Coming Together, Unity, Taking Steps to Move Forward

Karibu! Jambo! These two words mean “Welcome” and “Hello” in the Swahili language. There is no other place on earth where you will experience the warm embrace of hospitality and sincerity of these simple words than here in Southern Kenya. Kenyans are indeed quite friendly and if you take the opportunity to grace their front door they treat you as if you were one of their own. Last night w traveled from an inspiring and comprehensive presentation and small reception from WN’s director Chris Macaloo and staff at World Neighbors headquarters in Nairobi to VOI , located about 4 hours away in southeast Kenya. Situated about 140km from the eastern coast of Kenya, we made our way to the VOI Wildlife Lodge. This beautiful lodge with spectacular views is located in Tsalvo East National Park, one of Kenya’s largest and oldest national parks covering almost 40% of the area of all of Kenya’s National Parks. As we settled into our rooms and prepared for dinner we had the special delight of watching a small cluster of elephants drinking from a water-hole situated outside of our balconies. What a delight and it being our first night! Even though this haven is settled in a remote location outside of VOI proper, crossed only by dusty, bumpy roads, the views experienced were well worth the trip. There was a sighting of a Lion (heard roaring again at 3:30am) and various other animals from gazelles to water bucks and various species of birds.

Feeling less Jet-Lag than before, Tuesday morning we took a 15min trip to the Maungu Village to learn about the NGUA MLambo Development Trust. The NDMDT and World Neighbors Partnership was active from 1999-2006. The work done by the NGUA and the community it supports, serves as an example of partnerships that create sustainability, community-owned, participatory strategies that build resilient communities within the Maungu Village and beyond the VOI borders. NMDT was birthed as a result of the Taita World Neighbor’s program which operated in the former Mbololo location. MLambo means “Coming Together, Unity, Taking Steps to Move Forward”. As an exit strategy (a key goal of WN projects is to phase out their primary role as the community becomes more self-sustaining) during the transition period in 1999 World Neighbors mobilized these communities to form a local organization which became a Trust in 2000. From 2000-2006 World Neighbors continued their partnership with the NDMT in various programs. Those programs include Institutional capacity building, Asset Development, Reproductive/Community Health Programs, Food Security, Saving and Credit, and Sustainable Agriculture and Rural livelihood. Some of the ongoing initiatives include capacity building poultry, Aloe Vera, and Chillie production.

After a presentation by board members from the NMDT, we traveled 30km SE towards the rolling hills of VOI to view the capacity production of the Marungu Aloe Community Group (ALCG). As one of 153 groups within the NMDT in the Taita District, the Aloe Vera C.G. is an example of the success of member groups to not only mobilize their efforts and resources to build a sustainable business for income generation but create a high-quality set of products that have been approved and certified by the Kenyan government (for production and distribution). NDMT has clustered each of the groups into zones of 6-15 groups which undertake similar activities. The Aloe Vera C.G. is among a zone of about 10 members groups. The ALCG was formed in 2006. As a target product for capacity building, the Aloe Vera plant was chosen as a viable product because of multiple benefits it provides to the community.

· Planting maize is difficult because of harsh environment

· Aloe is harvested in the dry season which is of benefit during harsh drought conditions

· Additionally, because of the location of the ALCG within the national park, elephants often cross lands, eat and destroy crops and other valuable resources - the elephants do not find it as a source of nutrition

The chairperson for the group, Rose Nwachoki, explained the process of inviting members into the group, aloe vera production, and how the NDMT supports the wider requirements of the CG to insure sustainability. To be a member you must have 50 of the plants on your farm. Initially, the group started with 55 members but now has expanded to 250+. The members of the C.G. were taught the recipes very creating aloe vera products by trainers provided by the NDMT. Because the aloe production process is currently a manual effort, each individual is required to “pull his own weight” within the group. With a smile on her face, yet a serious tone Rose says “You have to be active to be in this group. If you are not, then you are out! Even this woman (she motions her hand to the right), although she is old must share in the work!”. Indeed the process of making aloe vera is a manual labor intensive task but the products developed are quite unique. The product has many benefits include softening the skin as well as healing properties for cuts and rashes. As you could see from the bright, glowing complexion of the women (and men) in the C.G. the product definitely works (smile).

To our delight, we witnessed the actual production of aloe vera body cream as well as visited their shop to sample their displays. We were quite happy to purchase various products from their display which include aloe vera soap, lotion, and two types of body cream. The CG hopes to continue their line of aloe vera products to include capsules, tea and also powder.

Leaving the shop, we bid farewell to our new friends. We took many pictures, exchanged phone numbers, emails and promised to return again with more visitors on a World Neighbors journey. How do you measure the success of community development in remote areas were academic statistics and action research paradigms are not always relevant? I think the answer is reflected in this simple chinese proverb “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime”. World Neighbors goal is to support the development of a community from the inside out; teaching women, men and children the skills to create resilient communities by harvesting the knowledge and commitment that exists within a group of people. ….I would say, we met many fishermen today!

- Beverly Thompson

Washington, DC