The livelihoods of more than 200 farmers in Ndhiwa, Homa Bay County, are expected to improve after they were supported in starting a sheep rearing programme.
The farmers, who are members of 120 groups, have had difficulties in getting capital for starting sheep-rearing ventures.
The groups comprising an average of 17 members each received the sheep from Life for Children Welfare.
In the project, each group received a mature indigenous ewe, which is resistant to the local climatic conditions.
The offspring of the sheep is then given to individual members of the group. Any member given a sheep also donates the first lamb to another member and remains with the mother until every member gets a sheep.
The farmers are drawn from Kwabwai, Kanyadoto, Kanyikela, South Kabuoch, North Kabuoch, Kanyamwa Kologi and Kanyamwa Kosewe wards.
Life for Children Welfare executive director Michael Agwanda distributed the sheep to the farmers at St Antony Wachara Christian School in Kwabwa ward.
He said he started the project after realising farmers were yearning to rear sheep but they lacked capital.
“We chipped in after realising the farmers did not have capital but were yearning to start something. The support given is to enable them grow economically,” Agwanda said.
He said every group member should get a sheep in less than five years.
“These sheep are mature and can give birth twice a year,” Agwanda said.
“The project is aimed at enabling the farmers to eventually buy cows, which they can rear to meet their daily needs in the future.”
Farmers, who received the sheep expressed optimism that the project has revived their dreams.
Charles Ogola, a member of Tek to Ber Group in North Kabuoch ward, said they lacked funds for starting the project.
“This is a project we were yearning to start but capital barred us from doing so. We are going to rear our sheep diligently to enable us to achieve our dreams,” he said.
Nelson Ochieng, a member of Tado Educational Self Help Group in Kanyadoto ward said the project is going to uplift their living standards.
“Upon getting sheep, we will be able to buy a cow, which will give us bigger returns on investment in future,” he said.
Rose Otieno, a member of Thuon Gweno Widows Group in Kanyikela ward, said the project will cushion them from economic tribulations.
“Some widows were left with no resources after the deaths of their husbands. This project will transform their lives,” she said.
