Influenced by the new development paradigm, which puts people before things, IREMO follows a participatory approach in every sphere of its work. The traditional knowledge of grass root communities and women opinions are valued and respected, and there is confidence that all people are capable of leading their responses. On a practical level, the fundamental drive of this approach is decentralization, inclusion and empowerment.

For a community to be able to work for its own development and reduce its dependency there is a need for full & inclusive involvement at all stages of the development cycle. The participation of communities in identification, planning, management, implementation and evaluation of projects is a key factor in IREMO work. Internally a participatory approach is adopted in managing the affairs of IREMO.

Visibly, IREMO role as a “change agent” helps to develop community management structures that are capable of managing their own development. This increases the ability of the community to demand accountability in all their affairs, from leaders and officials. It reinforces the community’s belief in the value of their own development choices and efforts. These community management structures are not parallel structures, but are built upon traditional institutions, promoting equitable representation and participation. Due to frequent drought as a result of climate change, IREMO facilitate communities in the area of preparedness and provision of cash of work/voucher in times of emergency.

Human resource development is an essential part of our development work. This means ensuring that the community is trained and skilled, as well as organized, to maximize the potential of the community to take hold of its own development.

IREMO strongly believes in maximizing its impact by transferring field experiences into knowledge to influence the development policies and practices of NGOs, donors and government agencies. This is important for working towards the long-term goal of eradicating poverty.

ACHIEVEMENTS

Campaigns and advocacy

• Awareness creation on women and children’s rights (early marriage, access to education, Fgm, leadership), through series of workshop which had a positive impact. Since the inception, the project has saved 11 girls from early marriage, supported 35 children (21 girls and 14 boys) to go back to school all in their youthful age. Some of those supported are now working.
• Advocacy program to create enabling environment for the community to demand for their rights in service provision from service providers through establishment 11 of community animators.
• Sensitization on community Land Act of 2016 and community land registration. IREMO partnered with ISID and Kivulini in sensization of community representatives, political leaders and grassroot structures.

Promotion of alternative Livelihoods and food security

• IREMO provided grants to 42 community groups, which have established project under food security, WASH, income generating activities and peace building. In particularly, Hurri Hills Farmers field school have not only secured food but became a role model for pastoralist that income is not only in animals but beneath and on the soil.
• Provided capacity building for women’s groups to enhance their production skills, promote solidarity of women through formation of solidarity groups, empower women economically by helping them establish micro projects for income generation to 35 women groups and 10 youth groups across the County.
• In the spirit and principle of leaving no one behind, the organization has supported young mothers who are between 17 to 20 years and who have been forcefully evicted from their parental homes as a result to start IGAs. Eleven such groups with an average membership of 35 have so far been supported
• Supported 4 youth groups to register Business Company. This has helped one group to get contract from County government of Marsabit

Reduced environmental degradation

• Due to climate change and pastoralist lifestyle of moving in search of water and pasture has led to unsustainable utilization of natural resources as livestock and human settlement are concentrated in secure areas. The organization has engaged pastoralist communities to fence their animals using stones rather than cutting trees, idea which has been picked around Maikona and Bubisa
• The 35 women groups target by the organization has also been trained on the use energy saving jiko that uses less firewood. Since some of the energy saving jiko are not acceptable by the culture, an imitation of the same has been tailor made on their existing tradition firestone by every household
• Support 4 integrated fodder production and vegetable farm in the ward of Maikona and Kargi ward. The fodder produced was used to feed the remaining weak livestock in the severe drought of 2022

Champion for Community led response for resilience building and emergency response

• IREMO has taken the lead to pilot the application of an evolving practice for supporting communities to lead their own holistic responses to the humanitarian crisis in which they find themselves. A total of 20 communities have identified volunteers (a village elder, a woman and a youth) who will document what communities identify as needs, analyse, capacity available and gaps that exist. The information is open for sharing with external actors. So far 3 communities have benefited from budget planning at ward and constituency level
• Community Resource Persons-CRP volunteers participated in ward budget planning where they presented their community needs. Five community priorities (3 Hurri hills and 2 Loglogo) were included in the budget for 2020/2021 financial year
• Identification of vulnerable people for support by community members. IREMO gave opportunities to community members through their CPR to identify needy people in the community to benefit from Covid-19 small emergency fund (cash and hand washing buckets and soaps) in 2020. This process opened a new chapter of self-leadership and decision making in the community. It was a transparent and accountable way of dealing with humanitarian issues.