Misufini ECD parenting group is located in Misufini, Ganze sub county. The group was formed and mobilized by the community workforce assisted by the local administration. Under the guidance of a trained facilitator and using a group participatory approach, the members were trained on aspects of positive parenting during a four months training. The trainings culminated into a graduation ceremony to celebrate the parents and their journey. 62 (51F and 11M) members received certificates affirming their commitment to the program and to positively impact their families moving forward.

The National Positive Parenting program seeks to educate parents on ways in which they can better execute their roles as parents and in the process create a safe and nurturing environment for children to thrive and attain their developmental milestones. During the four months group parenting sessions, parents were guided through a well-structured training program with topics ranging from gender transformative parenting, positive parenting skills, child protection and economic strengthening. Through the sessions, parents got an opportunity to share challenges that they face in their day to day parenting duties and how the program was timely in building, restoring and strengthening families.

One of the objectives of the program is to provide access to economic strengthening and health services to cushion parents from economic shocks and enable them provide nurturing care to their children. During the graduation ceremony, the facilitator engaged the department of Social Development to sensitize the group on the need to strengthen their structure and to come up with ideas on how they would sustain themselves beyond the program while still championing the positive parenting agenda. The group was informed of the benefits of formally registering the group which included access to business funds such as the Women Enterprise Fund, Uwezo Fund, and Youth fund; which would support them to grow towards being resilient and independent. 

One parent in the group shared, “Financial management and planning is one of the reasons why couples fight and parents encounter challenges in raising their children. As a group we felt that such opportunities would resonate with our vision, empower us economically as well as strengthen us as we work towards our goal”.

This prompted the members to register their group as self help groups under the Department of Social Services to enable them access funding from different Government Departments. Because of their large number they were able to register four groups i.e

1. Neema Group
2. Umoja Misufini
3. Tujifikirie group
4. Tupendane group

The groups embarked on different income generating activities to increase their capital base and also enhance their economic standards. Apart from table banking and selling vegetables, they also engaged in poultry keeping. As this was going on, they also applied for funding from the Youth Enterprise Fund under the guidance and leadership of their facilitator.

The YEF officer conducted sensitization meetings with the team on the application process and the criteria expected in receiving the funds. Most importantly, the aspect of the opportunity market place and initiating customer centric business was key in ensuring that the business ideas they had were in line with the needs of the community members. After a long wait, they received a cheque of Ksh 400,000 from the Youth Enterprise Fund. This was a big boost to the group members who were enthusiastic and determined to repay the amount and borrow a bigger amount with the aim of injecting it back to their business. The process was made seamless with the involvement of an officer from the Cooperative Bank who assured the members that the bank would educate the members on the different financial services offered by the bank and the ones that would be beneficial to the group allowing them to save and perform business transactions without any hitch. They have acquired a machine that helps them bake bread that is distributed and sold to the retail shops and nearby hotels. The machine makes