Creativity and crop selection to beat climate change

By Bett Kipsang'

Mr. Francis Kiarahu Muraguri 65, a small holder farmer in Sipili laikipia west, has come up with a climate change and food security initiative that has worked out for him and his family over the years. 

He has dug a two meter deep fertility trench and planted pumpkins, bananas and tree tomatoes in it. He collects all the farm residues and farm yard manure and put it in the trench making it rich for the crops.

 Pumpkins can stay for up to one year before going bad, thus providing food and income for the family. 

Seeds for the short season pumpkin variety called the ‘‘sweet sugar’’ are sourced from the certified stockiest. 

‘‘I planted this ones in April and they are now ready for harvesting’’ said Kiarahu pointing at the ripe pumpkins in his farm.   

Apart from pumpkins, he has several other crops making his farm look like a small corner of the Garden of Eden.  It is one place you can never have enough of it. Whenever I visit him, I learn something new.

ICT centre light's my future

By Joyce Wangeci

I am Joyce Wangeci, from Ol-moran division, some 20 Km south of Sipili. I did my KCSE in 2012 and managed to score a B+ of 73 points. In April 2013, I came to ALIN’s Ngarua Maarifa Centre for the first time to access computer services.  

 I had an aim of downloading some documents on a scholarship to USA. For the few days that i used the computers to Access, download and send my documents, I found the services more than helpful. I succeeded in my endeavors and got a pre paid masters degree in the USA.

I come back to Ng’arua Maarifa Centre in May for the first revision of my course. I was able to revise successfully. The staff manning the centre did their best to ensure that I went through the preferred JAB procedure. They even went ahead and advised me on course selection.

     In July when I come to check whether I needed a second course revision, I confirmed that I had gone through the first revision successfully, securing a place in one of the Kenyan public universities.

I am really very grateful for the services I have received, not forgetting the politeness, kindness and readiness to help by the people managing the facility.

  

May all your efforts inspire others to be of help to the community and trigger extra blessing from heaven.

May God bless you, thank you.

       

ICT Trainees Graduate in a Colourful Ceremony

By Bob Aston

There were plenty of smiles, a few tears and a lot of hugs as Ngarua Maarifa Centre computer trainees took their first step into the world of computer graduates. The ceremony was held on 1^st July 2013.The day was a special opportunity to honour the trainees who attended training between February-April 2013. The day was also designed to recognize the pride Maarifa Centre feels in their computer trainees’ accomplishments. More than 80 graduates were awarded computer certificates. The ceremony was held at Sipili Catholic hall and was attended by government officials, as well as the graduates to celebrate this momentous occasion. 

Graduates posing for a photo

Ngarua Maarifa Centre which is in Sipili Division is one of the seven Maarifa Centres (Nguruman, Kyuso, Mutomo, Marigat, Ndhiwa And Isinya) in Kenya set up by Arid Lands Information Network, (ALIN). Other centers are situated in northern Uganda and in Tanzania.

The graduates, the Maarifa centre staff and other invited guests were all smiles as Ngarua Maarifa centre paid tribute to the hard work and accomplishments of the graduating trainees. Whatever distinguished these trainees from each other throughout computer training disappeared as the smiles on their faces told a common story. They had done it.

An assembly of former computer trainees and a local drama group called Ndurumo Survivors provided entertainment whereby they highlighted accomplishments of ALIN and they also appreciated the work that ALIN has done in Laikipia County.

Graduates following proceedings during graduation

Mary Wang'ondu who was one of the graduates thanked ALIN for the training stating that the training enabled her to get a job as a cyber assistant. “We have clearly demonstrated that the potential to achieve lies within all of us,” she said.

William Gibore who is a GSU Constable and was also one of the graduates thanked ALIN for the training and also told the gathering that the training enabled him to be called for a Peace Keeping interview. One of the requirements was for one to be computer literate. He urged the gathering to pray for him to be shortlisted.

Bob Aston who was their computer trainer advised the graduates to make plans for their future and to set goals for themselves. Praising their hard work, he told the graduates that “your accomplishments are your own, but they are also a gift to me.”

Allan Karanja who is an IT professional told the graduates to continue pursuing computer courses. He advised the graduates not to relax but to continue studying and also emphasized on the importance of career development.

Dennis Kipkirui told the graduates and the visitors more about ALIN and activities carried out by Ngarua Maarifa centre.”Your graduation is a celebration of your achievement and marks the beginning of an amazing journey. As you leave the Centre and begin your life, you will be doing so as an alumnus of Ngarua Maarifa centre” said Dennis

Senior Ass Chief hands the oldest graduate his certificate

Senior Ass Chief John Kimaiyo who is also a computer Alumni at the Maarifa Centre told the graduates to be proud of their achievements as they are now computer literate.Kimaiyo also told ALIN staff that land for Maarifa container is ready and they are just waiting for communication from them. Pastor Anthony Njehia told the graduates about four guiding principles in life. "Discipline, direction, determination and dependence in God are the guiding principles that one should always follow in life,” said Pastor Njehia.He told the graduates to always put God first in whatever they do in life for them to be successful. He concluded his speech with a reading from proverbs chapter 4:1.

The graduates were presented with their certificates and the festivities continued with a joint photo session. Senior assistant chief John Kimaiyo provided closing remarks by thanking ALIN staff who engineered the event and left the graduating class with inspiring words to set them off on their journey.

Ngarua Maarifa Centre wishes all the graduates the best of luck in their future endeavors.