Location:

Nakuru District, Riftvalley

Donor:

USAID /APHIAPLUS Rift Valley.

The project aims

1. To reach 10,000 individuals in the transport sub sector with comprehensive information on HIV & AIDS, STI’s, TB, Malaria, RH/FP and ANC Services with prevention messages and promotion of health services through small groups or one on one meetings.
2. To reach 5,000 Matatu Crew and their Sexual Partners with clinical services including HCT, STI screening and treatment, TB screening and Treatment and Family Planning.
3. To reach 3,000 female partners of males in the transport sector with comprehensive information on HIV & AIDS, STI’s, RH/FP and Cancer of the Cervix Screening and treatment
4. To reach 3,000 individuals in the transport Sub-Sector with information on alcohol and drug dependence through AA support groups
5. To build the capacity of 1,000 individuals in the transport sub-sector in economic/entrepreneurship to develop and execute action plans.

Achievements

1. Trained 90 peer educators that involved in project implementation. i.e. 35 Njoro, 35 Kiamunyi, 6 Langa Langa, 6 Free Area and 8 Shabab
2. Establishment of 2 new Drop In centers at Kiamunyi and Njoro routes
3. Established 5 functional AA clubs 2 Shabab, 2 Langa Langa and 1 Free Area.
4. Empowered peer educators to run individual businesses, where 2 peer educators have opened i.e. Hair Cut Shop,Grocery and car wash.

Success story

Peter Maina was recruited as a Peer Educator in the Matatu crew project and trained in March 2011. As a driver Maina earned between Kshs 500 – 1000 a day, cash that he always spent half of it daily saving the rest for weekend raves at the clubs. During the weekends he and other colleagues spent heavily the entire savings and were even declared members of various club houses in Nakuru. Lots of women hang around them knowing there were easy sex, free drinks and cash around them. “I could even have sex with 3 or more women in a single night” says Maina.
This happened until early 2011. Having been recruited to the program, Maina developed close allies with Alex Kamau a pioneer Peer Educator in the project. “He mentioned to me about a business club, an idea I fell for” Peter recounts. “When one time Paul, the Project Coordinator came with a business entrepreneur from equity bank, I was dead convinced that I needed a bank account and start saving for self development.” Maina adds.

Maina reduced his weekend raves and with time it was a thing of the past.
He saved and 4 months down the line he established a business at kivumbini area. He set up a structure that housed a kinyozi, Video Library and play station. From the small business he earns between Kshs 1000 – 1500 daily a top up from his wages as a driver plying the Langa-Langa route.

This is after the labourers have taken a share of their wages. “I only spend the cash I earn as a Matatu driver, the business earningsare saved as I plan to expand the same and better my living standards.” “If the project never identified me maybe I’d even be HIV positive by now. I would still be spending my entire savings on women and never grow. I hope the project will stay longer to support others too.” The empowered Maina concludes