Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects 2013/2014: Ground Breaking Ceremony of The Project for the Construction of Economic Empowerment Center for Women in the Fishing Community

H.E. Mrs. Rachel Ruto laying a stone to start the project

Title	Ground Breaking Ceremony of The Project for the Construction of Economic Empowerment Center for Women in the Fishing Community
Date	17th April, 2014
Location	Kisui Village, Gembe West Location, Mbita Division, Mbita Sub-County Homa Bay County,
Project title	The Project for the Construction of Economic Empowerment Center for Women in the Fishing Community
Amount	US$121,889 (Approx. Kshs 10 million)
Attendance	H.E. Mr. Tatsushi Terada– The Ambassador of Japan to the Republic of Kenya H.E. Mrs. Rachel Ruto H.E. Cyprian Awiti- Homa Bay County Governor Hon. Prof Ogada-Minister of Trade, Industry & Investment of Homa Bay County Government (Executive Committee Member of DEVLINK) Ms. Dorothy Okello- Minister of Culture, Gender, Tourism, Youth of Homa Bay County Government (Executive Committee Member of DEVLINK) Hon. James Oyugi- Area Member of County Assembly Mr. Ojwang Obel- Deputy County Commissioner Honorable County Assembly Representatives Officials from Local Government The management and staff of Development Knowledge Link Africa (DEVLINK) The community members of Kisui Village Total of about 800 participants
Main activity	The Ground Breaking Ceremony of the Project for the Construction of Economic Empowerment Center for Women in the Fishing Community which had its Grant Contract signed in February 2014, was held in Homa Bay County and witnessed by among others, officials from the Embassy of Japan in Kenya. The Grant Contract availed funds to be used by the fishing community in putting up facilities that would improve their lives. These included construction of an empowerment center that will produce sanitary towels, a kitchen, 2 toilets, and installation of 38 sewing machines, 2 water tanks, electricity, power back-up generator and furniture. Women in the fishing community have been overwhelmed by the heavy burden of raising young families under tough economic conditions. Furthermore, many schoolgirls in the community cannot afford to buy essential sanitary towels and thus end up dropping out of school. The construction of the new center will be used to empower the women by providing them with employment and tailoring training opportunities as well as enable them produce dignity kits at affordable price. The ground breaking ceremony which included planting of trees had various performances by school children and members of the local community. There were also speeches by H.E. Mrs. Ruto and officials who expressed their gratitude to Japan for the promising women empowerment project. While giving his remarks, H.E. Terada congratulated the organization for their success in getting the grant and holding a ground breaking ceremony to initiate the project. He urged the community to work together for the successful completion of the project. He also mentioned that the governor of Homa Bay takes the fight against HIV/AIDS as his government’s big agenda. Japan has sent Ms. Yasuyo Tanaka, a JICA Volunteer assigned to Suba Sub-county Medical Office of Health who is working on HIV/AIDS control in this area and he introduced her to the community. At the end of his remarks, H.E. Terada mentioned the prime minister of Japan, Mr. Abe’s speech made in Africa recently that stressed on the government of Japan’s willingness to implement greater and generous assistance in African countries including women empowerment for a brighter future of Africa.

Photographs

Director of DEVLINK, Mrs. Esther giving project overview

H.E. Mrs. Rachel Ruto expressing gratitude to Japan for the support

H.E. Mr. Cyprian Awiti ,County Governor, expressing gratitude to Japan for the support

Introducing Ms. Tanaka, JICA volunteer at Mbita

H.E. Terada and H.E. Mrs. Ruto together with Officials