Ordinary Touch Volunteers

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A Community Based Organization Bolsters rural economy in Western Kenya .

 

 

MATUNGU, KENYA.

 

Among a gathering of 42 other women, Zaituni Makokha shared how her life changed after becoming a member of the Ordinary Touch Volunteers in the expansive Kakamega County, Western region of Kenya. OTV as it is popularly known is local community based organization where ordinary people touch each others' lives. OTV is a local grassroot organization dedicated to socio-economic empowerment.

 

She used to depend on just her daily wages of 200 shilings ($2) as a farm worker. But the group taught her the importance of saving money, budgeting and other life skills. She now teaches other women in the group group.

 

"Before, I had no real direction in life — I didn't plan things," she quiped. "I have learned how to set goals and focus on meeting that goal."

Rural women like Zaituna in the Kenya gain self-confidence, financial independence and friendships through self-help projects initiated by the Ordinary Touch Volunteers group. The group was initially formed to help women and rural families save money but it has evolved into lending programs and continued as a support group.

 

"I was nervous when I first sarted because you don't know how people will react," said Zaituna, a community development facilitator. "I needed patience, to know how to listen, how to give advice when they need help."

 

From just eight members, OTV has grown into over 66 volunteers dedicated to helping, women, children and the less fortunate in the society.

"We help those who are falling through the cracks in the farthest places, at the margins where no one dares," says Engineer Patrick Were, the patron of the organization.

 

 

"Advocacy work should be integrated with development programs" said Eng. Were. "Consciousness-raising and awareness seminars will not fully work without livelihood and economic activities that will improve people's financial status, especially that of women. The desire is to empower rural women who are totally dependent on their husbands, especially for income, and the entire family".

 

The members help each other maintain some savings, even if they are only contributing fifty shilings ($0.50) a week. When there is enough money, a member can borrow from the collected funds and pay it back with minimal to no interest agreed upon by the group.

The organization also uses the pooled money to start small projects, such as making bricks, harvesting sand, farming, etc

 

Florence Auma said that she used to just stay at home while her husband went out to do farm work. She said she was so depressed that she felt defeated in life. "Joining the OTV helped me learn to face people, to understand them and how to react to their problems," Florence said, using the popular term "OTV" to describe it.

Having a pool of money that members can access for financial needs or emergencies is a big help, she added, because they do not need to find collateral for a loan, which may be required in borrowing from a neighbor.

 

The foundation rents a two-bedroom house in Kiamba where one social worker and five staff members live on a rotating basis, since they live one to two hours away and don't have personal cars. The house also serves as an office to coordinate the foundation's various programs and a meeting place where community facilitators give updates on groups.

 

 

"Our rural people need practical and emotional support," said Mr. Geoffrey Oduor, the program Manager. "Most of the indigenous people only studied until around 10 years old. Many of them cannot or can hardly read. But they learn to stand in front of local officials to speak because of their OTV experience. They also learn prudent financial manners"

 

For Mr. Oduor, it is important that when someone comes to their organization for help, even if they cannot address that person's specific concern directly, the person should not leave without getting something, even if it is an expression of support. Currently, OTV operates in the expansive Matungu Sub-county with immediate plans to expand into the larger western region.

 

By Celestine Mumia, Social worker