#GivingTuesday (Nov 28th): How to Contribute Meaningfully
Erna Grasz
Global Alliance Board Chair, Asante Africa Foundation--Mission Driven Executive | Former CEO | Global Entrepreneur | Past Silicon Valley Executive and National Defense Lab Systems/Electrical Engineer
All donations will be generously matched 1:1, thanks to the Quest Foundation
I am grateful that I was able to attend the royal visit in Kenya, and showcase my business idea. I am also grateful to the people who came to give us motivational talks on how we can succeed in our lives and plan our careers. - Faith, Kenya
Have you ever wanted to help but were unsure how to contribute meaningfully? As #GivingTuesday approaches, let me take you on a life-transforming educational journey. This journey takes a young girl, Faith, and her all-girl group from a small, arid town in rural Turkana County, Kenya, to bright lights and opportunities in Nairobi.
At home in Turkana, pastoralist traditions dictate that these girls should not be in school. Instead, they should be the source of a bride price (dowry), get married, and have children. Turkana County has a child-rich population. 0-14 year olds constitute 46% of the total population. Due to high poverty rates (88%), families prioritize educating sons over daughters.
So, how did Faith and her friends end up on a journey to showcase their leadership and entrepreneurship skills to King Charles III? The girls' journey to Nairobi began when they enrolled in an Asante Africa Foundation Youth Livelihood Program (YLP). All YLP clubs are girl-led, with a female president supported by a male vice president. Boy allies support the girls in leadership positions. Switching these traditional gender roles within the YLP club sparked a revolution.
Given a voice, knowledge, digital tools, and leadership opportunities, the girls' confidence soared. Creativity and innovation blossomed. Faith and her friends focussed on a pressing issue within their community: protein deficiency. The girls came up with the idea of creating a sustainable poultry farm, using local resources, to increase access to eggs and white meat. The Riziki Poultry Farm was born.
We came up with a poultry farming idea because our region has a high malnutrition rate. Most people are suffering from a lack of protein. We came up with poultry farming to provide white meat. The business’s name is Riziki poultry farming. Riziki means income, whereby our business will come to generate income for us and others.
The Riziki Poultry Farm girls made their first trip to Nairobi in 2022. We cheered on the group as they won seed capital through the Prince's Trust International Enterprise Challenge.
The girls made their second trip to Nairobi a few weeks ago. There, they teamed up with other Asante Africa Foundation young innovators. I had the exhilarating experience of joining the students for this momentous journey. Together, we demonstrated to industry leaders, partners, and investors how Asante Africa Foundation's educational programs transform young lives.
The trip's highlight was showcasing our students' innovations to His Royal Majesty, King Charles III. I felt proud standing alongside the remarkable young women from the Riziki Poultry Farm. Their confident presentation and determination to solve malnutrition in their community impressed King Charles.
The girls' journey is a testament to the power of Asante Africa Foundation's programs to propel youth, particularly girls, forward. We transform the lives of young people by walking the educational journey with them.?
This?#GivingTuesday,?we ask?YOU to walk this journey with us and help us deliver transformational educational solutions to reach thousands more young lives!
Plus, on Giving Tuesday, the Quest Foundation will kindly match all donations 1:1. Pamoja (together), we have the power to make real and lasting change.
Erna Grasz is the CEO of Asante Africa Foundation. She can be reached at [email protected].
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#youthempowerment #givingtuesday #education #africa #fundraising #nonprofit #entrepreneurship #gendergap
Strategic Partnership Associate at Asante Africa Foundation
1 年Giving to Asante Africa Foundation means giving an opportunity to a child that wouldn't have it otherwise <3
Community artivist, disabilities inclusion advocate founder at ability innovation hub and Gosoapy group
1 年https://www.gofundme.com/f/kwetu-international-refugee-art-festival?utm_campaign=p_lico+share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=customer
Co Director at Learning Unpacked Applied
1 年As a school administrator, I've witnessed the transformative impact of Asante Africa Foundation's Youth Livelihood Program and other initiatives. I wholeheartedly endorse and urge you to consider contributing to their cause on #givingtuesday. Personally accompanying students as they showcased their entrepreneurial talents to the world was a privilege. Asante Africa empowers young girls, providing them with a voice and choices often taken for granted. Witnessing these young individuals make informed choices, articulate their reasoning, successfully pitch their ideas, and secure seed capital not only cultivates confidence but nurtures future leaders who will not just support, but profoundly impact their communities. Your donation can be a catalyst for positive change and the empowerment of the next generation.
Technical Writer | ex Amazon, Paddy Power, AIB
1 年A beautiful story on the transformative power of education!