Applied Research in International Development

Impacting Gender Equality and TVET Education (Ongoing)

First Operational Breastfeeding Facility Developed at a TVET Institution in Kenya Under the Kenya Education for Employment Project (KEFEP-02)

Kenyan national polytechnics have made great efforts to recognize inequalities and create gender initiatives that create safe institutions for women to pursue TVET education. As part of the KEFEP-02 project, polytechnics such as Sigalagala NP set up gender committees to continuously advocate and improve accessibility and safety for female students, including the opening of the first breastfeeding facility at a Kenyan National Polytechnic.

When Sigalagala NP opened its doors after national lockdowns during the Covid-19 pandemic, many female trainees returned to the institution pregnant or having recently given birth. Many had little or no support and had to bring their young infants to the institution, hoping a fellow student could watch them during their class. The lack of a reliable care system forced many women to miss classes, risking dropout and losing out on learning. To support women, their children, and their education, SNP and Humber Polytechnic created the breastfeeding facility for female students to care for and breastfeed their children between class, leave them with a dedicated caregiver when needed, and build a supportive community with other female students facing the same challenges.

The number of students using the facility increased from 18 to 43 after sixteen months of operation. Many users have noted that the facility has helped them to continue with their training because they otherwise would not have a safe space to leave their babies while attending classes. They have also reported that the location is beneficial because it allows trainees to visit their child throughout the day, reducing travel time if they were at an off-campus daycare. Trainees have also said that the facility has enabled their children to interact with other children while allowing caregivers to socialize with other caregivers and created a stress-free environment for trainees to complete their TVET education.

“In my case, I would have struggled. Before I knew there was a breastfeeding facility at school, I did not attend classes because I was at home taking care of my child. Now, I can attend my classes comfortably because I leave the child at the facility and go to the class, and I can check on her anytime.” – female trainee and breastfeeding facility user

“…..to my community, being a female TVET student is empowering. When someone sees me [a woman] in a TVET institution, I can inspire someone who is younger than me. It can inspire other women like me.” – female trainee and breastfeeding facility user.

Clearing Waterways in Kisumu

First combined water hyacinth harvester under the Kenya Education for Employment Project (KEFEP-02)

Under the KEFEP-02, faculty at the international partner institution, The Kisumu National Polytechnic (TKNP) in Kenya, received support to complete the first combined hyacinth harvester in Kenya, which will clear waterways from the invasive water hyacinth weed in Lake Victoria.

Water hyacinth is an invasive aquatic plant found worldwide. It rapidly reproduces and blocks sunlight from reaching oxygen levels in water systems. The invasive species affect water ecosystems, slow down water flow, obstruct irrigation canals, delay hydroelectric and water treatment plants, and interfere with recreational activities such as fishing.

Innovator Samson Obuya at TKNP spent 21 years planning and designing the water hyacinth combine harvester. Obuya made the harvester a class project for students to use their skills in a hands-on environment through welding, fabrication, wiring, chemical testing, plumbing, automation and painting.

With funding from the KEFEP-02 project and support from Humber’s Faculty of Applied Sciences & Technology, the water hyacinth combine harvester will harvest the weed, clear the waterways, clean the water, and open the water for transportation and the fishing industry. It will also turn the hyacinth weed into crops to produce animal feed, manure, and weeds for biogas and mulching.

Improving Agricultural Productivity in Kakamega

Intelligent Solar PV-Powered Drip Irrigation System for Improved Agricultural Productivity in Shinyalu Sub-County

Partner institution Sigalagala National Polytechnic (SNP) combined solar pumping with drip irrigation to address the agricultural gap farmers face. Farmers produce 70% of the worlds’ food needs, yet many farmers live in rural areas without basic agricultural tools and training. Through the Kenya Education for Employment Program (KEFEP-02), SNP formed a relationship with One Acre Fund, a multinational group of agricultural experts whose activities are located in the western region of Kenya.

Population increases, unpredictable climate patterns and the need to secure food for the population require special efforts to guide the agricultural sector towards environmentally sustainable consumption of water, selection of technology, use of chemicals or fertilizer and safe waste management of farms. One Acre Fund will provide Sigalagala National Polytechnic with training and experience to address the lack of basic agricultural tools and training, while SNP supplies irrigation through the Solar PV-Powered Drip Irrigation System. Using solar pumps and micro-drip, the system will maximize the amount of land that can be irrigated and use optimum water storage and delivery systems. It will also use optimum fertilizer delivery rates and serve numerous families with a single pump and irrigation system.