‘Bringing people together for progress’
A vibrant resource centre supporting empowered rural and urban communities, utilizing appropriate technologies in harnessing existing natural and virtual resources while enjoying a stable local economy.
Build a platform for information exchange for the local community capacity building in order to bridge the information and technology gap and foster development partnerships between local community, Governmental, Non – Governmental agencies and the Private sector ,including the wider Donor community,
To provide an affordable meeting venue for social – economic development support targeting local community initiatives.
The Mwana Resource Centre set up demonstrates an inherent environmental awareness propelled by individual sense of responsibility, awareness and commitment to conservation of Mother Nature. The inspiration is drawn from the vast experience of the centre founders Mr Emmanuel Pendo and his wife Lydiah who overtime have supported and worked in a myriad of community based environmental conservation initiatives in the Kenyan coast.. (My life in conservation)
Today they have adopted a 3 pillars of environmental themes that they have found to work through lesson learnt in working with the local coastal communities. These include;
Today, the centre is constructed in a site where 90% of the housing development in the area has seen most of the indigenous trees cut down to pave way for construction. However, the centre is a standalone spectacular spot where the building architect has deliberately respected Mother Nature preserving the dense canopy Neem trees and Doum palm trees that once filled the Darad estate landscape where the centre is located – (thus, Individual sense of responsibility. awareness and commitment to conserve Mother Nature)
The conservation effort of existing natural aesthetics depicted by the dense Neem Trees and Doum palm canopies has paid off as clients patronize the centre for its natural ambience that makes the cool natural ventilated conference hall/bandas and open dinning gardens a must to be meeting venue. – (thus, Conservation through enterprise)
As part of social responsibility the centre today plays host to different Art groups who use the meeting halls for theatre practice and film shooting at no fee. Among the theatre groups include the Kiutuuzima theatre – film groups who produce peace building plays, anti –drug use campaign and HIV/AIDs awareness plays .(Video clip for the group- Tamaa ya Maisha )
Farmer from the rural areas visiting the Ukunda for market deals get subsidized overnight stay at the centre hostels and also included are youth groups, women groups and research students and faith based inspired prayer groups
The centre offers free technical support in proposal writing and business plans development to interested local community groups and individuals
Due high unemployment in the Diani area which has no industry apart from reliance on tourism, the centre has build a data base of local construction workers skilled in different construction works and links the same to individual home builders and contractors looking for labour force at no cost. The data base (includes Names. Phone contact and skill areas) is build from the local job seekers who pass by the centre looking for jobs
5. Latest News
Mining Industry is an emerging industrial sector that has come to the rescue of the ailing tourism industry in Diani as today hundreds of workers have found employment in the sector. The Base Titanium Mining company)).
The name Ukunda is drawn from the once gigantic forest (over 300ha) conserved by the local Miji Kenda community as a sacred forest known as Kaya LUKUNDA. Today less that 5ha of this forest remain due to wide spread human encroachment and absences of a strategic conservation plan by the local government players.
Ukunda town located about 27km from Mombasa Island in the south coast tourism hub area of Diani beach and is a home to an ever growing family of SMEs that is characterized by die – hard entrepreneurs out to make a living. Many retirees from Europe have also found a peace haven in Diani and are a part of an ever increasing foreign resident population that are today an authentic part of the Diani community fabric. The tourism sector is the mainstay of the local economy here with most of the residents supported through this sector either directly or indirectly.
Beach tourism today faces a serious challenge due to insecurity situation, but in reality has remained resilient with inherent ability to survive the storms as more than 75% of its foreign tourists clientele are return visitors who regard Diani as their second home.
The domestic tourism sector is on a steady rise with Nairobians leading the race in inbound tourism growth. This clientele finds itself hosted in local affordable guest houses, hostels, cottages to individual homes as the host families live their homes for the upcountry guests flocking Diani in numbers and on short notices – a local phenomenon characteristic of last minute rush culture of the Kenyans.
Over reliance on tourism in this town results from lack of development of the manufacturing industry and export processing zones in the area as leaders continue to get their priorities wrong over the years. However the new county and the emerging mining industry (The Base Titanium Mining company) provide a new lease of live tor the Diani community.
If you skip Ukunda – Diani Beach in your visit to Kenya coast then count you are yet to visit the coast. The beach taking almost ferry crossing experience
Mwana Resource Centre was established in 2006 in Kwale County, Dzombo location Mwananyamala village. The centre was used as a venue offering a platform for information exchange for both the rural folk as the main clientele
Mwana Resource Centre Hostels in Ukunda, Kwale County, offer comfortable accommodations for travelers. Located in a serene environment, the hostels provide a peaceful retreat with modern amenities. Whether for business or leisure, guests can enjoy a convenient stay with access to nearby attractions and beaches. The hostels are designed to cater to various needs, ensuring a pleasant and memorable experience for visitors.
Ukunda, Kwale County, Kenya
Email: info@mwanaresourcecentre.co.ke
Phone: +254 (0) 723 331 694
