42 CHANGE MAKERS SHINES INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION DAY IN GRASS ROOTS.

By gabriel Ingubu

 

 

 42 CHANGE MAKERS SHINES INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION DAY IN GRASS ROOTS.

https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/gabringu

By Gabriel Ingubu.

    Caroline Juma teaching  pupils during field day. Photo by Gabriel Ingubu

 On 3 December 2018, the United Nations General Assembly adopted with consensus a resolution proclaiming January 24th as International Day of Education, in celebration of the role of education for peace and development. Many organizations, people with interest, and different institutions focus their minds on different themes provided in commemoration of this day. This year 2023, the theme is to invest in people, prioritize education. 42 change makers, an organization based in Kakamega county western Kenya through Secretary General Mr. Joel Shilingi, Project manager Caroline Juma and Jackline Abuti a member of the organization took it to Tandaza Fm to enlighten people across the western region about the need to invest in people and prioritize education. In one hour interview, 9am to 10am the trio challenged the audience on how to make it better within the same space provided for all by nature and govenment. ‘’Western Kenya is blessed with good climate for agriculture and so food production skills should be given to the youth for better results in fight against hunger.’’ Said Caroline in her opening remarks.

42 change makers was formed in 2007 after post-election violence in Kenya in which youth were misused to escalate mayhem. The organization pulls her name from the 42 tribes in Kenya in which her main aim is to unite all the tribes by equipping the youth with relevant skills, tools, and connecting them to different meaningful opportunities across the globe.  Caroline who is well versed with high level techniques on indigenous vegetables production said, vegetable farming is the most profitable venture for it increases cash flow as well as supplying high nutrition elements to the producers. ‘’Arrow roots are in today scarcity because many people plant them along the river wetlands yet destruction and environmental unfriendly tree growing are eating up the rivers, but in the new technology, they can still be planted in dry land and produce good yields’’ She said. The group has made tremendous achievements in keeping it close with the community on social programs. Jiggers eradication in Makunga primary and Shinoyi sublocation, school feeding program candidates in Eshiyenga, Bumangale and Eshikhoni  primary schools, distribution of relief food, sanitizers and soap to needy families during Covid 19 epidemic just to mention a few. According to Joel, visibility of 42 change makers is key to the growth of the organization because it depends on well-wishers and grants in funding of her activities. That is why connecting with different outlets like television, radio, newspapers and online platforms makes it easier to reach far and wide in identification of needy situations, and other people with interest. ‘’ We organize field days in which we invite schools, and players in agriculture to what I can call agriculture practical class’’. He said.  In respect to International Education Day 2023, the trio held the organization mission and vision high in the entire interview by providing fine details on how and why education is very important to the community. According to Jackeline who is also Early Childhood Development teacher, teachers need to be parents first then be educators both in and outside classrooms. ‘’We have very few male teachers in ECD section, it is very worrying.’’ She added. 

 

           Caroline Juma, Jackline Abuti and Joel Shilingi during Interview at Tandaza FM

          photo by Gabriel Ingubu

The milestones 42 change makers group has earned all through since inception are to be duplicated all over the country. With 15 team leaders and seven board members, government institution called Kenya Climate Smart Agricultural Program (KCSAP) identified 42 change makers and funded them to provide a learning center for organic horticulture with emphasis on traditional vegetables in Navakholo sub county Kakamega county. The group besides giving skills to farm holders in the community, they also encourage learners from primary and secondary schools around to attend functions like field days for modern agricultural skills in production of locally available farm produce. The schools are also visited when projects like food program, sanitary pads distribution and mentorship programs get into place. During the interview, it was clear that the Competence Based Curriculum (CBC) is good and need to be supported for its benefits are much bigger and better than the price parents are paying to facilitate it. This was well explained by Mr. Shilingi.

 

        photo by Gabriel Ingubu.
      42 Change makers staff taking through community members and students on climate smart farming methods in Navakholo sub county.

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