ANNUAL REPORT 2007 - 2008

ARID LANDS INFORMATION NETWORK (ALIN)

Published by Arid Lands Information NetworkP.O.BOX 10098, 00100 GPO Nairobi KENYAAAYMCA Building, Ground Floor, Along State House Crescent, Off State House AvenueTel. 254-20-2731557Fax: +254-20-2737813E Mail: info@alin.or.keWebsite: www.alin.or.ke

James NguoNoah LusakaPolycarp Otieno - Chief EditorEsther Lung’ahiJob Mainye

Polycarp Otieno

This annual report may by copied, reproduced or stored in any retrieval system for community use as long as the source - ALIN is acknowledged. You may seek permission of the publisher to extract part or whole of this report for non profit purposes.

CONTACTS

EDITORIAL TEAM

COPYRIGHT

LAYOUT AND DESIGN

3A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 0 7 - 2 0 0 8

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.0 From the Regional Director

2.0 Community Knowldge Centres

3.0 Information Resources

4.0 Online information portals

5.0 Partnership for progress

6.0 Use of Mobile phones in Civic Engagements

7.0 Local Networking

8.0 Financial Summary

9.0 ALIN Staff

‘Knowledge is a source of competitiveness, whose value lies in new ideas, practices, information on

opportunities and new technologies are drivers of this process.’

4A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 0 7 - 2 0 0 8

FOREWARD

It’s my pleasure to present the ALIN Annual Report for the period ending 31st March 2008. This year was both exciting and challenging as ALIN responded to the ever changing area of ICTs and knowledge management with a new strategic plan (2007-2012). The new strategy will mainly focus on information related to agricultural production techniques, environment and access to market information while integrating gender, HIV and AIDS. We hope this will make ALIN realize its vision of a knowledge driven society.

Our strategy is informed by the belief that knowledge is a source of competitiveness, whose value lies in new ideas, practices, information on opportunities and new technologies are drivers of this process. The strategic shift is also guided by need to show tangible results of our work among the communities we work with.

During the year under review, ALIN has strengthened its Access Points to act as local nodes for content creation and exchange. This has resulted in the establishment of 10+ Community Knowledge Centres equipped with ICTs resources across eastern Africa. In addition, ALIN intends to integrate Web 2.0 tools (basic social networking internet tools) to its existing information dissemination activities to widen the reach.

Our future will still revolve around providing free access to information and knowledge by communities as the cornerstone of our work; This way, ALIN hopes to develop a society where exchange of ideas and knowledge, will enable communities addressing its needs.

My gratitude to the board of trustees, members, and partner organizations for enabling the network carry out its activities successfully. I also acknowledge staff and Volunteers for the dedication with which they have handled their responsibilities and our donors for enabling us work towards realizing our dream of enriching lives with information.

James Nguo.Nairobi, July 2008

James NguoRegional Director

5A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 0 7 - 2 0 0 8

2.0 ESTABLISHING MAARIFA CENTRES IN THE REGION

“I am one among many students who benefit from the internet services at Marigat Community Knowledge Center. Before I had to travel to Nakuru from my home in Baringo, which is about 100Kms every weekend to do my assignments and get updates from the university. The internet service at Marigat CKC has enabled me to save a lot of time and travel cost. I am very grateful since I am now connected to my college everyday. The centre has also helped young people seeking bursary funds and the youth fund since they can easily download the forms and apply for these services here.” R.Tumeiyo, a student from University of South Africa UNISA

A Model Community Knowldge Centre

The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) highlights the importance of harnessing information and communication technologies for poverty eradication. This concept is further encapsulated in various national and international frameworks for example the ‘digital villages concept’ in Kenya. During the year under review, ALIN and partners established and equipped 10 Community Knowledge Centres (Maarifa centres) in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. This was to facilitate community free access to information, and facilitate local knowledge documentation as ALIN’s contribution towards digital literacy in the marginalized areas of Eastern Africa . This is in recognition that the role of Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) is cross cutting and facilitative in deliverance of e-governance services, deliverance of development, educational information and as a direct source of income and employment especially to the youth.

