In Kenya, over 70% of the population live in the rural areas. However, the central government only sends 15% of total national receipts to the rural Kenya in the form of devolved funds to the Counties. This leaves a huge gap of unfulfilled needs and suffering among many rural population. Arid and semi-arid areas face immense challenges, including drought, hunger, malnutrition and poverty. Across the country, about 5% of children are acutely malnourished and over 25% are chronically malnourished.

 

 

Food Insecurity

In 2019, drought increased food and nutrition insecurity, reduced water access, and increased child morbidity. In October 2019, deadly floods and mudslides affected thousands of people, disrupting health services, economic activities, and livelihoods. Desert locusts entered Kenya in December and quickly spread, posing a significant threat. These emergencies adversely impacted pasture and water availability, crop cultivation, livestock reproduction, agriculture, livelihoods, and food prices.

 

OTV partners with wellwishers to provide training, seeds and other necessary inputs needed by small scale/subsistence poor rural farmers in order to enable them produce some food to feed their families. 

Volunteering to build a low-cost temporary elementary school classes in a local Village