Lodwar – February 25, 2025 (Public Communication and Media Relations)
The County Government, in partnership with the International Rescue Committee (IRC), has launched a four-day training for 57 Community Health Promoters (CHPs) from Turkana Central Sub-County aimed at strengthening household economic resilience and social protection systems.
The training focuses on financial literacy, social entrepreneurship, and sustainability. Participants are being equipped as Trainers of Trainers (ToTs) to mentor mothers’ groups across supported outreach areas.
The initiative seeks to promote a strong savings culture through Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs), while integrating gender awareness and social protection into community-level programming.
Speaking during the session, Naomi Eyanae, Community Health Officer (CHO) at Kakwanyang Health Facility, said the training will empower both CHPs and facility leadership to better respond to socio-economic and protection challenges.
“This training is equipping us with knowledge on proper referral pathways for Gender-Based Violence (GBV) cases, while strengthening VSLAs to support savings and small businesses,” she said.
Eyanae noted that limited awareness previously hindered effective GBV response within the community, adding that the new skills will enable CHPs to link survivors to appropriate services promptly and safely.
IRC Livelihoods Officer Elmina Nabwel described the training as part of a transition strategy as the livelihoods project nears its closure at the end of March.
“Our goal is to leave behind trained ToTs who will continue guiding mothers and sustaining these gains beyond the project period,” she stated.
Peter Longolol, a CHP from Kakwanyang, welcomed the initiative, noting that it will help revive savings groups that previously struggled due to limited technical capacity.
“We are now better prepared to strengthen our VSLAs and educate the community on financial literacy, gender issues, and social protection,” he said.
Longolol acknowledged that some GBV cases have been linked to harmful traditional practices, but expressed confidence that the training has enhanced their ability to support survivors and follow proper reporting procedures.
The County Government continues to collaborate with the IRC across key sectors, including WASH and nutrition. In Kalotum Village, sustained sanitation sensitization efforts increased latrine ownership from seven households to full coverage. The village is now awaiting Open Defecation Free (ODF) certification.
