USAID 4TheChild Distributes Business Assets
USAID 4TheChild kicked off distribution of business assets such as bicycles and sewing machines worth 7 million Kenyan shillings (approx. $54,000 USD) to improve beneficiary household economic productivity.
Moi University College of Health Sciences Principal, Professor Robert Tenge, and AMPATH Executive Director Care, Professor Sylvester Kimaiyo, joined Kisumu County Governor H.E. Professor Peter Nyong’o who officiated distribution of business assets to project beneficiaries. The business assets target beneficiaries involved in tailoring business, hair dressing and fast-food businesses (selling fries, fish and pastries). These assets will improve caregivers’ business performance resulting in increased household income and subsequently, improved household resilience.
During the event, held at the Governor’s office compound in Kisumu City, Prof. Nyong’o expressed gratitude for the continued USAID 4TheChild support to empower communities and improve livelihoods in the county.
“These tools symbolize hope and opportunity for our vulnerable families including the youth - providing them with a means of livelihood and a pathway to productivity,” he noted.
Elizabeth Odindo, a beneficiary, noted that the tools will not only motivate them to work harder but also contribute to improved livelihoods of the community members.
As part of its household strengthening approach, the project supports enterprises owned by the beneficiaries through provision of grants and assets, business incubation and market linkage.
Also present during the event were Nyanza Regional Director for Children Services Jemin K’Onyango; USAID 4TheChild Chief of Party George Okoth; Deputy Chief of Party Kenneth Otieno; Finance Director Caren Onyango; other project staff, implementing partner staff, case workers and beneficiaries.
The Chief of Party noted that the project has cumulatively invested over KES 1.4 billion in Kisumu County for the last four years for better health and related socio-economic outcomes.
USAID 4TheChild is a PEPFAR funded five-year (March 2021 – March 2026) award implemented by Moi University College of Health Sciences in partnership with Make Me Smile Kenya, through AMPATH. The project supports orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) and their families as well as adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in Bungoma, Busia, Kakamega, Kisumu and Siaya Counties. The project seeks to increase use of quality county-led health and social services for the target beneficiaries, working closely with national and county governments.
