Local Partner: FAIYA Cultural Women Group
Background and objective:
The project aims to strengthen the work of traditional medical practitioners in Isiolo County, northern Kenya, in order to support their professional practice, promote knowledge exchange between the practitioners and younger generations, and enhance solidarity. The project will also create an inventory of biotic and abiotic medicinal elements, map their ecological and geographical distribution, and promote their in situ and ex situ conservation in the Waso region. Furthermore, the project will also support the improvement of already existing healing centers, document traditional healing processes, promote the transmission of knowledge to the younger generations, and enhance capacity building for Faiya women.
Local partner information: The Faiya Cultural Women Group is self help group based in Isiolo County and is comprised of twenty members. Its mission is to sustainably conserve and promote cultural diversity in order to strengthen indigenious peoples capacity to influence local and national policies and promote traditional lifeways. It works to support sustenance of cultural practices and promote diversity ; traditional arts and performances ;enhance transmission of traditional knowledge ; promote and preserve cultural heritage ; promote traditional knowledge on medicinal plants and animals and to empower traditional healers in the community . Faiya participates in cultural activities such as performances of traditional songs and dances, production and showcasing of cultural artefacts, and participation in traditional healing practices. The Group specializes in the production key holders, necklaces, cups and other products from locally obtained camel and cattle bones and horns.
Equipped healing centers with beds/beddings, shelves, birth delivery coach, solar powered, grinding machines, safety/preventive equipments and toilets.
Enhanced training of Thirty( 30) School children on ethno medicineEnhanced sharing of ideas and experience between elders and children of traditional healers. Healing process documente.Efficacy of healing process assessed / monitored. Healing centre established and equipped.