Indigenous Wellbeing Initiative for All (IWIFA)
Together We Grow
FRAMEWORK
OUR FOCUS
HEALTH
One of IWIFA's core objective is the improvement of health services in pastoral communities. Iwifa believes that improved health services are vital in the improvement of the living standards of these communities and also the achievement of our other objectives. Some of the key health issues Iwifa will be advocating and championing for will include: Improvement of Sexual Reproduction Health Services (SRHS). We champion for the improvement in all of the 7 components of reproductive health which include; 1. Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) 2. Maternal Health 3. Abortion 4. Reproductive Health 5. Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) 6. Early Teenage Pregnancies and 7. Contraceptives
NUTRITION
Most Indigenous communities e.g. Samburu and Turkana Counties are some of the ASAL counties that receive very low rains especially in many parts of the counties. For this reasons malnutrition rates are very high and currently stunting rates stands at 29.3% while GAM rates are 15.9% and this according to WHO (World Health Organizations) classifies us as critical state. It is essential to empower women to undertake income generating activities to improve house hold food security Kitchen gardening, keeping small animals like rabbits, chickens, bees etc can help curb the menace of malnutrition by diversifying the livelihoods. This translates to increase in source of food and income through consumption and sale of the products from these animals. IWIFA is working closely with the ministry of health in fighting malnutrition in pastoralist communities. IWIFA is distributing and educating indigenous communities on the importance of Sukuma wiki and spinach, all vegetables, chicken, milk, meat etc. We are encouraging the communities to take more vegetables for their health matters. IWIFA is going village to village advocating for women to work closely with health workers in fighting malnutrition.
EDUCATION
Most Indigenous communities in Kenya have the perception that women do not deserve to be educated hence majority of the girls are married off at a tender age just for the family to be able to sustain their lives. Girls are denied education opportunities with a perception that they are a source of wealth. Indigenous wellbeing initiative for all (IWIFA) is therefore empowering girls
PEACE ADVOCACY
Tribal clashes between Indigenous communities in Kenya is historic. IWIFA is dedicated in advocating for peaceful coexistence between tribes such as Samburu, Turkana, Pokot, Borana, Lchamus communities etc. whereby clashes between these communities have resulted to poverty, increase in number of orphans and widows, school dropouts due to lack of school fees. IWIFA conducts advocacy for peace through engaging community leaders and involving the youth to champion for peace between the community. IWIFA is determined to engage youth in recreation activities through sports and talent activities. This will help in bringing pastoralist communities together.
PERSONS ABLED DIFFERENTLY
IWIFA empowers youth, women and people living with disabilities among the pastoralist communities to enable them stand up for themselves and their families. people with disability are at the heart of our approach, together with them we work closely, to ensure their voices are heard every step of the way.
LEADERSHIP & GOVERNANCE
IWIFA will be advocating for increased involvement of women and youth in leadership and governance within the pastoral communities, this will enable them lobby for community development by engaging relevant stakeholders thus improvement of the livelihood of the vulnerable women and girls.
CLIMATE JUSTICE & ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
IWIFA in partnership with relevant stakeholders will advocate for conservation of environment by regularly planting of trees and protection of living wild animals. Indigenous communities have been subjected to devastating impacts of climate change, conflicts, droughts and threats for displacements from their ancestral lands by government agencies to pave way for development projects. We therefore promote indigenous peoples driven mechanisms to address climate change challenges and providing sustainable solutions.
HUMAN RIGHTS, RESEARCH & ADVOCACY
Indigenous Wellbeing Initiative For All believes in elevating the voices of indigenous women and youth. IWIFA uses different tactics to provide a safe and welcoming environment for indigenous women and youth to exercise their human rights. Some of the methods that IWIFA uses to achieve its objectives in this programme include Amplifying of Voices, Mentorship, Documentation etc.
AcTIVITIES Gallery
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Gladys Lesirma
Board - Chairperson
Joseph Sukuta Ewoi
Board Member
Amina Hassan Ibrahim
Board Member
Gabriel Kelewa
Board Member
Agnes Alimlim Ewoi
Board Member
Taura Lodungokiok
Board Member
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
FOR OUR PROGRAMS VIA:
MPESA PAYBILL: 110031
ACCOUNT NUMBER: 1100280185211
EQUITY BANK
We appreciate the support we get from all the good-hearted across the globe. Our goal of uplifting the less fortunate from the indigenous communities is fueled by your support.
Contact us
- Nairobi, Kenya
OUR PARTNERS
KENYAN GOVERNMENT
Y - ACT
Y-ACT, Youth in Action, was formed at Amref Health Africa by a group of young innovators in 2017 to address challenges prioritized by the youth
NOTHERN RANGELAND TRUST (NRT)
Established as a shared resource to help build and develop community conservancies, which are best positioned to enhance people’s lives, build peace and conserve the natural environment.
Collaborative Center For Gender and Development (CCGD)
A society that guarantees equality, social justice, and respect for the rights of women, men, girls, and boys.
PARAN ALLIANCE
PARAN is a coalition of pastoralist organizations working to build resilience and adapt to the changing conditions in the northern rangelands of Kenya.
The Indigenous Women Council (IWC)
Indigenous Women Council- Kenya is a network of indigenous women dedicated to economic empowerment, amplification of women’s voices, rights, and leadership.
Community Safety Initiative (CSI)
The organisation endeavors to network pastoral communities from diverse ethnic orientation towards social solidarity, peace, safety and cohesion.
TUBAE
TUBAE- African Development Trust is Community Based Organization famously known as Turkana Bio Aloe
FEDERATION OF WOMEN LAWYERS IN KENYA (FIDA-Kenya)
FIDA-Kenya is a premier women’s rights organization in Kenya that has offered free legal aid to over 3,000,000 women over the course of 37 years.
YOUNG AFRICAN WOMEN CONGRESS (YAWC)
YAWC provides the context within which young women get to interact and discuss critical issues pertinent to their development and contributions towards national growth
Democracy Trust Fund (DTF)
DTF is an initiative of Echo Network Africa (ENA) providing continuous and strategic support to women seeking to participate in all forms of leadership with political leadership being its flagship
KEWOPA
The Kenya Women Parliamentary Association (KEWOPA) is a cross party caucus bringing on board all women parliamentarians drawn from both houses (National Assembly and Senate). The caucus works to promote and protect democracy and advocate for women's rights.