Flourishing and Resilient Communities- August 2024 Edition

August 2024?Newsletter

Dear Friends and Partners,

Greetings from the Kenya Community Development Foundation (KCDF).

We are excited to share with you highlights of our ongoing work in promoting social justice and the sustainable development of our communities.

In this month’s edition, we share with you an update on our latest efforts in supporting the communities that were adversely affected by the floods that hit the country early in the year.

After the award of the finalists from the First Young Environmentalist Innovation Challenge (YEIC) in June this year, we are happy to share an update from one of the awardees who has already kicked off the implementation of their unique ideas towards environmental conservation. We will tell you more about what Fruity-Schools Africa is doing in this regard.

In an effort to build the capacity of our community partners, we conducted a training workshop for 12 partners on diverse areas of organizational development including finance, communication, monitoring, evaluation, and learning.

We have a comprehensive brief on this and the key outcomes from the session. We invite you to read more about our work in the updates below.

We also thank all our partners for your continuous support and cooperation.

I wish you a successful month ahead.

Grace Maingi,

Executive Director, KCDF.

FLOOD RELIEF RESPONSE IN KAJIADO COUNTY-

A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN VICTORIA COMMERCIAL BANK AND KCDF?

KCDF, in collaboration with Victoria Commercial Bank, supported communities in Kajiado County impacted by the severe floods that struck Kenya between December 2023 and March 2024. Partnering with Dupoto, a local community organization, Victoria Commercial Bank donated approximately two tonnes of dry food, and cooking oils to Kooro Secondary School in Kajiado County.

The school currently accommodates ninety-four students?faces a unique challenge due to the pastoral lifestyle of many of the students' families, who migrate during the dry season in search of pasture and water. This seasonal migration often leads to decreased student attendance. Recently, the community has also been severely affected by floods, which have further exacerbated the situation, with the?floods disrupting?livelihoods, destroying crops, and reducing the availability of food, thereby increasing the strain on families already struggling to provide for their children.

In response to these challenges, the food donation is projected to sustain the school's students for approximately two months. The school plans to provide lunch meals to the students in the third term of 2024.

This initiative is crucial not only to enhance student retention amidst the challenges posed by seasonal migration but also to provide significant relief to parents and guardians who are dealing with the compounded effects of both migration and the recent floods. The food aid is, therefore, a timely intervention that addresses both the immediate nutritional needs of the students and the broader challenges faced by the community due to the floods.

During the food distribution, representatives from Dupoto, teachers, and parents engaged in meaningful discussions. These conversations underscored the necessity of empowering both the school and the parents through economic activities to sustain the students' nutritional needs. Although these discussions are in their early stages, there is optimism that the ideas generated will be implemented to ensure the project's long-term sustainability.

The school's administration and the parents expressed profound gratitude to KCDF, Victoria Commercial Bank, and Dupoto for their generous support and commitment to the community's well-being. This initiative not only addresses immediate nutritional needs but also lays the foundation for future community development and sustainability efforts.

FRUITS FOR KIDS!

On July 29th, 2024, Fruity Schools Africa, in partnership with Nature Plan Kenya and supported by KCDF through the Young Environmentalist Innovation Challenge (YEIC), launched a fruit tree planting project at Kirangari Boys High School in Kiambu County. The event, which drew one hundred and thirteen stakeholders from the Kiambu County Teachers Service Commission, marked the distribution of the first batch of fruit trees following Fruity Schools Africa’s victory in the Young Environmentalist Innovation Challenge.

Fruity Schools Africa, a Kiambu County-based NGO, aims to plant and nurture at least ten million fruit trees in community spaces across Kenya. Having already planted over eighty-four thousand trees in five hundred schools by the start of the year, their efforts have significantly promoted environmental stewardship and conservation awareness. The five?million Kenyan Shillings award from KCDF’s first edition of YEIC will further their mission to plant fruit trees in schools and motivate students to take an active role in environmental care.

Mr. James Kimotho, Director of Education in Kabete Sub-County, praised the innovative approach of planting fruit trees, noting that unlike indigenous trees, fruit trees offer additional value through their produce. He emphasized the multifaceted benefits of the project, including environmental enhancement, rain attraction, and health improvements through better nutrition.

Kennedy Odoyo, Team lead at Fruity Schools Africa inspired Kirangari Boys High School students to take responsibility for their environment by planting and caring for fruit trees. He suggested that students name the trees they plant to foster a sense of ownership and ensure diligent care.

