Nestled in the fertile Trans Nzoia County in Kenya, Endebess is a region endowed with rich agricultural potential. Often referred to as the “breadbasket of Kenya,” it is surrounded by large-scale farms producing maize, beans, and coffee. Yet, beneath this idyllic image lies a paradox of profound food insecurity and socio-economic challenges. Power for the People (PFP)’s newest project location, Endebess, serves as a stark reminder that abundant natural resources alone cannot secure prosperity for a community.
The verdant Endebess landscape.
A paradox of plenty
Despite its reputation for agricultural abundance, Endebess faces widespread food insecurity. Families struggle to access enough nutritious food, even as they toil on farms that supply Kenya with staple crops. Poverty wages earned through casual labour on large-scale farms and seasonal employment leave many unable to meet their basic needs. This disconnect between the region’s potential and the reality for its inhabitants highlights the systemic inequalities that perpetuate cycles of poverty.
Education: Key to Breaking cycles
Access to education is another critical challenge in Endebess. The region boasts schools, yet many families cannot afford to send their children year-round as they need them to be providing labour during harvest season. Girls in particular, face significant barriers, including harmful cultural practices like early marriages and female genital mutilation (FGM). These practices not only rob them of their childhood but also limit their ability to aspire to a different future.
The absence of diverse extracurricular programs in schools further restricts young people’s exposure to broader life skills and aspirations. Teenage pregnancies – often driven by poverty – remain prevalent, with many young mothers struggling to return to school. Without tailored support systems, young women are often left with few options. In many cases, the child is abandoned to be cared for by grandparents, reinforcing generational cycles of limited opportunity which in turn contributes to perceptions of the limited value of education.
PFP team meeting with local educators representing nursery, primary, secondary and vocational education.
There has been significant investment by the Government in local Technical and Vocational Training (TVET) centres in the area. However, despite this, community engagement remains remarkably low. There exists a pervasive stigma surrounding these institutions, with many locals perceiving them as destinations for individuals who have failed to succeed academically. This perception discourages young people from enrolling, as attending a TVET is often seen as a mark of unfulfilled potential rather than a viable path to success. Consequently, the centres remain underutilised, leaving their promise of skill-building and economic empowerment largely untapped. Addressing these societal prejudices is crucial to unlocking the transformative potential of TVET education in Endebess.
Economic opportunity and social tensions
Endebess’s economy is heavily reliant on large-scale agriculture, leaving the community without viable pathways to financial independence. Women bear an overwhelming burden, often resorting to casual labour to support their families. With limited education, few skills, and shrinking access to land, many are vulnerable to exploitation and gender-based violence (GBV). While GBV must never be condoned or excused, it is critical to understand how grinding poverty, lack of economic opportunity, and persistent social inequalities create environments of frustration and hopelessness where such harmful behaviours can emerge.
Youth unemployment is another pressing issue, with many young people turning to substance abuse and crime as a coping mechanism for their lack of opportunities. A pervasive sense of despair, coupled with the absence of constructive outlets, exacerbates tensions within families and communities, often with devastating consequences for women and children. Tackling these root causes is essential to fostering a safer and more equitable society.
Handshakes not Handouts: A sustainable solution
At Power for the People, our approach to community development is rooted in the belief that lasting change comes from empowering communities rather than creating dependency. This ethos, embodied in our Handshakes not Handouts principle, emphasises collaborative partnerships, capacity building, and resource sharing.
In Endebess, we aim to tackle the intertwined challenges of food insecurity, education access, gender-based violence and economic opportunity by focusing on holistic solutions:
- Community Empowerment: Through targeted initiatives such as vocational training and skills development, we aim to equip individuals with tools to create sustainable livelihoods. This includes empowering women and youth to take charge of their futures, breaking free from cycles of exploitation and vulnerability using our PFP Academy model.
- Youth Engagement: We will initiate Youth Clubs, providing a safe space for young people to come to access peer support, positive activities, counselling and supplementary education to help them re-engage with formal education systems. We will also deliver an access programme to help young mothers re-engage with education.
- Education Advocacy: We will partner with schools and local leaders to promote the value of education, particularly for girls. By supporting initiatives like the Endebess Educator’s Forum and working with the network of TVETs to help them address community perceptions and introduce ‘Earn While You Learn’ opportunities, we aim to strengthen local education infrastructure and access.
- Addressing Food Security: Our projects focus on integrating sustainable farming practices and community-based agricultural programs. By teaching modern techniques and promoting crop diversification, we seek to create a model where families can thrive independently.
- Strengthening responses to gender-based violence: We will extend our successful partnership with Homa-Bay County funded by the Global Health Workforce Programme, training Community Health Promoters to understand causes, responsibilities, and referral pathways for gender-based violence. Our collaboration with the Women’s Rights Institute will also emphasise access to justice.
Fostering change through collaboration
Collaboration with local stakeholders is key. Pictured: PFP team meeeting the Assistant Chief for Chorlim Sub County following a consultation meeting with village elders.
Collaboration is another of PFP’s core operating principles and lies at the heart of our efforts in Endebess. By working hand-in-hand with government bodies, local educational institutions, health centres and village leaders, we aim to create a well-rounded and impactful approach to community development. Our partnerships extend to local experts, including the Women’s Rights Initiative and organisations specializing in substance misuse, ensuring that our initiatives are informed by deep, contextual knowledge. This network of collaboration seeks to address complex challenges holistically, fostering resilience and empowerment across the community.
The journey to transform Endebess will not be easy, but with a collaborative approach, it can become a beacon of hope in Kenya’s breadbasket. By addressing fundamental issues like food security, education, economic opportunity and gender-based violence, Power for the People is committed to uplifting the community, one handshake at a time.
Together, we can ensure that Endebess’s abundant potential is realised for all its residents.
Will you join us on this journey? We are actively seeking partners and sponsors to enable this transformative work to happen. Get in touch with our CEO Janine Edwards, on janine.edwards@pfp.global to explore the potential.
