This project compliments our Fishing in the Desert project by increasing the availability of fish varieties in Kakuma refugee camp
At our facilities VTC is only able to raise catfish and tilapia fish due to the particular conditions of fish farming in the camp. Even with these two species of fish, we face various challenges, such as the time it takes for the fish to mature. Given the success of our project, demand for fish in Kakuma has increased and far exceeds the rate at which we can supply the community with fish from our fish farm. Through our market research and needs assessments we realised that people want more that we can offer. We also found that people in Kakuma are interested in various types of fish that can not be easily farmed, such as Nile perch and other various small fish from the Lake Turkana. Access to the Lake Turkana is also difficult for refugees due to restrictions they face on travel outside of Kakuma and the cost of transport.
VTC collaborates with fisherman and Beach Management Unity (BMU) personnel at Lake Turkana to ensure that their products reach Kakuma refugee camp in good condition. Fish from the lake are stored in BMU facilities until they are ready to be transported in cooler boxes on motorbikes to Kakuma. We encourage fishermen with no cooling systems to dry their fish in order to minimize any losses that could occur due to exposure to heat before they can be eaten. When ready, VTC transports the fish to the camp using refrigerated tricycles to maintain freshness. When the fish reach Kakuma, they are then stored in cooling boxes in the local market. The fish traders can then proceed to sell the fish to the local refugee community.
So far over 4000 refugees have benefited from Samaki-Rise, with refugees in Kakuma now having access to different varieties of fish from the Lake Turkana. This solution has been particularly beneficial to women who are in the business of selling fish in Kakuma. They can visit us at anytime when they want to, so they can easily restock their fish supplies for their businesses. In addition, Samaki-Rise has helped to improve cooperation and relations between refugees in Kakuma and local Kenyan traders. It has improved a better cooperation between traders and the group.
