This archive report was first published on 17 July 2021.
July 17, 2021, marked a significant milestone for the elderly residents of Nabkoi, Kesses Constituency, as they embarked on a journey to improve their living conditions and contribute to their community's development through a community-based saw milling cooperative.
Olendu cooperative, established in 2017, has been operational despite facing numerous challenges. The cooperative's primary objective is to harness the unique resources and skills of older individuals to provide effective social support, facilitate activities, and deliver services.
With a strong commitment to environmental responsibility, the cooperative sources timber from sustainable forests and adheres to a zero-waste policy. All offcuts are utilized, including sawdust, which is used by local farmers.
Chairman Julius Sirma emphasized the cooperative's dedication to their work, stating, 'We have no salary from the government; it's just we love working and helping our communities.'
The cooperative has made significant strides, including expanding its membership from 54 to 109 and accumulating assets such as a water tank, a machine capable of producing 200 doors daily, and an agrovet to assist farmers.
Olendu cooperative has also demonstrated its commitment to community social responsibility (CSR) by donating over 20,000 seedlings and providing firewood free of charge for ceremonies such as weddings and burials. They have also donated 250 metric tonnes of firewood and established a saw milling business, which has become a vital source of income for the cooperative.
Chairman Sirma expressed the cooperative's hope to acquire a land of their own to improve their operations effectively, stating, 'We always conduct our annual auditing and are filing our returns as responsible citizens; we pay taxes as required.'
The cooperative's success story serves as a testament to the potential of community-based initiatives, demonstrating that even at the age of 60 and above, individuals can toil to improve their lives through hard work and patience.
