Habitat for Humanity Kenya is uplifting lives in Homa Bay through the construction of decent homes for the vulnerable.
The non-governmental organisation, through its programme, endeavours to teach the community the importance of supporting the less fortunate to eradicate poverty and improve lives.
The Programme Director, Nickson Otieno, said this initiative is part of the organisation’s objective to promote a culture where the community steps in to assist one another by constructing houses for the less fortunate.
“We want to promote a culture where widows, orphans, and the disabled benefit from the community because it is the role of the community to build homes for the vulnerable members of society,” he said.
Mr. Otieno, who was speaking in the Rangwe sub-county, lauded the Rangwe community for supporting the initiative that has seen the organisation construct over 60 homes in the region.
The director noted they are initiating such projects to help the community prepare for the year 2050, when 70 per cent of the global population will reside in the city.
“More than 340,000 families have benefited both through the direct construction of homes and through retail lending,” he said.
To add to the list of the programme’s beneficiaries, the organisation has also embarked on constructing a permanent two-bedroom house for a widow, Benta Juma, in Kanyach Kachar village.
Mr. Otieno said the construction cost of the 33-square-metre house, including a latrine, will cost the organisation approximately sh. 850, 000, adding, “This is an affordable house by all standards.”
After completion, the home will be the 73rd that Habitat for Humanity Kenya has constructed for vulnerable groups in Rangwe Sub-County since it became an NGO in 1982.
The director informed us that they plan on constructing 91 houses by the end of this year to improve the lives of the vulnerable in Homa Bay.
He challenged the residents to take the initiative of registering their lands and acquiring title deeds.
Juma, whose current house was in a dilapidated state, could not hide her joy, saying that it was not big enough to accommodate the family.
By Sitna Omar
