Harvesting Change: How David Secured His Family’s Future with Seedlings and Poultry

David Itu, a widower and a father of 8 children and 4 grandchildren from Kathini village, Kitui County, once struggled with food insecurity, low farm yields, and the painful reality of his children missing education opportunities due to poverty. When he joined Umiisyo wa Ndiwa Self-Help Group (SHG), formed through ADSE’s interventions, with widows and widowers in his community he acquired trainings on village savings and loans, advanced farming practices. Upon adoption, David not only stabilized food production but also embraced new income-generating ventures. As an environmental champion, he established a tree nursery, earning KES 69,000 from selling seedlings. This income enabled him to pay school fees, support his household, and reinvest in poultry farming. With savings and loans from the group’s VSLA, he expanded his flock, ensuring steady income, improved nutrition for his children and grandchildren, and reduced household vulnerability. Today, David envisions scaling up poultry production with a solar -powered incubator, aiming to hatch and sell up to 500 chicks monthly. His journey reflects resilience, empowerment, and the ripple effect of community-driven development.

“After selling 2,300 tree seedlings, I earned KES 69,000 and I was able to pay my son’s school fees and I saved some money in our group’s VSLA. The tree nursery has truly transformed my life. I am happy because I can now sell and meet household expenses while my family enjoys nutritive meals from my poultry project.” David Narrates.