Relief for Siaya residents as Shofco donates Christmas foodstuffs

Thousands of  Siaya residents have a reason to smile this Christmas season after Shining Hope for Communities (Shofco) Founder and CEO Dr. Kennedy Odede donated foodstuffs.

The donation, which happened mainly in the Rarieda sub-county on Saturday, saw residents go home with sugar, cooking oil, and wheat flour for their Christmas celebrations.

“Shofco is all about togetherness. We come together in times of need and seasons of happiness like this Christmas.

“When you are blessed, you need to share what you have with others. Don’t eat alone. Share!” Dr. Odede stated.

South Uyoma Member of County Assembly (MCA) Michael Omondi thanked Shofco CEO for donating food, terming it as a noble gesture.

“Christmas has come early for us and we appreciate the CEO of Shofco for this noble gesture. The organization is gaining so much popularity in this area and it has helped our residents.

“Apart from what we are seeing here today, Shofco has done a lot in many areas including the development of dams and distribution of maize seeds across the county,” the MCA said.

Omondi added that the organization has greatly impacted women and youth in Siaya County.

“As a leader, I have seen what Shofco has done and the impact is huge. Shofco has helped women and youth and as a community, we are really grateful and we hope for more,” he stated.

Alice Atieno, a resident of the Ndigwa location, thanked the Shofco CEO for giving them food for Christmas.

“I want to thank our CEO for buying us food for Christmas. I have never received any free food from anyone before, not even our political leaders. Odede has done a great thing for us and may God bless him,” Atieno said.

In October, Shofco launched its Youth Voice program in Siaya County in a bid to reach 20,000 youth in the next year through various courses that include training, job placements, and financial grants to start their businesses.

“Our Youth Voice project will enhance access to financial services for young people in informal settlements through SHOFCO initiatives that provide credit access and financial literacy education.

“These platforms will offer youth-focused financial products tailored to their unique needs, including loans for school fees, business start-ups, and investment capital,” Dr. Odede said.

The program will also help address mental health challenges among young people, which Dr. Odede said is threatening to wipe out the future generation.

“The project strengthens the direct response to the most striking needs of vulnerable young people through youth mental health sessions and through identification of vulnerable youth countrywide and the mapping and identification of youth mental health ambassadors throughout communities,” he said.

Siaya County boasts as the fourth county after Nairobi, Mombasa, and Kisumu in terms of Shofco membership.

Shofco has over three million members countrywide through its Shofco Urban Network program.