Rwanda delegates visit Yatta home on learning tour
Delegates from Rwanda yesterday visited the Mully Children Family in Yatta in a learning tour of the sustainability efforts in the children's home.
The group, led by former Rwanda Ambassador to Israel Gerald Zirimwabagabo, comprised seventy representatives from NGOs and religious groups.
Speaking during the learning tour, MCF founder Charles Mulli noted that the continuity of the organisation has heavily relied on sustainability projects such as irrigation and other modern farming initiatives.
"We engage in various projects such as farming where we grow crops such as maize, French beans and beans.
We also have poultry farming in Yatta and Ndalani children family centres. This is how we ensure that what we do here is sustainable and has continuity, " he said.
The children's organization, which has been in existence for more than thirty years, has been using proceeds from these projects
to feed the more than 3,000 children under their care. People within the community also obtain job opportunities within the farm.
These projects include farming of maize, beans as well as poultry keeping. The organisation uses water from a nearby river to irrigate their farms and construct a small dam for future water use.
"What is unique about us is the model that we use such as modern farming. Because of its success, this model is being replicated in other countries such as Malawi, Zambia, Ghana and now Rwanda," he added.
While speaking at Yatta, Amb Zirimwabagabo noted that some of the lessons learnt in the various sustainable projects will be applied within their institutions.
He further noted that organizations such as MCF in Rwanda often fall apart due to lack of sustainable projects.
"What we have seen here is something that we can take back home in Rwanda and apply them within our institutions.
We have various organisations that take in children but they have challenges on how to maintain these homes. With increased collaboration between organizations and government such projects can be very useful to society," he said.
These projects have not only attracted international attention from countries such as Malawi, Zambia and Ghana, county governments are also showing interest in sustainable projects within children organizations.
Last month, Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana visited the children family, which also host a school. While there, the Governor noted that he will urge county governments to invest more in sustainable projects.
Over the years, MCF has taken in over 13,000 vulnerable children, girls and child mothers. It has since grown to be among the the largest children's rescue, rehabilitation and development organizations in Africa.
