The advent of schooling, the cash economy, and new political systems have brought about many situations providing challenges to the Samburu and the Turkana nomadic pastoralists in northern Kenya. This report details the experiences of the staff of the El-barta project in working with communities within a situation of isolation, harsh climatic conditions, and few economic resources. Chapter 1 of the paper introduces the organization and describes the scope of their work in enabling groups and individuals to take responsibility for building the capacity of their communities in order to enhance young children's development. El-barta works closely with community organizations through its six departments--health, education, food security, communications, finance, and administration--and links its interventions to the communities through three main community groups: focus groups, function committees, and opinion leaders. Chapters 2 through 5 examine different aspects of the El-barta project, showing how they are tied together in an integrated program: (1) early childhood development program, building on positive traditional child-rearing practices and facilitating the development of community day care centers; (2) health interventions, including medical care, maternal-child health, nutrition, personal hygiene, and safe home environment; (3) food security interventions, including drought preparedness, improved food practices, and income generating activities; and (4) further education interventions, including out-of-school programming and adult literacy training. Chapter 6 details some of the obstacles to program implementation and identifies potential goals for further enhancing early childhood development. The report concludes by asserting that it is critical to have an integrated program when working in a harsh environment and imperative to keep as many good traditional practices as possible for a society in transition from traditional to modern ways of life. (KB)