Muranga recovering alcoholics venture into farming

Muranga recovering alcoholics venture into farming

A total of 80 recovering alcoholics have decided to venture into small scale farming in Murang’a County in bid to kick the habit.

The former addicts turned a new leaf after President Uhuru Kenyatta declared war against alcoholism in the country, leaving them with nothing to indulge in before they were rescued by a Good Samaritan.

Most of them lived by the bottle for years and could now acknowledge the father of their rebirth, Anthony Chege, who took the initiative to drag the youths from the dens and restore hope into their lives through provision of counseling and a home based rehabilitation programme.

One of the victims, Alexander Kimani, narrated to Citizen TV on the transformation of his life and the joy of getting back on his feet with the dreams that were once shattered restored and ready to conquer the world.

Kimani said that he choose to clean the skeletons in his closet after President Kenyatta declared war on illicit brew and leaving him with no other alternative.

Through the assistance of Kadea Youth Groups founder, the recovering addicts joined hands and formed 18 groups with an aim to change and encourage some of their friends who were still indulging in alcoholism.

Speaking while tending to their farm at Kaharati area of Maragua Constituency, Kimani noted that after undergoing counseling and rehabilitation, eight groups soldiered on and embarked on different projects including farming, poultry and rabbit keeping.

Referring to his group known as ‘Kadea B’ he said that they chose to try out their luck on farming which has been doing well so far with tomatoes, spinach, kales and other vegetables showing their undying passion in their project.

On his part, Chege said that the group members had been determined and were making some money from the farm, which they save for the group to secure loans to purchase motorcycles that will earn them more income.

Another group member, Joseph Kimani, said that his life had now changed and he was happy to be free from the bondage of alcoholism.

“Farming has changed our lives in a big way by keeping us engaged, leaving us with little time to idle around and helping us avoid the temptation to indulge in alcoholism,” Joseph added.

He called upon his fellow youth who were still indulging in alcoholism to stop and find work to earn a decent living.

On his part, the founder Kadea Youth Groups, Anthony Chege, who is also their patron, said his main objective was to fight alcoholism and idleness through the formation of groups to engage in income generating activities.

He is said that he was delighted with the projects that the recovering addicts had embarked on, saying his dreams of seeing them sober and empowered had come to reality.

He was quick to note that the only challenge they were facing was capital to start off, he urged sponsors to give a hand in the purchase of seedlings, fertilizers and other farm inputs.

The group patron also noted that sometimes their produce is sold for low prices due to a surplus in the market, but noted that they were planning to farm off-season crops that would fetch a good price.

Chege said that he has plans to expand the project to other areas of Murang’a County, noting that all sub-counties are affected by alcoholism.

To achieve this, the anti-alcoholism ambassador has been engaging the youth in sporting activities such as organizing football leagues in different sub-counties to create awareness on drug and alcohol abuse

Martin Musyoka, a beneficiary said that football had helped them avoid drugs and alcohol since they are busy training.

The football club clinched a trophy in a recent football tournament.

Musyoka called upon the organisers and other sponsors to chip in and reach as many youths as possible through sports.

Jemima Gathoni contributed to this story

 

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farming war on drugs murang'a county alcoholics

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