A total of 119 fruit trees were planted at Kirangari Boys High School. Concurrently, Fruity Schools Africa distributed an additional 50 tree seedlings to be planted in 10 other schools across Kiambu County. To ensure a 100% survival rate, Fruity Schools Africa has partnered with Nature Plan Kenya to care for the seedlings and train students on proper tree care.

The YEIC initiative not only enhances the aesthetic beauty of school environments but also contributes to environmental sustainability and the health and well-being of students.

CAPACITY BUILDING FOR 12 KCDF PARTNERS

On 5th and 6th of August 2024, KCDF held a partnership orientation for 12 partners who are implementing COMIC Relief, Fund Builders Matching Grant, and Young Environmentalist Innovation Challenge projects. The meeting aimed at orienting the partners in various capacities including Monitoring and Evaluation, Impact Communication, Financial reporting, and Organizational Safeguarding.

Additionally, it was a platform for partnership development for the organizations that KCDF works with, as a strategic approach to maintaining relationships with its partners, enhancing knowledge sharing, and promoting partnership strengthening.

The partners went through training on the importance of data-keeping and the need to leverage data to make strategic decisions.

The participants were also taken through the importance of impact communication. highlighting the significance of utilizing social media platforms consistently, creating content relatable to their audiences and ethical procedures to be followed when sharing content online.

The key takeaways from the session included:

• Monitoring, evaluation and learning helps organizations measure progress toward their goals and objectives.
• By quantifying results, organizations can effectively communicate their impact to stakeholders.
• Data-driven insights can inform decisions about resource allocation for maximum impact.
• Transparent reporting on progress and outcomes fosters trust with stakeholders.
• Impact reporting is the compass that guides an organization toward its goals, ensuring that resources are used effectively and that the desired impact is achieved.
• Proper and timely reporting of financial expenditures after receiving grants is very imperative. This can be done effectively by recordkeeping of receipts, clear communication with donors and budget preparation to enhance accountability and transparency.
• A strong safeguarding policy helps protect an organization's reputation.
• A well-defined policy enables early identification of potential abuse or neglect therefore enhancing early interventions.
• Incidents of abuse can lead to significant financial costs, which can be mitigated through effective safeguarding. The policy outlines staff responsibilities and expectations.

CHAMPIONING QUALITY EDUCATION AT THE INAUGURAL EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY REGIONAL CONFERENCE

KCDF was honored to be part of the inaugural East African Community Regional Education Conference, hosted by the Regional Education Learning Initiative (RELI), the East African Community (EAC) and the African Union. The conference marked a pivotal moment in celebrating the AU Year of Education, and KCDF contributed to the ongoing dialogue and efforts to enhance education across the region.

By participating in RELI, we leveraged collective expertise to drive impactful educational reforms and initiatives. Our active involvement reflects our dedication to working together with others to achieve lasting improvements in education and ensure that every learner has access to the tools and opportunities needed for a successful future.

KENYA'S FIRST CTGA SOCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY TRAINING?

KCDF took part in Kenya’s first-ever Change the Game Academy (CtGA) Social Accountability training, a transformative five-day workshop held from the 26th to the 30th of August 2024 in Nairobi. This pioneering event, led by expert trainers from CtGA Mobilising Support and Local Fundraising from Kenya and South Africa, provided participants with essential skills and knowledge in social accountability.

The workshop was designed to equip attendees with practical tools for engaging communities in governance and advocating for their rights, particularly concerning budget allocations and governmental transparency.

The training saw the graduation of 15 participants and 2 trainers, marking a significant milestone in their professional development. KCDF remains dedicated to supporting communities in their quest for sustainable development by promoting local fundraising initiatives and reinforcing the importance of community-driven change.

This training reaffirms our commitment to building resilient communities equipped to tackle challenges and drive positive outcomes through informed and accountable governance.

SUPPORTING BOYS TO MEN!?

Highway Secondary School in Nairobi recently celebrated the graduation of 288 students, 16 teachers, and 10 mentors from the MenTenda Mentorship Program through the support of KCDF in partnership with ZEP-RE.

This transformative program, comprising ten sessions, was designed to guide and support boys through their transition into adulthood, focusing on various aspects of responsibility and personal development.

Throughout the program, participants engaged in comprehensive discussions and activities aimed at fostering leadership skills, ethical behavior, and a sense of accountability.

The mentorship provided by the dedicated mentors and teachers played a crucial role in preparing the students for the challenges and opportunities they will encounter as they mature.

The successful completion of the MenTenda Mentorship Program highlights the commitment of KCDF and ZEP-RE to nurturing responsible and well-rounded young men.

This initiative not only equips students with the necessary tools for their future but also highlights the school's dedication to holistic education and personal growth.