One of our strategic aims (see SI#6) is to reduce over-reliance on donor funding by developing local income sources[25]. This is both to sustain parish operations and to model self-reliance to our community. Here are key projects in that vein:
- Parish Rental Stalls and Houses: In 2020, we constructed a small commercial building at the edge of the parish plot facing the road – consisting of 4 rental stalls/shops on the ground floor and 2 small apartments on the upper floor. This was done using a diocesan micro-loan and parishioners’ contributions. Currently, all units are occupied: there’s a tailoring shop, a small convenience kiosk, a M-Pesa (mobile money) agent, and a juice/fruit stand in the stalls, and two young parish families rent the apartments. The rental income generated each month covers a significant portion of the parish’s utility bills and the stipend for support staff. We’ve set the rent at reasonable local rates (to support the tenants too) and prefer giving spaces to parishioners or church-friendly businesses when possible. This project has been a win-win: it provides a service to the neighborhood and steady income for the parish. If funds allow, we may expand with a second block or additional rooms in future.
- Kadongoleni/Muyeye Farm Project: This was an ambitious initiative started in 2019 on a leased 2-acre piece of land in Kadongoleni (a semi-rural area not far from Muyeye). Envisioned as a youth-run mixed farm, the idea was to engage unemployed youth in productive work while generating income. We began with about 180 layer chickens for eggs, and some small livestock: rabbits, quails, doves, turkeys, along with gardening of passion fruit, okra, tomatoes, and a few coconut & mango trees already on the plot. Initially, under guidance of a Jesuit brother experienced in agriculture, the youth managed to produce ~130 eggs/day at peak (about 4 trays). These were sold to parishioners after Mass at Ksh 300 per tray, which was competitive and provided fresh eggs to the community.
However, the project faced challenges: youth participation was inconsistent (some left seeking quicker incomes), feed costs rose, and theft of produce occurred. We have learned from these setbacks. The project is still running, but scaled down; we maintain about 50 layers now and grow vegetables mainly for demonstration and parish use. Crucially, it has served as a training ground – a handful of youth who engaged have since started their own small poultry or kitchen gardens at home. The parish is rethinking the model: perhaps to incorporate it as part of the school (like teaching kids farming) or to form a cooperative so that more ownership by locals ensures success. The vision remains to impart agricultural and financial skills to youth and promote food security. With improved strategy and maybe hiring a dedicated farm manager, we hope to revive and expand it.
- Women & Youth Poultry/Gardening Projects: In addition to the big farm, the parish through CWA and Youth group launched smaller income initiatives:
- The CWA Poultry Project: A group of women contributed to start raising 50 broiler chickens in one member’s compound, with profits to be shared for their welfare fund and part given to the church. The first cycle in 2023 was modestly successful; they sold chickens during Christmas season and used the profit to buy new altar cloths for the church and support a needy widow. The project continues with adjustments (like scheduling cycles before festive seasons when demand is high).
- The Youth Vegetable Garden: Using a small corner of parish land, the youth set up a vegetable patch growing kale (sukuma wiki) and amaranth. They practice organic farming using compost from the farm project. These veggies are sold to parishioners at a table after Mass. It’s not huge revenue, but it keeps the youth engaged and funds some of their activities (plus everyone gets fresh, healthy greens!). It also ties into environmental care by demonstrating sustainable practices.
These micro-projects have the added benefit of building community. People love that after praying together, they can also support each other economically, whether by buying an egg or a tomato from a fellow parishioner. It fosters solidarity and shows that the church cares about everyday life, not just Sunday worship.
- Parish Cooperative Savings Scheme: While not a “project” per se, it’s worth noting we started a parish merry-go-round savings group in 2022. Parish staff and some council members contribute a small amount monthly and each month the pooled amount is given to one member (rotationally). This traditional practice helps members tackle personal needs (school fees, etc.) without formal loans. We encourage SCCs to do similar. In future, we might formalize a Sacco (Savings and Credit Cooperative) for parishioners if interest grows, enabling access to loans for small businesses or emergencies at low interest.
Overall, these income and development projects aim to strengthen the parish’s financial base and uplift our people’s livelihoods. We balance between mission and business – always ensuring our business efforts align with Christian values (for example, we won’t rent to someone selling inappropriate or harmful products, etc.) and that any profit is a means to better serve the mission, not an end in itself. Parishioners are regularly updated on project finances and we often involve them in deciding how to use profits (most agree it goes to improvements or charity).