Strengthening OVCs Economic Resilience—Stakeholder Engagement in Uasin Gishu
USAID AMPATH Uzima’s Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) program actively empowers caregivers, who often run small business ventures to sustain their households, through training and connection to resources.
In collaboration with AMPATH’s Population Health program in Uasin Gishu County, the program convened a stakeholder engagement meeting in Eldoret earlier this month that brought together strategic partners including the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), Kenya Industrial Research & Development Institute (KIRDI), and the Uasin Gishu County Government’s Directorate of Trade & Industry and Directorate of Cooperatives.
“Through collaboration, USAID AMPATH Uzima remains committed to strengthening household economic resilience and integrating health and livelihood support for OVCs, ensuring they are empowered to sustain their families long after program support ends,” said Dr. Beatrice Jakait, Deputy Chief of Party. "Our aim is to reach people with resources to make their lives better."
The discussions centered on practical interventions to reduce economic vulnerability among OVC caregivers. Stakeholders committed to providing tangible pathways to growth:
Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) – Guidance on product quality assurance and certification for compliance and market competitiveness.
Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute (KIRDI) – Training opportunities and support in product innovation and development.
County Government of Uasin Gishu—Encouragement for business registration to unlock benefits such as low-interest financing through cooperatives and market linkages.
Key resolutions from the stakeholder meeting included:
Establishing regular stakeholder forums to review progress
Linking home savings groups to loan facilities through the Directorate of Cooperatives
Facilitating market access and product promotion
Promoting registration and compliance for KEBS certification
Contacts were exchanged for ongoing mentorship and support, with a unified call for the small business owners to formalize their businesses. Uasin Gishu County Coordinator Mr. Reuben Kipsang and OVC Household Economic Strengthening Officers Dennis Malesi and Jared Oduol (OVC Data) as well as Pamela Busienei of the AMPATH Population Health (Integrating Social Determinants of Health (SDH) for the success of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) program participated in the meeting.
“We want to help OVC caregivers become self-reliant and independent,” summarized Dr. Jakait.
