“Over one-third of the population still lives under the international poverty line and social, economic and gender disparities remain.” — World Food Programme
UMR is introducing the Adopt a Village Project. The goal is to improve the lifestyle of the village people in poor countries.
Life in Kenya – Wajir County
- 48.5 Million population
- 35.6% of the population live on less than US $1.90 per day
- People in Bulla Elmi, Bulla Abdiaziz 1, Bulla Abdiaziz 2, and Bulla Hareri are ethnic Somalis.
- Over 70% of the population derives their livelihood from livestock and livestock production.
- 2.9% rapid population growth. Food-insecure families live in rural areas. They depend on daily agricultural labor for income.
UMR’s Intervention
UMR wants to improve access to basic social, health, WASH, and education in Wajir County. Also to increase safe houses, expand economic opportunities, and enhance environmental management.
UMR’s Stages of Rebuilding follow a 6-step process:
- Education: Rehabilitate and restructure local schools
- WASH: Build boreholes to make water more accessible
- Housing: Construct mud houses
- Primary Health Care: Build medical centers in schools
- Environment: Build eco-friendly solar systems and eco-san toilets
- Community Committee: Community engagement through committees
Adopt-a-Village Project (AVP) Approach
The Adopt-a-Village Project (AVP) is a great initiative. It implements a holistic approach toward the overall livelihood improvement in Wajir County. We do it through synchronous development efforts in health, water & sanitation. Also in education, housing, energy and environmental management, and community participation.
AVP covers four villages in Wajir County:
- Bulla Elmi
- Bulla Abdiaziz 1
- Bulla Abdiaziz 2
- Bulla Hareri
- Elmi Primary School (shared among the villages)
Steps of UMR’s AVP
AVP is an effort to develop village-level capacity toward meeting the SDGs. It is part of an integrated community-level development strategy. The goal is to end extreme rural poverty. This strategy is in line with the recommendations of various U.N. sectoral monitoring commissions. The goal is to end inequalities (especially the urban-rural gaps) in service delivery. And to “leave no one behind”. As such, we want to take a new approach to reduce poverty by combining the best ideas about development. By the help of local knowledge and a commitment to sustainability.
Contract Surgeries
Contract surgeries occurred between the 25th – 27th of February 2020. An ophthalmologist from UMR led an eye team that screened 300 patients. Out of the tested patients, 134 qualified for and received free cataract surgeries. 77 of them are female & 57 of them are male. The remaining patients received the necessary medication to treat their eye conditions.
Another 300 patients were treated as outpatient cases. They were provided with eye medication, reading glasses, protective sunglasses, and health education. A total of 103 were unable to receive surgery due to the limited time frame and resources. They were provided with interim treatment. Such as – eye drops, ointment, and eyeglasses. They were placed at the top of the registration list for the next eye clinic.
Water Wells UMR
UMR built two shallow wells in two villages, Maygag and Star Wario. The shallow wells serve 300 households. They ensure clean water, improve essential health and increase hygiene levels. Ultimately these will develop alternative livelihood opportunities. The water wells will regenerate the arid lands of their environment. So they can produce alternative sources of food security and income. It would result in an overall better health outcome.
Orphan Protection UMR
UMR distributes vouchers to orphans and their caretakers. It will continue to do so quarterly. This sponsorship is a vital lifeline for orphans. Many of them are in families where the assigned guardian earns very little. Our intention is to ease the financial burden for not just the child, but the entire family as well.
Education UMR
UMR will be distributing over 17,000 children’s backpacks. They will be filled with school supplies and books.
Healthcare UMR
UMR delivered two 40ft. containers of assorted medical supplies to Wajir County, Kenya. They are valued at $2 million USD. The medical shipment consisted of facial masks, gloves, and pain relievers. Also diabetic and cardiovascular medications, wheelchairs, hospital beds and many more.
UMR is trying to complete the project as soon as possible. Because it will do great things. Immediate improvements in holistic livelihood conditions will enable the community to regain self-reliance. It will improve their standard of living. It will continue to maintain such standards with locally-driven community efforts.
