Empowering Grandparents Through Weekly Saving

At the heart of the Oyugis Integrated Project (OIP) is a commitment to restoring dignity and building sustainable livelihoods for all, especially the vulnerable members of our community. One such group is the elderly—grandparents who regularly visit OIP for support, encouragement, and community interaction. In a significant step toward long-term empowerment, OIP has recently launched a weekly savings initiative specifically tailored to these grandparents.

The saving training, which began early this season, has started on a promising note. The grandparents have been grouped together and encouraged to save a small amount of money each week. The goal is simple yet powerful: to equip them with the financial ability to purchase certified seeds and fertilizer when the next planting season arrives.

In many rural communities, especially those dependent on subsistence farming, one of the biggest challenges is the lack of access to quality farm inputs. Many families, particularly elderly-headed households, are forced to plant untreated seeds without fertilizer, resulting in poor yields and persistent food insecurity. This cycle of low productivity further entrenches poverty and reliance on aid.

The OIP initiative seeks to break this cycle. By training the grandparents in basic savings skills and group accountability, and by promoting a culture of preparation, OIP is helping them regain control over their farming practices and outcomes. The grandparents have responded with great enthusiasm, recognizing the long-term benefits of collective saving and planning.

OIP is confident that this simple intervention will boost their agricultural productivity, enhance food security, and strengthen community solidarity. With better yields, these grandparents will not only feed their families but also reduce their dependency on emergency support.

As the savings groups continue to grow and mature, OIP plans to offer additional training on sustainable agriculture, small-scale agribusiness, and post-harvest storage techniques—ensuring that this initiative becomes a stepping stone to lasting change.