Sengwer Community
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Lead Organizations
THE SENGWER OF EMBOBUT CBO
BACKGROUND
Sengwer Of Chebloch SODEFO/CBO is a grassroots community based organization that was formed in June 2014. The organization is mandated to advocate for issues relating to the Sengwer community including land rights, economic, environmental rights, basic training and pro-culture social interest of indigenous communities, research, documentation, protection and dissemination of indigenous knowledge. The organization was brought by long historical and persistent during both colonial and post-colonial era.
MILESTONES
Offering a space for the community members to attend and participate in the civil litigation in Eldoret High Court and Iten Magistrate Court.
Bringing the marginalized and push to the gender. Currently, we have women that have joined the anti-plight for justice and equality and have joined the women ranks.
Development of community-led Sowe through the help of community elders and members.
Health - With help of partners, they managed to develop Sengwer of Embobut Mau and survivors to help in affected community and sustainable use.
With the help of NARF, the community have enhanced conservation by use of MWSF use that helps to lead to a better life. It has a better time informed and generated/eco reports elders video tutorial. These reports are then shared with the IPS for action in case of illegal activities and also helps to raise awareness in the community's efforts in conservation.
ACTIVITIES
Due to socio-economic and environmental, political, most activities are carried around the land struggle. The activities are carried out in central activities are managed as:
- Advocacy - Engagement and land court appeal (Aturet)
- Litigation - Engagement and land court appeal (Aturet)
- Support of the Elders Council to carry all their new cases
- Community sensitization meetings in order to implement community by-laws
- Dialogue community forums to bring the different KFS, Chiefs and forest adjacent to help in restoration and co-conservation of Embobut forest by working together and help reduce the animosity that were created due to misunderstanding between Sengwer and government of Kenya on forest conservation.
- Women empowerment through training of beads and by taking women abroad and will be supporting all Sengwer cultural things.
- Building of cultural Centre in order to create space to revitalize Sengwer culture/using culture
- Monitoring and of illegal activities in Embobut forest by use of MWSF app
- Brought beadcraft, for needy and not-mobile members of the Community during Covid-19 pandemic.
The CBO is also keen on socio-economic empowerment and scans of activities that we have listed for implementation if we get funding are:
- Branding and sale of honey
- Building and sale of drinking water and power from the upwards in the plain spring of Embobut
- Sponsorship of children from disadvantaged background to access education
- Building of a boarding primary and secondary school to shield Embobut from effects of pastoral evictions
CONTACTS
Elias Kimaiyo
SENGWER COUNCIL OF ELDERS
The Sengwer Council of Elders was formally constituted in 2009 though it has existed in the informal set up since time immemorial.
Their Functions Include:
- Manage interests about for community.
- Considering and organizing around them to the Sengwer by-laws.
- Talking to government and other stakeholders on behalf of the community.
- Formulation of policies, rules and regulations which governs the community.
- To unite the Sengwer community.
- To preserve and promote the Sengwer culture, language and traditions which are in danger of being lost.
- To mobilize the community to be involved in development both at the apex and national level.
- To provide influential and conducive exchange and assistance to members of the community.
Their Guiding Principles Include:
- They are guided by the overarching interests of the Sengwer community in general and the professionals among Elders.
- Cherishing and supporting the Sengwer culture in beliefs.
- Integrity and excellence are the community's key targets.
- To practice justice, transparency and accountability to the community.
- Promotion of gender equality and quality of life within the community.
- Value women in the community.
- Preserving their identity among the elders and enhancing any disputes using consensus and dialogue.