Iltuati Livestock Farmers Self Help Group

Iltuati Group members at a WILK seminar in Loitokitok

This is a group of 16 young men from age 16-26 based around Ilmarba, also attracted to join by strength of Ilmarba group’s example. They are led by the chief of the warriors, who is the first chief of warriors in the area to have graduated from high school. It is traditional at the inauguration ceremony of chief to give a gift. When Larasha, WILK project manager, presented his gift to the new chief, he told him – “it’s not money, because that can be used up, it’s not food, because that can be eaten, but the gift of knowledge. Form a group of interested warriors and we can train you and your group in better ways of keeping your livestock.”

Inkaramatak Olningo Women Group

Olningo chairlady, Somonie Ene Tirina, and other chairpeople draw lots to see which date they will be going to the livestock market to purchase cows

This is another group from Ilmarba attracted to WILK’s program because of the good example set by senior group, Ilmarba Livestock Keepers. This group of 27 women, both young and old, have benefited so much since they’ve learned to care for livestock more effectively and to diagnose and treat livestock diseases. Their first year was rocky and their profit margin was low, but when they bought cows for fattening with WILK livestock loan they learned to ask more experienced groups for guidance in selecting the best animals. This was an effective strategy and they jumped up to 35% percent net profit in 2016. This year we are expecting good results as well.

Oshumu Group

Oshumu Group Cows purchased with WILK loan: fat and ready to be sold!

From Ilkangere, Cultural Village number 5 in Amboseli, this group of 13 business ladies and men have shown themselves to be savvy livestock keepers and traders.  As we were working on the Enkong’u Narok borehole, we met the leaders of Ilkangere. We shared about the training in livestock disease control and improved livestock breeds. They aggressively pursued the chance to join WILK’s Livestock as a Business program as soon as they heard we were taking new groups.

Oshumu Group has shown that they have learned the lesson of risk management.  In 2016 they saw signs of an outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease and made sure to sell their livestock before their animals contracted it. They made a tidy profit. The 2016-17 cycle, they observed the drought conditions and decided not to risk taking the livestock loan from WILK, in case they would be unable to keep cows in good condition and repay the loan.

Risa Livestock Keepers Group

WILK Director, Joyce Tannian, congratulating Risa Chairman for signing their first Loan Agreement

Risa Livestock Keepers Group is a mixed group of 4 women and 9 men from Risa who have existed as a group since 2007. They had been pursuing WILK for their chance to join WILK’s program for 2 years, never giving up although several times we told them they were at the end of a long line of groups waiting to get in. They finally had their chance! Their chairman is a determined and humble man who is eager to learn to lead and manage his group and his livestock in the best way possible.