Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects 2013/2014: Ground Breaking Ceremony for The Project For the Youth Empowerment Through the Establishment of Greenhouse in Misuuni Area

2015/3/4
Ambassador Terada visiting Sub-County Head Quarters, Kathiani: shaking hands with Deputy County Commissioner, Mr. Godfrey Omonding.
Ambassador Terada visiting Sub-County Head Quarters, Kathiani: Ambassador Terada Touring the project site with Deputy County Commissioner.
Ambassador Terada and Deputy County Commissioner visiting the project site with other officials.
Ambassador Terada and Deputy County Commissioner visiting the project site with other officials.
Title Ground Breaking Ceremony for The Project For the Youth Empowerment Through the Establishment of Greenhouse in Misuuni Area
Date 4th  March,  2015
Location Misuuni Village,  Kashiani District,  Machakos County
Project title The Project For the Youth Empowerment Through the Establishment of Greenhouse in Misuuni Area
Amount US$ 80,569  (approx. Kshs 7.2 Million)
Attendance
  • H.E. Mr. Tatsushi Terada– The Ambassador of Japan to the Republic of Kenya
  • Mr. Godfrey Omonding - Deputy County Commissioner ( D.C Kathiani ), (to represent Machakos County Governor)
  • Ms. Pricilla Bidengo Arunga - Machakos County Director  of Agriculture
  • Mr. Benjamin Munyithia - Kathiani Sub-County Agricultural Officer
  • Officials from Local Government
  • The management and staff of Misuuni Development Self Help Group
  • The community members of Misuuni Village
Total of about 400 participants
Main activity The Ground Breaking Ceremony for The Project For the Youth Empowerment Through the Establishment of Greenhouse in Misuuni Area which had its Grant Contract signed on 26th January 2015, was held in Kathiani, Machakos County and witnessed by among others, officials from the Embassy of Japan in Kenya.
The grant Contract availed funds to be used for the establishment of 4 greenhouses inclusive of drip irrigation system, construction of a water tower, an office and 2 toilets, among others.  The objective of this project is for the Misuuni area youth and community empowerment. 
 
Misuuni Development Self Help Group was established in 2007 for the purpose of empowering the rural community for sustainable livelihood. In 2009, they successfully completed the Musuuni Community Water Project which enabled the community to access to the water.
 
A large proportion of Kathiani District is arid and semi-arid.  Droughts are frequent and crops fail in one out of every two seasons. While there is ample land, farmers tend to grow crops that are not suitable for the amount of rainfall. The difficult conditions of sustaining life through farming resulted in the youth’s negative attitude towards agriculture.
 
The ground breaking ceremony included planting of trees and entertainment by the members of the Misuuni community.  There were also speeches by officials who expressed their gratitude to the people and Government of Japan for the promising youth and community empowerment greenhouse project. They promised to make the project a success and welcome the Ambassador Terada to the Misuuni community again at the time of completion.
 
While giving his remarks, H.E. Mr. 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 and promised to be back to Misuuni in future to see the harvests.  
 
At the end of his remarks, Ambassador Terada mentioned the prime minister of Japan Mr. Shinzo Abe’s speech made last year that stressed on the government of Japan’s willingness to implement greater and generous assistance to African countries especially on education and empowerment of women and the youth.
 

Photographs

Ambassador Terada breaking the ground to start the project and also planting a mango tree, a popular fruit in Misuuni.
Ambassador Terada breaking the ground to start the project and also planting a mango tree, a popular fruit in Misuuni.
Deputy County Commissioner, Mr. Godfrey Omonding planting an orange tree.
Machakos County Director of Agriculture, Ms. Pricilla Bidengo Arunga planting an orange tree.
Misuuni Community members expressing joy by singing.
Paying respect to the national anthem of both Kenya and Japan.
Mr. Patrick Mailang’a, Misuuni self help group giving vote of thanks to Japan for the support.
Machakos County Director of Agriculture, Ms. Pricilla Bidengo Arunga giving a speech and urging the community to work together for the project

Recommended Information

Deputy County Commissioner, Mr. Godfrey Omonding expressing appreciation to Japan for supporting Misuuni
Ambassador Terada giving a speech.

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