School children in a computer training session in the Lukwanga CKC in Uganda

The Community Knowledge Centres (CKC) have catalysed the formation of information clubs in primary schools in centres like Isinya (in Kajiado), Lukwanga (in Uganda) and Ng’arua (in Nyahururu Kenya.) At Ng’arua, seven primary schools in Lariak division have introduced computer training lessons involving lower primary schools. The students are trained once a week at the Community Knowledge Centre.

6A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 0 7 - 2 0 0 8

The centers which are managed by a Community Information Volunteer together with a Community Knowledge Facilitator drawn from the local community offers a catalytic role in appropriate tele- centre services information and local knowledge documentation. Community Knowledge Centres are equipped with ICT facilities including a minimum of four computers, a printer, internet connectivity through a General Packet Radio Services (GPRS) and Information support materials on sustainable livelihood. The Community knowledge centres have promoted learning of ICTs at a primary school level in the rural marginalized areas .In Ng’arua, Community Knowledge Centre seven primary schools in Lariak division have sessions of ICT training which are facilitated by the Community Information Volunteer.

The CKCs have benefited Community Development Workers from government departments, local Non-Governmental Organizations and community members to access internet services in sending their reports and research activities. During the year, Shinyanga Maarifa centre in Tanzania received over 552 users who sought various services including information on sustainable livelihood ,typing, printing and internet use. In addition, community members have been trained on several computer packages at various CKCs. In Mutomo, 45 community members completed the MS Office packages (MS Word, Access, Power Point, Excel and Introduction to Windows 2000). Out of the 45, 35 were female.

7A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 0 7 - 2 0 0 8

YOUTH VOLUNTEER PROGRAM

“I had always wanted to be involved in development work after my university studies. The ALIN volunteerism has made me gain hands on experience in project work, has sharpened my negotiation skills and I have grown more confident and can do project reports very well. I have also broadened my world view by interacting with a rural community where there are challenges like low literacy levels, non-interest in ICT, reading and writing. These have taught me perseverance and encouraged me to in future come back to work at the community level where I can present a positive impact on the livelihood of people.”

- Amos Kiragu, a former volunteer at Nguruman CKC in Magadi. He presently is a customer care representative with East Africa’s biggest mobile phone communication company Safaricom.

The ALIN Youth Volunteer Program initiated in 2006 has continued to build the skills of youth to prepare them for the job market while facilitating local content generation and dissemination

The program has built a team of young professionals who understand community service and working at the community level. The volunteers were based at various centres under host organizations for a period of one year in Kenya Uganda and Tanzania. The host organization are ALINs partners at community level.

The year 2007-2008 saw the second group of thirteen community information volunteers graduate after effectively serving in the ALIN centres across East Africa. Among the roles executed were facilitating community members to document and disseminate local practices, which are shared across the

8A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 0 7 - 2 0 0 8

“Volunteering has exposed me to a variety of skills and experiences. Living in a hardship area has helped me mature and become independent and proactive. The experience has matched my professional skills, in that, my educational background is in Communications and being a Community Information Volunteer required me to use my skills to generate and disseminate information, as well as perform administrative duties.”

Says Leila Nyaanga, a volunteer who was attached at Garissa, North Eastern Kenya, under the ministry of livestock and fisheries and is now working with Catholic Relief Services in that same area.

Promotion of Dairy goats as an alternative source of income

ALIN network through various ALIN information channels. Beyond documentation of development practices, the Community Information Volunteers (CIVs acquired vital experience in communication for development and on the use of Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) for social transformation.

The volunteers also build capacity of community members on the use of ICTs to access and document development information. They played a vital role in documentation and served as information officers to the host organizations, most of whom do not have skilled information and documentation staff.

ALIN recognizes the special needs and challenges facing the girls and women professionals in accessing employment. Whereas ALIN targets securing 60 percent of women volunteer position, the year 2007-2008 realized a 46:54 male to female volunteer recruitment.

