For Decades Taita Taveta locals have hopelessly been living under the cloud of poverty and unforgiving climate that has never appreciated their agricultural efforts . 

Being one of the counties playing a big role in boosting the economy of the country , her diverse availability of precious colored stones and industrial minerals has caught the attention of  both local and international Investors who for many years  have taken interest in making profit from the county.

The region is much endowed with availability of gemstones and industrial minerals including but not limited to ruby, sapphire, emerald, garnets, tsavorites, manganese, iron ore, marble, and limestone but due to technical capacity challenges the local community cannot exploit the resources to enhance their livelihood .

The area local leaders and political class have tried to apply different methodology to address the situation by advocating for artisanal miners and mobilizing community cooperative groups but the efforts have borne no fruit so far . 

The Circumstances surrounding the situation have drawn the attention of Higher learning institutions including Taita Taveta University and Taita Taveta National Polytechnic .  

Taita Taveta National Polytechnic  is one of the 23 National Polytechnics across the County ,the Voi based National Polytechnic boasts being the only Learning Institution Offering Gemology as a course . 

According to TTNP , despite limited knowledge about the gemology , youth and the general public showed interest in pursuing the course . 

The National Polytechnic signed an MOU with relevant stakeholders including Taita Taveta University, Voi Gemstone Value Addition Centre and Taita Taveta County Government.

With the support of Young Africa Works and funding from the Master Card Foundation through CICAN ( Colleges and Institute in Canada ) , the Melanite Development Agency ( Meda)  conducted a labor market Survey and established that the most appropriate course in Taita Taveta County is Gemology .  

It was noted later that it is also relevant to other parts of the country including Mwingi , Mbeere , baringo , Turkana , Migori , Kakamega and Siaya therefore proving the course is of great significance in the country .  

Through the support of MasterCard Foundation TTNP is also establishing the Applied Research Centre which would be a gateway through which all stakeholders will interface with Taita Taveta National Polytechnic. 

“Gemstones that are obtained , will be brought to the Applied Research Centre for testing analysis and any further research might necessarily be required . It is Very interestingly important to note that through Young African Works program , TTNP now has state of the art equipment for Value Addition , Jewelry making , Casting, lapidary and so we will be able to do value addition here in Taita Taveta National Polytechnic and get to sell the final product , then channel back the returns to the community ” Benard Onyuka : Project Lead – Young Africa Works 

“The Gemology Students will be the personnel during value addition processes. Thus according to us, these workshops are deemed to be Factory and students will be dualized at 90% industry training. Processed End Products will be displayed at the Applied Research Centre for onward marketing ” Stephen Ngome Assured

The critical objectives of the Centre include:

• Determining appropriate technology that would support artisanal miners in the gemstone sector
• Provision of value addition process chain through TTNP Gemology Workshop
• Marketing of the gem products to both local and international market through a Cooperative Society.

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