Mothers in Mandera North are beginning to harvest their crops for the first time, a hopeful milestone in a region long plagued by drought and food insecurity.
In Griza village, the Lamahuran Mother-to-Mother Support Group is celebrating the fruits of their labour, made possible through the HANAANO climate-resilience program led by RACIDA in partnership with Concern Worldwide and funded by Irish Aid.
The HANAANO initiative, which means “flourishing” in Somali, is empowering women to lead the transformation of their communities by promoting profitable and climate-smart livelihood strategies.
A total of 1,563 mothers across Mandera East, Mandera North, Banisa, and Kiliwaheri have received agricultural inputs, including seeds, tools, and technical training to strengthen their resilience against erratic weather and rising food costs.
RACIDA said the project also supports women through Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs), where they gain financial literacy and access to small loans to invest in their farms, families, and futures.
To date, 97 VSLAs have been formed, creating vital economic lifelines in areas where formal banking services remain out of reach.
In these support groups, mothers are not only cultivating crops but also confidence and leadership.
The savings they generate are becoming stepping stones toward greater self-reliance, improved household nutrition, and stronger education outcomes for their children.
With drought and climate change continuing to challenge arid and semi-arid regions like Mandera, initiatives like HANAANO are proving that locally led, women-driven solutions can yield lasting impact.