ADS –NYANZA MFANGANO NORTH AND EAST IMPLEMENTATION SITE

ACHIEVEMENTS: KRA 1: Enhanced capacity of right holders in the fishing communities to understand, respect and individually and collectively promote and claim their SRHR

The capacity building on advocacy done to the ADS – Nyanza staff enabled us engage the duty bearers and CSO’s in both Homa Bay and Mbita Sub county. This culminated into inclusion of the Sena hospital infrastructural budget – Homa Bay county. WAD – in Mfangano. The 1st in the history of the Island. The two staff were recognized by the organization in their exemplary performance in advocacy.

There is significant increase in those seeking SRHR services due to intense awareness through the Radio Program run by paralegals...i.e. from 1,861 in June to 2,437 individuals seeking different types SRHR services in Dec, 2013. However, its emerging that women form the bulk of those seeking SRHR services i.e. 67 %( 1633) while men form a paltry 33 %( 804).

The Mbita DHMT now appreciates their obligations as duty bearers and have taken stern actions including writing to the KEMSA seeking reasons for delay in drugs supply to Sena Health facility.

Rights holders identified and prioritized 5 advocacy issues which they followed up with respective duty bearers (Drugs stock out, Non adherence to Service charter, rampant illegal pharmacies and inadequate maternity facilities). The facility has been budget in the County plan.

Picture of WAD

ACHIEVEMENTS: KRA 2 Fishing communities empowered with regards to awareness of human rights and collectively advocating for these rights in various Decision – making bodies locally, nationally and regionally

Both men and women are active in reporting cases to the paralegals. The male gender were found to be the most corrupt .i.e. in all cases of funds mismanagement, it was the males involved.

The duty bearers and specifically the police and the administrators are more receptive leading to enjoyment of the access to justice.

There has been the formation of Homa Bay County CSO, County Paralegal Network and Sub county paralegal networks. These will provide platforms for advocacy.

Public Expenditure Tracking Committee for Mbita Sub-County BMU Network was initiated by Abdi Odhiambo who is one of the Mfangano paralegals and the Secretary for the Sub-County BMU Network; Paralegal chairs the Suba District Hospital Management Board, Paralegal represents the community in the Court Users Committee-Homabay County and Case Committee-Mbita Sub-County. 2 paralegals have been appointed as Volunteer Probation officers with the Mbita-Suba Sub-County probation office.

The rights holders have successfully engaged other arms of justice and stopped circumventing of justice in a case of assault facing one community member. The land grabbing case by a senior political leader has been forwarded to NALEAP by the community paralegals.

ACHIEVEMENTS : KRA 3 Fishing communities of Lake Victoria have been economically empowered and improved their standard of living.

There are more women currently engaging in IGAs ranging from Ecotourism and crafts (5), 147 fish trade and 138 non-fishing like tailoring, cereal selling, hotel services, saloon services, shop owners and vegetable vending. This is an increment from 243 women in June to 289 in December, 2013. Courtesy of Ufadhili and Zingira.

There is a steady increase in number of groups engaging in IGAs including savings and loaning, from 6 groups last year to 8 groups in June to 10 groups in December, 2013. The increased number of women and PLHIV demonstrated above has been made possible through loans for start up capitals from the SLA groups.

Rights holders have been able to develop a number of proposals: Shalom self-help and Mrongo Beach management unit from Mfangano North won KES. 3.5 million and 2.7 million each from LVEMP II for IGAs, The Wasekima HBC group and MICPA CBO joint proposal to the Lake Victoria South Water Services Board (LVSWB) was awarded in the month of November, 2013. The LVSWB will be funding a 10 Million water project in the Island in a bid to improve access to Wasekima, HBC wrote a new proposal to the Women Enterprise Fund-seeking a sum of KES.350, 000/= to loan its members for business expansion. They have successfully repaid past loans of KES. 50,000/= and KES. 100,000/=.

No feedback has been received yet on the Safaricom Foundation proposal (KES, 24 million) and Akiba Uhaki Foundation proposals (500,000/=).

Ropes Out of Water Hyacinth

Basket making and Ecotourism

Social MediaADS – Nyanza has not performed so well in terms of tweets

and face booking.

PARTNERSHIPSUFADHILIZingiraNALEAP (National Legal Aid Program).Legal Resources Foundation.Plan International, World Vision, Action Aid, Devlink and the

CRADLE – Homa Bay County CSO paralegal Network.Ministry of Health.Department of probation and Aftercare Services.

LESSONS LEARNT

Well researched advocacy issues yields better results and giving opportunity for wide reach.

The government shown interest of working with ADS – Nyanza by having the community paralegals support the probation officers.