The people of the Turkana South region of Kenya have endured a prolonged drought. Hunger and scarcity have intensified, and with them, feelings of hopelessness—especially for people living with disabilities who often face added barriers to earning a livelihood and accessing resources.
Simon Lochor Amojong knows this reality all too well.
Wheelchair-bound Simon, a married father of three, was born and raised in Shanti Village in Turkana South. A self‑taught beader, Simon relied on the sale of necklaces—known locally as shanga—to earn an income to support his family. But the earnings were small, and as the drought worsened, so did his financial situation. Eventually, Simon’s family left in search of food and stability, and he became fully dependent on the kindness of neighbours to survive.
He recalls, “I lived hand-to-mouth as the little I got from my beading was not enough for my very basic needs… my shanga-making business would barely bring me 100 KES ($1.10 CAD) per day.”
Restoring Dignity Through Food Security
With funding from the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, World Renew implemented a food distribution program in Turkana South focused on supporting people living with disabilities, the elderly, orphans, and others most vulnerable to food insecurity. The project arrived at a moment when Simon had lost nearly all hope.
Over a nine‑month period, Simon and other participants received monthly food rations, including 50 kilograms of sifted maize flour, 10 kilograms of beans, three litres of vegetable oil, and 0.5 kilograms of table salt. The food support relieved immediate hunger and created space for possibility.
For Simon, it was life‑changing. There was finally enough food to sustain his household, and he rejoiced when his wife and children were able to return home.
With encouragement and guidance from project staff, Simon began to shift his focus from survival to his own potential. He returned to a half‑acre of irrigated land he had previously left unattended and began growing maize, tomatoes, green grams, cowpeas, and other crops. At the same time, he revived his shanga business.
Today, income from farming and bead sales allows Simon to support his family once again, pay school fees, purchase uniforms, and cover basic household needs.
“This project brought hope to my life,” Simon says.
Contributing to a Shared Global Vision
Stories like Simon’s reflect the broader efforts of international development initiatives around the world. Many of these efforts align with the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—a shared framework adopted by countries globally to address the world’s most pressing challenges by 2030, including poverty, hunger, inequality, and environmental degradation.
The SDGs are people‑centred and grounded in human rights, with a clear commitment to ensuring no one is left behind. Together, they envision a world where everyone has access to food, education, health care, sustainable livelihoods, and the opportunity to live with dignity and hope.
Through the support of partners and donors around the world, World Renew continues to walk alongside communities like those in Turkana South—helping people rebuild resilience, restore livelihoods, and move toward a more hopeful future.
