In Kenya, Polina Kamula is not just improving her own livelihood, she is transforming her community.

Through ADRA’s aid, facilitated through people like you, Polina was trained as a poultry champion, equipping her with technical skills in improved chicken rearing and small-scale farm management. Since then, she has shared that knowledge widely. She currently supports 35 members across two organized groups and provides ongoing technical guidance to an additional 60 people in the broader community.

Before the project began, most households kept only three to five free-ranging birds, limiting both productivity and income potential. With Polina’s mentorship, families have adopted improved practices, including constructing poultry cages to protect and better manage their flocks. As a result, the number of birds per household has increased significantly, ranging from 11 to as many as 102 birds.

Within Polina’s own group of 25 members, the total number of chickens has grown to 740. This growth represents more than numbers; it means improved nutrition, increased household income, and greater economic resilience for families.

Polina’s leadership extends beyond poultry. She has established two acres of land under Farmer-Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR), restoring productivity to degraded land. To support new plantings, she has constructed 200 zai pits—small planting basins that capture water and improve soil fertility—and built terraces to prevent erosion and conserve moisture. Looking ahead, she plans to plant grasses along the terraces and install beehives to further diversify her farm and expand income opportunities.

Polina’s work demonstrates the power of locally-led development. By equipping one farmer with the right skills and support, entire communities can strengthen food security, restore their environment, and build sustainable pathways out of poverty.

Through leaders like Polina, lasting change is taking root.