By Luisa
County government, in partnership with Village Enterprise, has introduced a youth engagement program aimed at addressing unemployment and driving economic growth, particularly in North Nyakach Ward in Kisumu.
The Village Enterprise is a locally led, community-based organisation working to equip first-time entrepreneurs with the resources and skills to start income-generating businesses and savings groups. The initiative also aims at reducing extreme poverty in rural areas through entrepreneurship, innovation and collective action.
Speaking at an event held at Katito, the CEC Member for Trade Tourism Industry and Marketing Madam Faridah Salim on behalf of the Deputy Governor Dr Mathew Owili, was grateful for the work done by the Village enterprise team appreciating their relentless pursuit of grassroots transformation, noting that he has very high hopes for the successes that the youth of Nyakach are set to achieve.
Flanked by her counterpart Ms Beatrice Odongo CEC Member for Sports Culture Gender and Youth Affairs, Ms. Salim challenged the youth to use their skills to start their business to sustain them and their families. She encouraged them to seek assistance from the county offices if needed.
With the partnership of other collaborative organizations such as New Yards and Trees of the future, the village enterprise has been able to reduce poverty rates of over 24000 people.
The village enterprise also seeks to support the youth in different aspects, most especially by increasing their household income through skills enhancement in agriculture, weaving, fishing, and crafting.
The initiative also seeks to improve nutrition and food security for the beneficiaries as most of them live in rural areas with little or no food security. In this case, the program is placed to give reassurance nutrition as well as proper medication that will sustain them and their families.
The program also assists youth with a business starter package which includes space for businesses and funding.So far over 2000 youths from North Nyakach and Nyalenda wards have benefited from the program through a grant of Kshs. 473,740 to start a business.
In addition, the program seeks to train youths on small-scale businesses such as fishing, weaving, crafting, and agriculture.