9A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 0 7 - 2 0 0 8

4.0 INFORMATION RESOURCES

I have been a regular recipient and contributor of articles in the Baobab. I wrote an article in issue 50 ‘Reducing Socio-economic dispari-ties,’ and for that I am really encouraged by that and promise to make more contributions towards the magazine and also through the ‘Open Enrich’ online knowledge portal. When I received my copy of the Baobab, I took the initiative of sharing it with some of my youthful friends in Kisumu, who are from the St. Stephen ACK church. I had two discussion sessions with them, each lasting about 45 minutes. I shared with them about the ALIN network and its modes of information sourcing, sharing and dissemination. They were very encouraged and even asked me to link them to ALIN so that they too can have their articles published. Apart from the ACK youth, I also shared the idea with some of my friends who are lecturers at Kenya Institute of Management, KIM Kisumu Branch. They too were encouraged and sought to have a copy of the Baobab so that they can see and read the articles published and shared through ALIN. I do wish you well in your job and pray that you keep on empowering us by information sourcing and dissemination.

Thanks and be blessed. Jacktone Omondi Ojow, Homa-Bay, Kenya

ALIN information resources aim at creating a pool of knowledgeable workers and community members able to use information to positively transform their livelihoods. The resources are unique in that there is greater involvement of the Community Development Workers, who also are the primary end users, in the process of generation and dissemination of this information.

ALIN’s flagship journal, the Baobab, now in its 19th year, was re-launched into a full colour and user-friendly format. Three issues were published in the year, reviewing a wide range of development experiences across the eastern Africa region. Issue 49 explored the power and opportunities of the ICTs in enriching community livelihoods and particularly towards achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) while issue 50, sought to create awareness on diverse resources available to communities in rural and remote areas and how they can be harnessed for development. The great re-launch was done in

10A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 0 7 - 2 0 0 8

issue 51 which highlighted climate change, dry land resources and adaptation experiences in Africa. The Baobab has a current primary readership of over 2,000 community development practitioners, most of who say information received through the journal is helping in transforming their lives.

Inserts featuring information on development of HIV and AIDS workplace policies and how different organizations and individuals can participate in the knowledge sharing processes through documentation and publishing in the KIC portal were also published and shared with ALIN members through the Baobab.

Video DocumentariesIn Climate change, local actions often have a global bearing. ALIN’s strategic direction is to play its role in climate change, which is one of its three thematic areas of focus. ALIN seeks to use its members and CKC as case studies and testimonies for education on the importance of low carbon footprints, and highlighting effective local adaptation mechanisms. In this regard, ALIN in collaboration with Oxfam Novib produced a DVD documentary ‘The Dry Lands’ which highlights effects of climate change in the arid areas. The DVD mainly features real life experience of ALIN Focal Group member, Agnes Mughi in Kyuso district in Kenya. The DVD was shared widely across the network and has been used as a teaching aid on effects of climate change and local level adaptation. Out of this experience, several groups, both local and international have conducted learning tours to Kyuso to have a first hand encounter with the subject.

‘Thanks very much to ALIN for keeping us informed through Baobab. We really liked Issue 45 that carried an article on ‘Why HIV and AIDS work place policy programme?’ This article has helped our organization, ‘Young Mothers and Vulnerable Children,’ to formulate a HIV and AIDS work place policy with support from the National Youth Organization for Development (NAYODE). We are now encouraging other Community Based Organisations to do the same.’

Kabugabe Jeniffer Abwooli, Kasese.

4.0 ONLINE INFORMATION PORTALS

I work in Garissa and frequently visit the ALIN information Centre to check for any new information. Among the things I have practised, is the control of pests using cow urine. I came across this information from an OpenEnrich print out which was posted on the Provincial Commissions’ notice board and this was from the ALIN Information Centre. I have also learnt more about drip irrigation, from a manual published by ALIN. I have implemented this in Wajir.

Mr. Ismail Sheikh, an Irrigation Officer from Wajir district

Open Knowledge Network (OKN): To facilitate documentation and dissemination of information on sustainable livelihood and facilitate replication of best practices, ALIN continues to use online information sharing portals. The OKN platform which runs on the openeNRICH software links the ALIN centres across East Africa. During the year, ALIN members around the centres documented over 688 local content on agriculture production techniques, environment, market and HIV. Some of these practices were replicated within the network. For example, students from Ngarua division in Kenya used an article ‘Making of a Tip tap,’ documented by Lukwanga CKC in Uganda as a science project.

KIC : ALIN played an active role in the implementation of the Oxfam NOVIB online information-sharing portal, referred to as Knowledge Infrastructure with and between Counterparts (KIC). ALIN integrated the KIC platform to its CKC model and as a result each of the CKCs continue to document and share good, innovative and bad practices from the local areas for wider sharing. During the year, ALIN made the greatest contribution to the KIC portal by publishing thirty five (35) good, innovative and bad practices.

