Caritas Isiolo

15/04/2026

“Like a Bank in My Home”: How Nanyokate Women VSLA Restored Hope for Saitet Christine

At 38 years old, Saitet Christine, a single mother from Loturo village in Oldonyiro Ward, has known hardship for much of her life. With limited opportunities and the constant pressure of providing for her household, earning a stable income was a daily struggle. That reality began to change in 2019 when she joined Nanyokate Women VSLA, where she now serves as the group’s secretary.

The VSLA was formed by 15 women determined to support one another through savings and shared enterprise. With support from CAFOD and Caritas Isiolo, the group invested their savings, share outs, and social fund into beading, goat rearing, and beekeeping businesses. Profits from these activities are shared among members, helping them meet household needs, while also growing a loan fund that earns interest and strengthens the group’s sustainability.

Through the VSLA, Christine was able to start her own goat rearing business and no longer depends on casual jobs to survive. The group has become a reliable safety net providing income, and access to loans. As she proudly says, “The group has helped me since I don’t need to look for jobs. It is like a bank in my home; it has helped me a lot.”

Christine’s story reflects the wider impact of women led savings groups in restoring hope, resilience, and economic independence in rural communities.

CAFOD

At 38 years old, Saitet Christine, a single mother from Loturo village in Oldonyiro Ward, has known hardship for much of her life. With limited opportunities...

15/04/2026

From Small Savings to Shared Prosperity: How Namyak VSLA Is Transforming Lives in Ngaresilicon Village

In Ngaresilicon village, Burat Ward, members of Namyak Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) are proving that collective effort can unlock lasting change. With support from CAFOD and Caritas Isiolo, the group was formed in 2023 to strengthen saving culture, improve access to small loans, and build financial resilience among community members.

Today, the VSLA has 22 members, 18 of whom are women, and has grown its savings to KSH 140,350 through consistent weekly contributions of 200 shillings per member. Members access loans to meet urgent household needs and invest in income generating activities. During share out, the group pools part of its earnings into joint farming where they are growing vegetables, maize, and beans that are sold locally.

The proceeds from these sales have significantly uplifted members’ livelihoods. Households can now better manage food needs, school expenses, and household emergencies hence reducing vulnerability and dependence on external support. Namyak VSLA stands as a testament to how community led savings initiatives, when well supported, can strengthen livelihoods, and build a more secure future for rural households.

“We have received loans, taken our children to school and we have received a lot of benefit from the group,” Atieno Lekinyagwa – Namyak VSLA member.

CAFOD

In Ngaresilicon village, Burat Ward, members of Namyak Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) are proving that collective effort can unlock lasting chan...

10/04/2026

PARTICIPATORY TARGETTING OF OVC HOUSEHOLDS UNDER THE GRADUATING GENERATIONS PROJECT

During the targetting process for the OVC households, Graduating Generations Project took a strategic and participatory targeting strategy to make sure that assistance will be accorded to the most vulnerable families in Isiolo County.

The project targeted in particular extremely poor households with Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVCs) that have several, overlapping problems that reduce their capacity to access basic needs and attain sustainable livelihoods.

The targeting process incorporated verification and validation mechanisms at the national, county, and community levels to ensure that eligibility criteria were strictly maintained.

This participatory model guaranteed transparency, equity and local ownership.

By targetting the most vulnerable, the project ensures that interventions are fair, effective, and responsive, which would provide a solid foundation to help households to effectively move out of extreme poverty.

From the targetting process , a total of 750 households were successfully selected amd registered across Oldonyiro (289 hhs), Chari (300 hhs) and Bulapesa (331 hhs) wards.

The GG project is funded by Catholic Relief Services - CRS and implemented by Caritas Isiolo.

Photo Credit : Caritas Isiolo

Catholic Relief Services
Catholic Diocese of Isiolo - Kenya
Radio Shahidi 91.7

03/04/2026

The Wezesha Vijana Impact Trail will be live on KTN on Sunday from 7 and 9pm.

Tune in and watch the impact the Wezesha Vijana Program has had in Northern Kenya.

