Shining Hope for Communities (SHOFCO), a grassroots organisation dedicated to uplifting underserved communities across Kenya, has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Meru County Government.
Speaking during the agreement signing, SHOFCO Founder and CEO Dr Kennedy Odede said the partnership aims to deliver essential services and development programmes to the residents of Meru County.
The deal will be focusing on areas such as health, education, water, agriculture, and youth and women empowerment.
"This collaboration with Meru County is a testament to our shared commitment to uplifting communities. Together, we will work towards sustainable development and improved livelihoods for the residents of Meru,” Odede said.
The SHOFCO boss said the partnership will formally continue SHOFCO’s support on educational programs in the county, including scholarships and vocational training, to equip the youth with skills necessary for employment and entrepreneurship.
“SHOFCO, through our Shofco Urban Network (SUN) program, entered Meru about two years ago and so far, we have made significant steps, including taking 760 youth to Technical and Vocational Education and Training institutions and some 480 others for apprenticeship courses,” Odede said.
At the same time, SHOFCO has launched the construction of a 3-storey community centre in the county that will host various empowerment programmes, including tailoring units, computer labs, a school library, and a gender services office.
“The community resource centre will also provide space for community members to hold meetings, weddings and any other function. The centre will serve as a nerve centre for SHOFCO activities in the county,” Odede noted.
Access to clean water and improved sanitation facilities will be prioritised to enhance public health and quality of life for Meru residents.
SHOFCO's extensive experience in delivering healthcare services in underserved communities will be leveraged to improve healthcare access in Meru.
The MoU outlines future establishment of health facilities and outreach programmes to address prevalent health challenges in the county.
Meru County Governor Isaac Mutuma emphasized the importance of the partnership.
"By joining forces with SHOFCO, we are taking a significant step towards achieving our development goals. This MoU will enable us to deliver essential services more effectively and efficiently to our people,” he said.
Meru County is grappling with a pressing issue: a teenage pregnancy rate of 28 per cent, the highest in Kenya and significantly above the national average of 17 per cent.
“The MoU will also help us address the issue of teenage pregnancies that is threatening to ruin the future generation.
“In 2023, we recorded 15,000 teen pregnancies, the highest in the country. With more teens and youth getting scholarships, we will likely see these numbers reduce significantly. Thank you SHOFCO for coming to partner with us,” the Governor said.
Collaborative efforts will focus on promoting sustainable agricultural practices, providing farmers with resources and training to increase productivity and ensure food security.
The signing of this MoU marked the beginning of a collaborative effort aimed at transforming the lives of Meru residents.
Both SHOFCO and the Meru County Government committed to ensuring the successful implementation of the outlined programs, with a focus on sustainability and community involvement.
SHOFCO has over 15,000 members in the county under its SUN programme. The organization also has 46 employees in the county.
The MoU signing was witnessed by Njuri Njeke Elders, who hailed it as a game changer.
“This MoU is a blessing for our people. Our youth need jobs, our mothers need clean water, and our children need quality education. If SHOFCO and the county follow through, this will bring real change to our villages," Njuri Njeke Secretary General Josphat Murangiri said.
