In Kenya’s arid regions, earning a livelihood is challenging. Through Caritas’ project, communities are finding new ways to improve food security and build more sustainable sources of income.
Josephine Akai lives in Kangatotha Ward in Turkana County, Kenya. For many years, her livelihood depended on local goats that produced very little milk. Feeding her family was a constant challenge, and she often had to spend scarce income on buying milk. Life felt uncertain, and the future offered little hope.
Things began to change when Josephine joined the Sustainable Livelihoods and Improved Nutrition in Kenya project, led by Caritas Finland and implemented in partnership with Caritas Lodwar. Through the project, she received Toggenburg goats and training on improved livestock management. She learned how to feed and care for the animals properly, identify diseases early, maintain good hygiene practices, and provide better housing. The training helped her see livestock not only as a means of survival but also as a viable source of income.
The impact was immediate. The improved goats produced enough milk to meet her family’s daily needs, eliminating the need to purchase milk. As a result, her children’s nutrition improved, and the family gained a greater sense of stability and food security.
Over time, Josephine’s herd grew as the goats reproduced. Today, she owns several healthy and productive Toggenburg goats. The benefits of the improved breed have spread beyond her household, as many families in her village and neighbouring communities have begun cross-breeding their local goats after seeing the results firsthand.
The goats have also become an important source of income. Josephine has sold several animals at good prices and used the earnings to acquire more goats and expand her herd. In some cases, one Toggenburg goat can be exchanged for two local goats, helping her build her livestock assets even more quickly.
Today, livestock keeping is far more than a survival strategy for Josephine. It provides milk, income, and security for her family. She is able to meet household needs, invest in the future, and make decisions that strengthen her family’s long-term wellbeing.
Josephine’s story reflects the wider impact of the project across Turkana. More families now have access to improved livestock breeds, increased milk production, and stronger livelihoods. These changes are improving food security, strengthening resilience, and helping communities build a more hopeful future.
According to Josephine, the support she received has completely transformed her life. It has enabled her to care for her family more independently and look ahead with confidence. “My goats have given me the strength to stand on my own, take care of my family, and look to the future with hope.”
