Transforming Mission: Livelihood Development

Canadian Baptist Ministries' project officer, William Wako, 

instructing a group of farmers on conservation agriculture 

techniques in Garissa District, Kenya.

Throughout this year, we will be highlighting different aspects of Integral Mission in the work of Canadian Baptist Ministries (CBM) and our partner churches in Africa. We believe that the redemptive work of Christ transforms every aspect of life. As Canadian Baptists we are committed to helping local churches bring hope and healing into the brokenness of their communities through living out the love and truth of Christ in word and in deed.

Livelihood Development

When we think of our rural initiatives, "food security" is often the first thing that comes to mind. Throughout every country where we are working in Africa, agricultural ministries are crucial. Together with our church partners, we are concerned with helping to improve food production through conservation agriculture. This is certainly an important aspect of helping a community ensure that households have access to affordable food that is produced in a sustainable and responsible way. 

But food security also looks at the bigger picture. What happens to a community when there is drought or crop failure? What other sources of income can be used to supplement the diet of families in a community that may produce a particular crop, but little else? What other service needs exist within a particular community? What other opportunities exist for people in a community to support themselves? These questions often lead our food security programs to consider the issue of sustainable livelihoods.

A group of women learning tailoring skills at the 

Redeemed Gospel Church training project in Garissa

Household livelihood improvement is an important aspect of many of the ministries that Canadian Baptists and our partner churches are engaged with throughout Africa.  In a place like North Eastern Province, having alternative sources of income generation can make the difference between a family getting through times of hardship and becoming completely destitution. Diversification of livelihoods is about helping people learn skills and leverage their resources to better support themselves and their families. 

Over the past nine years, we have had the pleasure of coming along side of churches and local community based organizations that are equipping people and small groups with support and training in entrepreneurship, small business creation, financial management, and skills training. We are seeing a diversity of income generating activities from getting delicate fruit to market, to the production and sale of tree seedlings, clothing, basketry, ceramics, floor coverings, soap, detergent, crafts, jewelry, prepared food items and catering services.

Beyond production, livelihood creation initiatives have also helped individuals start businesses as skilled trades people. One of our great surprises early on in our work in Dadaab, was the number of skilled trades women who were mechanics and welders working in local garages after having received vocational training from Canadian Baptist Ministries. Today we are seeing vulnerable communities becoming strengthened through beneficiaries that are becoming involved in the marketplace through training in computer technologies, wood working, hair dressing, trailoring, and retail.

In order to support the launch of micro enterprises, we have encouraged the formation of self help groups and farming cooperatives that save and loan funds for the start up of small businesses. In addition to the financial benefit of being a member of these groups, individuals also receive support, encouragement and accountability from their peers. The risk of starting a new income generating activity becomes shared by the group as they care for one another and seek to improve the lives of their children and community.

Canadian Baptist Ministries' project officer, Geoffrey Mwita, 

assisting a local church with their agriculture project in Garissa.

Finally, livelihood development ministries are about building relationships with people where the love and hope of Christ is demonstrated and shared. More than just projects, Integral Mission is about  helping the local church to participate in the work of God in the lives of our neighbours.  It is about being present and involved in the lives of people. In a world that is so often task orientated, we realize that the connections that happen between people of faith and their neighbours is where God moves and changes lives.