KAMAKOWA JAM TAKA CBO

Kamakowa Jam Taka CBO is a community Based organization started in 2014 and duly registered in the year 2020 with an initial focus on youth economic empowerment and climate action programmes . With time, Kamakowa Jam Taka CBO has adopted a holistic approach in order to tackle problems related to poverty at large in Obunga informal settlements and its environs. Kamakowa Jam Taka CBO is currently involved in implementing an Integrated Community Development Project in which five interconnected and interdependent sectors are developed.

At Kamakowa Jamtaka, we believe in building an inclusive, healthy, and empowered community. That's why we're proud to announce the launch of our Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) Department. We've brought together a passionate and dedicated team committed to promoting the health, rights, and dignity of every individual in our community.

Through this department, we will focus on:

1. Providing accurate and accessible SRHR information
2. Supporting reproductive health and well-being for all
3. Advocating for gender equality and reproductive rights
4. Combating stigma and harmful practices
5. Empowering young people and marginalized voices

This is more than a program—it’s a commitment to change, equity, and justice.

The organization is currently serving 600 Households within Kisumu County with Waste Collection Services per week. In order to address the issue of climate change, the organization is adopting circular economy model by segregating waste thus reducing carbon emission. The waste (wet waste) is used to produce compost manure used for urban farming. In reaching ZERO WASTE in Kisumu the organization is working with household to enhance segregation at household level. The organization is running a aggregation centre which is an income generative activity for the youths. The organization holds monthly clean-up activities with the community to reduce burning of waste and illegal dumpsites.

Kamakowa Jam Taka CBO is a Youth led and Youth driven organization focused on empowering young people. At the core of youth empowerment is the belief our organization that young people are capable of incredible things. When young people have exposure to inspiring ideas and opportunities and the tools to build their confidence – they can take on anything and everything. An empowered young person recognizes their capabilities, self-determination and worth. We work towards job creation and self-resilience within the community.

Our remarkable aspects of community theatre and art is the ability to bring people together and bring development. Participants from diverse backgrounds come together to collaborate on productions, forging bonds that transcend age, race, and socio-economic status. These connections build a sense of community and belonging, fostering solidarity among residents. Our Children and Youths learn teamwork, time management, problem- solving, and communication skills as they work towards a common goal. These skills are linked to markets and also used as part of edutainment to highlight some of the challenges facing us and how to solve using local solutions.

As an organization, we believe that women deserve every chance to pursue and achieve their dreams. Our organization supplements the efforts of women in community-based organizationsand self- help groups to achieve financial independence. Additionally, we recurrently develop and implement specially tailored interventions that will work towards strengthening the ability of women to make strategic life choices into gainful actions. We sensitize and empower the women in informal settlements about entrepreneurship, agribusiness, HIV/AIDS, malaria, sustainable urban farming, sexual and reproductive health among other emerging issues that hinder women's empowerment inKisumu.

Urban Agriculture: The organization seeks to ensure that it can create jobs for the youths and young mothers to reduce poverty within our informal settlement. most of the community members cannot access formal jobs thus have to rely on innovation as part economic empowerment for the community: Black Soldier Fly: The young mothers and youths are working BSF farming to increase their income: BSFs are efficient waste recyclers that can consume a variety of organic waste, including food waste, fruit and vegetable waste, and potato peels. This helps reduce the environmental impact of organic waste disposal and can help reduce the release of greenhouse gases. Animal feed: BSF larvae are a valuable source of protein for livestock and fish farming. They are more affordable than other protein sources like fishmeal and soybeans, and they don't compete with human consumption. BSF larvae are also better for animals than conventional feed, and can help improve the quality of meat and eggs. At every stage of the BSF rearing the organization and the community is able to earn income and also increase food production.

Waste Value Addition: Youths within the organization are running a BUYBACK CENTRE where they buy recyclables from individual waste actors and the community. The idea is to ensure that families that give use dry waste are able to put food on their tables and we are able to improve the environment. The organization is able to use the recyclables to create art sculptures using plastics collected and cups using bottles this being an income generating activity for members. The organization is also able to generate organic waste from household and this is also part of the ways to reduce use of chemical fertilisers which degenerate soil. The organic manure is taken through aerobic composting to generate organic manure which is then sold to local farmers.