Southern Nyanza Community Development Project

The project area covers six districts – Homa Bay, Kuria, Migori, Nyamira, Rachuonyo and Suba – that are among the poorest districts in the relatively high-potential agricultural area around Lake Victoria. Communities in these districts have strong sociocultural traditions. Poverty levels are high and institutional and policy infrastructure is weak. The HIV/AIDS rate is higher than the national average.

The project focuses on empowering rural communities by:

• strengthening local institutions and community-driven development activities;
• improving access to health-care services and safe water, and improving environmental sanitation and hygiene practices;
• increasing on-farm labour productivity and strengthening human capacity through improved food security and nutrition;
• heightening community awareness of social behaviours and their consequences.

Communities articulate their needs and priorities through a community action planning process. Economic activities are then implemented through self-help groups. Local community committees manage health-care centres, water points and latrines. Innovative features include local livelihood forums, which promote community awareness of a wide range of sociocultural issues, as well as support groups for vulnerable households.

Source: IFAD