Catholic Relief Services
Safaricom Foundation
Caritas Marsabit
County Government of Isiolo
Radio Shahidi 91.7

03/04/2026

SKILLS UNDER THE ACACIA TREE | How TVET Mashinani is Transforming northern Kenya

An impact story following the first phase implementation of TVET Mashinani under the Wezesha Vijana Program.

In the arid lands of Northern Kenya, where drought, conflict, and poverty have disrupted generations of pastoralist livelihoods, opportunity can feel out of ...

01/04/2026

PROJECT HIGHLIGHT: GRADUATING GENERATIONS (GG) PROJECT– ISIOLO COUNTY

Funded by Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and implemented by Caritas Isiolo, the Graduating Generations project is a 9 month initiative supporting 750 extremely poor households with Orphans & Vulnerable Children (OVCs) across Isiolo.

Project Goal: Extremely poor households with Orphans & Vulnerable Children (OVCs) transition toward resilient livelihoods and sustained well-being.

Geographical Coverage:
• Oldonyiro Ward: 289 HHs
• Chari Ward: 130 HHs
• Bulla Pesa Ward: 331 HHs

The Graduation Generation Approach is a coordinated package of support designed to help the poorest and most vulnerable households overcome extreme poverty. It provides targeted assistance to those who need it most, delivered in sequenced and layered steps that build on each other. The approach is time bound, ensuring households receive focused support over a defined period. It includes a “big push” investment in livelihoods, combined with complementary services that strengthen stability and resilience. All interventions are adapted to the specific capacities, needs, and challenges of extremely poor households within their local context.

The Graduation Generation Approach is built on four core pillars: Stabilization & Overcoming barriers to participation, Promoting resilient livelihoods, Building financial health and Fostering empowerment.

This comprehensive model is tailored to the capabilities and challenges of the most vulnerable households, giving them a dignified pathway out of poverty.

Catholic Relief Services

29/03/2026

After the exit of the Nawiri project due to the US government stop-work order, Catholic Relief Services, through their internal funds, funded the finalisatio...

29/03/2026

“The program has given us not just training, but real hope. Our businesses are growing, our children are healthier, and we finally feel empowered.”Meet Mwang...

28/03/2026

Future Ni Green!

Celebrating innovation and action as we unveiled the top 3 finalists of the Caritas Isiolo Future Ni Green Environmental Action Challenge!

Congratulations to Isiolo Eco Alliance CBO , ACHOKOR ANGALUP YOUTHS and Isiolo Optimistic Youth Group for leading the way in environmental conservation.

Together, we’re building a greener, cleaner Isiolo.

CAFOD
County Government of Isiolo
Radio Shahidi 91.7
Angaaf Radio Kenya
Nagaa Radio Isiolo Kenya

28/03/2026

CARITAS ISIOLO FUTURE NI GREEN AWARD CEREMONY

Jubilation filled the air as we unveiled the three finalists of the Future Ni Green Environmental Action Challenge.

The two‑and‑a‑half‑month social media digital campaign, implemented under the Isiolo Integral Ecology Project, was funded by CAFOD and implemented by Caritas Isiolo.

The campaign brought together seven Community-Based Organisations (CBOs) from Isiolo Central to showcase practical and innovative environmental conservation initiatives through various digital platforms.

Winners of the Future Ni Green Challenge

1st Place: Isiolo Eco Alliance CBO – Awarded KSh 50,000.

2nd Place: Achokor Angalup Youth – Awarded KSh 30,000.

3rd Place: Isiolo Optimistic Youth Group – Awarded KSh 20,000.

Under the theme “Natural Resource Management, Environmental Conservation, and Disaster Risk Reduction,” all seven participating CBOs showcased commendable actions and inspired community engagement in ecological stewardship.

The Caritas Isiolo Director, James Galgalo congratulated all participants, encouraging them to sustain their environmental efforts beyond the competition to promote a healthy and sustainable ecosystem.

The award ceremony was attended by representatives from the Isiolo County Department of Environment, Isiolo Women’s Prison and Wabera Primary School.



Radio Shahidi 91.7
CAFOD
Isiolo Optimistic Youth Group
Isiolo Eco Alliance CBO
ACHOKOR ANGALUP YOUTHS