About our partner ALIN

By Bob Aston

The Arid Lands Information Network (ALIN) is an International NGO that facilitates information and knowledge exchange to and between extension workers or infomediaries and arid lands communities in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. The information exchange activities focus on small-scale sustainable agriculture, climate change adaptation, natural resources management and other livelihood issues.

To increase its reach and effectiveness, ALIN targets infomediaries who work for governments, NGOs, CBOs and faith-based organisations. These are the people who act as a source of information and knowledge for the rest of the community out of duty or social responsibility.

Information is accessed through community-based Maarifa (Knowledge) centres via a range of channels that include: web portals, Web 2.0 applications, mobile phone platforms, workshops, exchange visits and regular publications.

ALIN works with other partners to improve access to good quality information and knowledge on climate change adaptation practices using publications like Joto Africa and web 2.0 tools. The organization has also been capacity building communities to support both dissemination and capture of information about innovations and best practices.

The organization has been providing agricultural information through production of Baobab magazine and other media to build knowledge, exchange information and stimulate debate and concerted action among stakeholders.

ALIN is also implementing a knowledge sharing project for United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Programme (SGP) grantees operating in Laikipia County as well as implementing a one year project on climate change on behalf of Act! Change! Transform! (ACT) in Baringo, Laikipia and Kajiado counties.

The organization was also instrumental in the creation of Sokopepe, a social enterprise supporting the agricultural sector in Kenya by offering market information and farm records management services. Sokopepe is backed up by two services namely Farm Records Management Information System (FARMIS-Kenya) and SOKO+.

FARMIS is a farm management and diagnostic tool based on the use of farm records. It was developed for use by diverse stakeholders in the agriculture sector, aimed at identifying productivity trends, profitability of different farm enterprises and producing evidence for use in decision making at the farm, County and National levels.

 SOKO+ which is a digital commodity trading and information system, linking small scale farmers to end retailers/bulk purchasers of produce. SOKO+ provides commodity prices from major markets around the areas of operation and beyond, e-extension services and a listing of various technical and logistical support providers.

Kiranga Youth Polytechnic excels in skills and technology

By Lameck Mwangi

The Kiranga Youth Polytechnic is a Vocational Institution that was built by the local community through Harambee (fund-raising) in 1958.

During the fund-raising, thousands of villagers gathered from Kiranga and many nearby villages to contribute whatever small amount they could manage thus leading to the establishment of the polytechnic.

The communities around the polytechnic had a noble vision behind the foundation of the institution. They enabled the poor school leavers in the area to be equipped with technical courses at a very modest cost this making them self reliant in future.

The Polytechnic’s vision is to have a vibrant youth polytechnic producing specialists for their respective fields while its mission is to equip the youth with technical skills at an affordable cost to make them self reliant in future. The polytechnic has a total of thirteen teaching staff and six supportive staff members.

The polytechnic offers the following courses; Agri-Business, carpentry and joinery, electrical wiring, fashion design, hair dressing and beauty therapy, information communication technology, leatherwork technology, masonry (building and construction), motor vehicle mechanic (M.V.M), motor vehicle electrician (M.V.E), metal work technology and plumbing and water supply.

About VSO Jitolee

By Lameck Mwangi

VSO Jitolee is a member of the international VSO Federation. Their core mandate is to promote volunteerism to address global poverty by enhancing the participation of disadvantaged members of society in socio-economic and political development.

VSO Jitolee’s local strategies and programmes are rooted in the knowledge and experience of partners and communities with whom we work - from grassroots community groups, to private sector to government ministries.

VSO Jitolee currently works through professional international volunteers, diaspora volunteers and numerous national volunteers with a variety of skills.

With over 50 years of work in Kenya, VSO is committed to the development of Kenya's people. Their programme work aims to reduce poverty and create wealth in Kenya.

VSO’s work revolves around three development areas, linked to the priorities of their partners, international development targets and their areas of expertise. These are secure livelihoods, inclusive education and responsible citizenship. VSO is committed to gender equality in all their work so that men and women have equal opportunities to realize their potential.