MBEERE NORTH’S MILELE EMPOWERMENT NETWORK IN ACTION.
Introduction
Women situated in remote areas go through a unique set of challenges compared to their urban dwelling counterparts. The challenges make it harder for them to empower themselves as individuals while at the same time looking after their households. Based on this background we examine Mbeere North, home to our Vice Secretary, Daisy Muriuki. She heads Milele Empowerment Network, the umbrella organization encompassing more than 50 women’s groups from across the Mbeere North constituency. Geographically, the constituency comprises three wards, namely: Evurore, Muminji, and Nthawa.
Donations
On February 24th, we visited the Kimugo chief’s office in Mbeere to witness the launch of Milele Network’s latest project, a Proudly Kenyan and NALSA(K) sponsored event meant to empower constituencies through our members. The activities of the day included:
1. The donation of 50 water tanks to 50 women’s groups
2. Donation of solar panels
3. Setting up a girls’ ablution block at Kamugu primary school
In detail, the newly launched project entails installing 50-ten thousand litre water tanks for the same number of women’s groups in the area and installing solar panels on homes without electrical power. The former solves the problem of women in Mbeere North having to trek long distances to fetch water, while the latter lights up and powers their homes upon nightfall. As for Kimugo primary, the girls’ ablution block is important because the facility currently in use is in a dilapidated state. When finished, the facility will eliminate the commotion experienced and delays that occur when the facility is in use.
As NALSA(K), our primary objective is to offer a supportive role to our spouses. In his speech, the chief guest, Mr Njagagau, the Member of Parliament for Mbeere North, expressed his gratitude to the group for their work and effort in uplifting lives in the constituency.
Additionally, Tiffany Muema, from Proudly Kenyan, confirmed that their organization, for quite some time now, has been partnering with NALSA(K) on several projects geared to empowering communities across Kenya. The concept behind the collaboration is to highlight and promote locally made ideas, a mutually shared objective with NALSA(K).
Conclusion
NALSA(K)’s involvement in society is a measure meant to address some of the developmental gaps that exist, especially for women, youths, and children, while at the same time making efforts to empower them.
Since the end of the year 2021, we have witnessed a variety of initiatives from our members, ranging from the donation of sanitary towels to girls, construction work in public schools, to teen mothers being reintegrated into society. This diversity of ideas makes NALSA(K)’s socio-economic empowerment dream possible. Stay tuned as more is yet to come from our other representatives.
By Brian Anyanzwa
Photography by Julia Laval