Stories of Change: Big Changes for the Future of Ariamawoi Village Through Community Empowerment

In the heart of Meru County, Kenya, lies the small but resilient village of Ariamawoi and its Turkana community. This community has long fought against isolation and resource scarcity. Their living conditions have relied heavily on NGOs and church donors, as they have had no access to government support. Thanks to the community’s determination and the support of InformAction, the situation took a turn for the better in 2024. 

The Turkana community resides in a remote area with limited resources and has historically been very dependent on external donors who have helped improve access to water and education. The region’s only early childhood education centre (ECDE) was established by an NGO, but there is still a need for additional resources, such as benches and educational materials. 

A turning point came when the community decided to establish a Community Action Team (CAT). InformAction, supported by KIOS, helped the community in this endeavour. The team became the voice of the community’s desires and was a testament to the power of a determined group. The team did not form overnight but after several community meetings and discussions. In February 2024, the group decided to draft a memorandum and participate in the county’s public participation forum regarding the county’s fiscal strategy. This was a significant turning point: for the first time, their concerns were addressed. At the forum, CAT presented improvement requests for four critical areas: road connections and access, water supply, equipping the early childhood education centre, and the construction of a health facility.  

Towards Better Education, Safer Roads, and Cleaner Water 

The community’s efforts were not in vain, as the IFA supported CAT got its wishes. The Meru County government listened to their concerns and promised improvements: equipping the early childhood education centre, drilling a well for water, and improving local murram roads.  

This victory sparked a strong desire within the action team to continue working toward more progress. CAT actively contacted various county offices, including those focused on education and water, to inquire about the timelines for the promised projects. Their actions not only ensured the promised measures were on track but also instilled a sense of accountability within the county government. CAT also ensured the community stayed informed by providing a copy of the county plan in which their requests were officially documented. 

The journey was not easy, and political disputes slowed progress. However, the community’s determination and resilience remained unshaken. Ariamawoi Village is now a strong example of what can be achieved when community members unite for a common goal. Their journey toward inclusion and empowerment inspires others in similar situations, proving that through community solidarity and action, positive change is not only possible but fully achievable. The residents of Ariamawoi have written a new story for their village—a story of hope, resilience, and a bright future. 

InformAction Continues Its Work Using the Power of Film, Communities, and Dialogue 

InformAction (IFA) is a Kenyan, non-profit human rights organization established in 2010. IFA uses the power of film, community engagement, and dialogue to inspire ordinary people to speak out and act against injustices. They aim to inspire individuals to recognize and defend their rights, foster hope, overcome fear of authority, and demand accountability, good governance, and respect for human rights. KIOS has been funding InformAction’s projects since 2018. 

IFA works with communities, community-based organizations (CBOs), activist groups, and CBO networks, having established over 300 community action teams (CATs) and community journalist teams (CAJs) in rural and remote areas across Kenya. In these areas, IFA builds a broad, unique database of human rights issues and social change actions, which are used to foster community discourse and people’s movements in other communities. The films produced by IFA are available on their website. 

As Kenya’s human rights situation is challenged by issues such as high inflation, economic difficulties, particularly in rural areas, the threat of rising taxes, political unrest, and environmental challenges like droughts and floods, it is important that organizations like InformAction can continue their work to support community participation and activate citizens and communities. 

The human rights foundation KIOS has supported InformAction’s work since 2018 with funding from the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ development cooperation.