Hay baling as a business for former street children in Kenya

摘要

Destitutechildrenareprovidedwithfood,shelterandeducationingovernmentandnon-profitcentresinmanyAfricancountries.Theirsuccessfulre-entryintosocietyremainsachallengeduetodifficultyfindinggainfulemployment.WereportonaninitiativetoassistyouthattheChildrenandYouthEmpowermentCentreinNyeritostarttheirownbusinesses.AthrivingsuburbandairysectorinKenyahasledtostrongdemandforhay.Haycanbeproducedintheruralareas,baled,andtransportedtothetowns.Weintroducedlow-costequipmenttoproducehaybales:Scythestomowgrass,andapush-throughmanualhaybalertomakedensebales.Youthweretrainedinoperatingandmaintainingscythesandconstructionofthemanualhaybaler.Theyformeda4-personhay-balingteamthatmademorethan500balesforlocalfarmers,beingpaidbythebale,enablingthemtogenerateuptoUS$5ppperday.Existenceofanactivehaymarket,skillstraining,asupportingorganization,mentors,andprojectcontinuityovermanyyearswereidentifiedasthekeyfactorsleadingtosuccess.