“At any time to my farming history, I have never seen middle-men so cowed. They were literally persuading us because everybody refused their meagre prices, what a season”, says Joseph Maina of Mbiriri catchment group. HSHC linked the group to a passion fruit buyer in Nairobi which effectively by-passed the middle-men who otherwise offer low prices to the farmers. Because of HSHC’s intervention, farmers for the first time were more or less able to dictate the prices and earn a decent income from their produce.
Sometimes simple measures can make a huge impact. HSHC is dedicated to search for those interventions that promote sustainable development and help forest-adjacent communities to earn a reasonable living. We encourage local people to make use of the resources around them and we help them to start or improve their businesses. We believe that a vibrant rural economy is the key to lift our target groups from poverty.
HSHC currently implements the following projects:
• Integration of Non Timber Forest Products in the Livelihood Systems of Forest Adjacent Communities in the Mt. Kenya West Region
• Fair Economic Development programme
• Gender development program
• Kenya Eco-Energy Project
• Volunteer programme
• Mt. Kenya West Natural Resource Management and Advocacy Project
• Mathira and Kieni environmental conservation project
Integration of Non Timber Forest Products in the Livelihood Systems of Forest Adjacent Communities in the Mt. Kenya West Region:
2007 – 2008
The Cape Chestnut Tree is a common tree in the Mt. Kenya region. HSHC has discovered that the seeds of the cape chestnut are rich in (non-edible) oils. This oil, known as yangu oil, is widely used in the cosmetic industry.
The project aims to support the communities of Kabaru forest by starting an oil-processing unit. Through the Community Forest Association mainly women are involved in collecting the seeds from the forest. Collecting the seeds provides a welcome additional income generating activity which is flexible and without risks. Apart from setting up the infrastructure for processing cape chestnuts, the project strengthens the relevant Community Forest Associations and helps them with drawing up a Forest Management Plan. This plan is a legal requirement to be able to access the forest and use its resources. The project is funded by PACT Kenya.
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Fair Economic Development programme:
2006-2008
The Fair Economic Development Programme is a long-term programme that focuses on value chain development and rural business creation revolving around agriculture, horticulture and non-wood forest products. HSHC helped local communities and farmers in the Mt. Kenya region by maximizing farm inputs, product research and development, setting up processing facilities and creating market linkages for various oil seeds. Currently the programme deals with cape chestnut, sunflower, canola and croton. The local oil production offers a reliable market for the communities and as such forms a much-needed source of income. HSHC will continue to look for other business opportunities based on local resources and sustainable use of the forest. The project is funded by ICCO (The Netherlands) and KSP (USA).
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Gender development program
2007-2009
The program aims to improve the livelihood of HIV/AIDS affected households, mainly women and children through education and advocacy support. The initiative works with women and children disenfranchisement off property and subjected to other human rights violations. It supports education on succession planning like will writing, appointing guardians and plan for the future schooling for their children. The trainings also include women property rights and inheritance.
Financial support to this project comes from Stop Aids Now! (The Netherlands).
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Kenya Eco-Energy programme
2008 -
The programme involves research and development of alternative renewable energy sources. Current foci include bio-diesel, solar and wind energy. The main target groups for this project are women, local institutions and small enterprises. Major progress has been achieved in the area of bio-diesel, with the acquisition of processing equipment with capacity of 800 litres / day. The partners in this project include Solarix Netherlands and Kenya School Project (USA).
Click here to read the news paper articles about our bio-diesel projects
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Microfinance program
2008 -
This is a small program that focuses on supporting vulnerable women and men (widows, IDPS affected by HIV/AIDS, disenfranchised) with small start-up funds. Most businesses supported are agriculture oriented.
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Volunteer programme:
A continuous programme is our Volunteer Programme. HSHC enables foreign and Kenyan students to gain a unique experience to see grass-roots development work in practice. Also interns and researchers are welcome to do their assignments at HSHC. Our staff is happy to facilitate volunteers and to support work that links with our mandate. Please refer to the section on our volunteer programme for more information on the possibilities to join us.
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Mt. Kenya West Natural Resource Management and Advocacy Project
2008-2010
This project aims to contribute to the sustainable management and conservation of 5 forest blocks of the Mt. Kenya forest: Kabaru, Thegu, Hombe, Gathiuru and Naromoru. The focus will be on strengthening the capacity of Community Forest Associations and awareness creation on environmental and conservation issues. Promoting alternative nature-friendly livelihoods will form an important conservation strategy along with linking local community groups with relevant government structures.
The project is funded by DANIDA / SIDA through CDTF (Community Development Trust Fund, Kenya).
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Mathira and Kieni environmental conservation project
2008-2010
Mathira and Kieni Environmental Conservation Project was conceptualized by four community-based organisations which were harmonized in one project. The purpose of the project is to strengthen environmental conservation and sustainable use of natural resources. Elements of the project include establishment of demonstration sites for organic farming, expansion of tree nurseries, setting up of small industries based on forest products, expand the electric fence to reduce human-wildlife conflicts, promotion of energy-saving stoves and awareness-raising on conservation issues.
The project is funded by DANIDA / SIDA through CDTF (Community Development
Trust Fund, Kenya).
To read more about the results of HSHC’s completed projects, click here
