest, and will be planted as soon as the rain resumes. This also helps in meeting our replacement strategy, where out of the 3500 seedlings left, some will be used to replace the already planted one and by one reason or the other, fails to grow.

Attendance:

The occasion was attended by the pupils from the said schools, teachers, community members, partner organizations - KAFOMA,  local /provincial administration and SEP members. (The host).  KAFOMA conducted the educational part of the day, explaining the essence of tree planting and  trees/nursery management.
After the training, every body moved to the site - the site had been allocated to SEP by the partner school, Kotieno Primary school. On the  site SEP will develop and manage the forrest. The same idea is also replicated at Nyahera Primary school, though at a small scale level.
             

KAFOMA representative conducting training on trees/nursery management as the community members and teachers look on, during the drought resistance day organized by SEP, Rachuonyo District.

                         
              
SEP Executive Director, Festus leads the day in tree planting, as the pupils follow suit.

                           
The pupils continue tree planting at Kotieno Primary School site. The pupils too formed part of the workshop class, as they are trained as the change agents in the community.

Way Forward:

Basing on the attained community support/good will in regards with afforestation, there is need to roll out this initiative to the wider district, also targeting such drought prone areas like Mawego, in East Rachuonyo, Rachuonyo North District. This way, we shall attain our primary goal, drought emergency resistance.