Economic Empowerment

A healthy economy is the engine that provides revenue for improved food security, better education and facilities, and churches with resources to make greater strides in sharing the good news. Currently unemployment soars at about 95% and the average family struggles to survive through subsistence farming on less than $1 per day.

This because most people don’t have the means or mindset to start a new business. Rather than supporting the community with handouts, SOHI partners with the people to empower them through introduction of new ideas and approaches, training, ongoing encouragement and support, and small infrastructure assistance that results in sustainable solutions.

Economic Empowerment is promoted in these ways:

Irrigation

Water Pans

At the root of resolving economic disparities is the ability to reliably grow crops on the small plot of land owned by most families. In the Karachuonyo region, water is the limiting factor for agricultural success. Plagued by two alternating seasons of drought and heavy rains each year, farmers attempt to time crops so that they get enough, but not too much, water to get harvest from their crops. All too often, the rains don’t cooperate and the crops fail. When this happens, there is no welfare. The people go hungry and many die—especially small children.

A reliable supply of water for irrigation is a one key to solving this chronic dilemma. In other communities around sub-Saharan Africa, the use of various systems to collect rainwater for irrigation during drought seasons has been transformational.

Communities have been economically resuscitated when people dug specially configured water pits, or pans, on their land to collect rain water for irrigation. In addition, the implementation of other farming techniques have improved nutrition and the economic value of crops. SOHI is working with community leaders to education and assist the Kenyans in implementing the mindset change, training, and assist with resources that will promote consistent, sustainable crop yields.

It will also take financial assistance in certain areas to jump start the process. But history has shown that the result can be prosperity that hasn’t been known in this area for generations. Assessment and planning is in process for this initiative. Money is needed for training leaders, acquiring equipment to dig pits and canals, and pit liners.

Improved Farming Techniques

Farming God's Way

Standard tilled farming techniques were introduced to the region generations ago. This approach has depleted nutrients, opened the soil to erosion, and promoted rainwater evaporation. As a result, crop yields are dismal; at times, entire crops fail and starvation follows. In 2018, SOHI introduced a zero-tillage approach to farming called Farming God’s Way. This approach requires significant mindset change and will take time to be adopted. As it is adopted, it will heal the soil and restore the land to reliable and bountiful crop production. Already, demonstration plots have produced yields 10 times that of tilled plots.

Since most community members are subsistence farmers, SOHI is currently placing a strong emphasis on improving crop yields through irrigation and improved farming techniques. We believe that these two innovations, along with additional training and support will result in the realization of the region’s Dream: CROPS THRIVE. STARVATION ENDS. EXCESS IS SOLD. AND THE ENGINE OF ECONOMY IS STARTED.

Small businesses

Small businesses are the foundation of a sustainable and growing economy. They are another avenue that helps the local economy by creating wealth and employment. SOHI assists groups seeking to start small businesses with training, mentoring, and seed money. A common model is similar to a micro-loan (which isn’t allowed by the Kenyan government). A group formalizes itself with a chairperson, secretary, treasurer and opens a bank account. Individuals or small subgroups within the main group come up with a business plan and are loaned money which is returned with interest.

SOHI provides money as “seed money” giving the community a resource that is self-sustaining and actually grows over time while stimulating business. Typically, seed money is provided in $500 increments up to $2,000.

Examples of businesses that have been started to date include:

Poultry
Sewing of Clothes
Plant Nursery
Bee keeping
Goats
Cattle