11A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 0 7 - 2 0 0 8

In an effort to build ALIN’s organizational capacity and ensure strategic positioning, ALIN engaged both governmental and non-governmental actors locally, regionally and globally in areas of common interest and especially targeted ensuring free knowledge access at the community level. ALIN’s partnership with Kenya’s ICT regulator Communication Commission of Kenya (CCK), realized among others the establishment of a Community Knowledge Centre at Mutomo, which is not only helping in local content generation and dissemination but also in ICT skill development, free internet and information materials access by the local community.

An older partnership arrangement with the Institute for Development Studies IDS aimed at organizational capacity building, was widened to include sharing of knowledge dissemination avenues. It resulted into joint dissemination of IDS journal ‘ID21 Insights’ in the Baobab.

6.0 PARTNERSHIP FOR PROGRESS

12A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 0 7 - 2 0 0 8

“Our community now has access to the Local Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs, District and sub-county information, which was not there before and we had to travel over 30km to access such information. Thanks to Lukwanga Com-munity Knowledge Centre’s collaboration with the local NGOs and government institutions.”

Evaristo Ndduga, Farmer based at Lukwanga Parish in WakisoDistrict Uganda.

Participation of communities in arid areas of Kenya in national civic engagement has often been hampered by a combination of factors that include poor infrastructure development, low population hence less interest from the political class and being ignored by the mainstream media. As a result, their voices are never heard hence issues affecting them do not make it to the political debating table. In light of this ALIN and the Media Focus for Africa Foundation came together to share their organizational platforms to bring to the national arena ‘Voices from the Arid Lands.’ Media Focus for Africa Foundation (MFAF) provided 3G video and internet enabled phones, trained ALIN Community Information Volunteers on mobile phone reporting, where the videos generated were shared through MFAF website. The marginalized areas covered were Isiolo, Garissa, Homa-Bay, Kyuso, Mutomo, Nakuru, Nguruman, Isinya (Kajiado) Nyahururu and Marigat. The civic engagement focused on issues around the election process.

8.0 LOCAL NETWORKINGIn order to build capacity of community development workers, promote local level networking and offer an avenue for first hand intense sharing, ALIN organized a number of local forums, exchange visits, open days and farmer led learning processes. Through these network members share experiences and replicate activities learnt from each other. Open days were held at Ng’arua and Nguruman in Kenya and Lukwanga in Uganda. There were also exchange visits between Ng’arua and Kyuso. Nguruman Focal Group also visited Thika, Mwea, Embu, Siakago and Ishiara in Kenya.

“I learnt a lot from the Kyuso and have used the information on pest control in my farm and it is successful. As a group we have formed farmer to farmer exchange visit after learning the concept of Farmer Field Schools. I thank Kyuso community for their willingness to share information.”

Mureithi Charles from Ngarua Focal Group.

13A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 0 7 - 2 0 0 8

7.0 MOBILE PHONES IN CIVIC ENGAGEMENT

14A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 0 7 - 2 0 0 8

Income and expenditure statement for the Year ending 31.03.2008 Income by donors

Oxfam Novib 17,333,379.00

Ford Foundation 4,634,000.00

DFID 3,029,400.00

Other - Donor Grants 4,367,210.00

Miscellaneous Incomes 996,001.00

Total Income 30,359,990.00

Expenditure

Programme Costs 11,489,715.00

Administrative Costs 14,646,499.00

Total expenditure 26,136,214.00

Net income 4,223,776.00

8.0 FINANCIAL REPORT

9.0 THE ALIN TEAM

15A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 0 7 - 2 0 0 8

James NguoRegional Director

Noah LusakaPartnerships and Networking Manager

Paskwalina MorissAdministrative Assistant

Peter Kyalo MuindiDriver

Michael KinyanjuiPrograms Cordinator

Polycarp Otieno OnyangoCommunication and Publications Officer

Roseline NgusaFinance and AdministrationManager

Esther Lung’ahiKnowledge Worker

VISION: A Knowledge Driven Society

ARID LANDS INFORMATION NETWORK (ALIN)

MISSION: To enhance livelihoods of com-munities through information

exchange