Flourishing and Resilient Communities- June 2024
Kenya Community Development Foundation
KCDF supports communities in Kenya to initiate and drive their own development priorities. #ShiftThePower
Dear Partners,
Greetings from the Kenya Community Development Foundation (KCDF).
We are delighted to share with you?the highlights of our work in June?as we further our vision of flourishing and?resilient communities in Kenya. This month, KCDF?launched the second Young Environmentalist Innovation Challenge (YEIC)?The call for applications is now open for all young Kenyans between 15 to 35 years old, and community organizations?with a passion for environmental conservation.?
This is a great opportunity for our environmental enthusiasts?to turn their innovative ideas into reality. In this edition, we will tell you how you can apply for this challenge so that you don't miss out on the chance to make a positive impact on your community.
Also during the launch, KCDF?awarded?a cumulative of KES 23,950,000 to five finalists of the 2023 edition of YEIC,?to support their innovative ideas towards environmental sustainability and conservation. We have a comprehensive update for you on this as you read on.
Further, in this edition, we highlight?our annual?Fund Builders Retreat which aimed at providing our partner fund builders with practical skills and knowledge for proficient endowment fund management.
We also?share an impact story from our matching-fund model,?Pamoja for Change,?from Bungoma?County, where Yatima Outreach,?a non-governmental organization operating in nine countries, is providing?holistic care and support services for Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) and their communities. In the story, we highlight their?primary focus areas which include education, health, agriculture, food and?nutrition, child protection, water hygiene, sanitation, and psychosocial support.?
Additionally, in this edition, we will share more on our work supporting other CSOs in the country, featuring?two forums that happened in Kakamega and Busia Counties, which primarily focused on building their skills in?financial literacy, fundraising techniques, partnership development,?and institutional effectiveness. ?
Enjoy the read and thank you for being a part of the KCDF community. ?
Happy New Month!
Grace Maingi
Executive Director,
KCDF
KCDF AWARDS 23 MILLION TO YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS TO?BOOST INNOVATION IN ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATIO
On 25th June 2024, KCDF?awarded a cumulative of KES 23,950,000 to five community youth organizations to support their innovative ideas towards environmental sustainability and conservation.?
The winners included Inua DamSite, EcoRich Solutions,?Placom Manufacturers,?Farmer Lifeline Technologies, and Fruity Schools Africa. Under its Young Environmentalist Innovation Challenge (YEIC), KCDF aims at developing action-oriented young individuals and youth-led organizations committed to the conservation of the environment. The finalists of the inaugural challenge, launched in 2023, were awarded in this event which also saw the launch of the second edition.
Speaking during the event, the Chief Guest Mr. Kihara Maina, Regional CEO of I&M Group PLC, commended KCDF for its commitment to supporting youth innovations. He emphasized the government's role as an enabler, suggesting that some investments are challenging for individuals to undertake alone.
Mr. Maina proposed using taxes to support youth-driven innovations, emphasizing that sustainability hinges on profitability, which can then fund transformative innovations. "Our commitment is to lead change through shared value, with a significant allocation towards environmental conservation, education, and skills training, as well as economic empowerment. I applaud the YEIC competition for its eye-opening impact, and I hope the second iteration will scale up in both quality and reach, to engage diverse partners in addressing environmental challenges," he said. ?
Also present at the event was the I&M Foundation Executive Director, Mr. James Gatere.
On her part, the KCDF Executive Director Ms. Grace Maingi emphasized the importance of fostering and advancing innovation within the development sector, alongside efforts to control carbon emissions.
“We aim to empower young people by recognizing their potential through the Young Environmentalist Innovation Challenge. As we launch the second call for applicants, we have extended support eligibility to individuals aged 15 to 35, offering grants of up to five million shillings. Central to our mission is fostering sustainable change for sustainable development. To achieve this, we are committed to placing technology at the forefront. Our theme, "Green and Coded," underscores our focus on innovative waste management solutions and digital transformations poised to drive future progress.” Said Ms. Maingi.
Gordon Odundo, a Board Director at KCDF challenged the youth to take the lead in conserving the environment.?
“The essence of our power lies within us. Whenever I collaborate with young people, I often contemplate how they can protect and patent their ideas. The objective of today's second series is to ignite youths’ creativity, promoting green transformation that enhances resilience and sustainability through technology and digital solutions to tackle contemporary societal challenges. Your ideas, passion, and commitment serve as catalysts for change; you are the leaders of tomorrow.” He said.
The National Environment Trust Fund (NetFund), Green Generation Initiative (GGI), World Wildlife Kenya (WWF-Kenya), and the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) partnered with KCDF as the judges of this initiative.
YEIC is an environmental innovation fund established by KCDF with support from Mackenzie Scott to bolster innovative ideas and solutions that promote environmental conservation, sustainable resource management, and community resilience.
Watch?the full video here.
KCDF HOSTS THE FUND BUILDERS ANNUAL LEARNING AND NETWORKING RETREAT IN NAIROBI
On the 10th and 11th of June 2024, KCDF held the Fund Builders Learning and Networking Retreat in Nairobi, Kenya.
Themed “Endowment Building for Sustainable Development” the event aimed at providing Fund Builders with practical skills and knowledge for proficient endowment fund management. Stakeholders brainstormed on the various ways they can apply in their specific organizations to reinvest their interests and ensure the growth of their current capital to achieve higher returns in the future.
Our mission at KCDF is to empower communities through sustainable development and effective organisational management. We believe in the power of local communities?to drive change from within. That's why we encourage them?to join our endowment fund initiative.
The KCDF Endowment Fund is a unique opportunity for communities?to build financial resilience.?By participating in the Endowment Fund, communities?not only secure their financial future but also gain access to resources and support that enable them to better serve their people. This collaborative approach ensures that local efforts are amplified and sustained over time, fostering a legacy of impactful development.
Key Takeaways from the event:
Through collaborative efforts and strategic planning, fund builders are poised to make lasting impacts on their communities, ensuring a brighter future for all.
KCDF AND GREEN GENERATION INITIATIVE HOST?THE WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY CELEBRATIONS AT NJIRU MIXED SECONDARY SCHOOL
On 5th June 2024, KCDF and Green Generation Initiative (GGI)?held a tree planting event at Njiru Mixed Secondary School to mark World Environment Day. Under the theme, “Generation, Restoration” the occasion was not just about planting trees; it was a celebration of environmental stewardship and community empowerment.
The event was graced with an attendance of 470 students, 15 teachers, and a diverse array of organizations such as the United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya Forest Service Club, Red Cross Kenya, Mama Doing Good, Embassy of Belgium in Nairobi, Chipukeezy Foundation, European Union and the Swedish Embassy in Kenya.
Led by Elizabeth Wathuti, the Executive Director of GGI, the event had clear objectives aimed at nurturing green spaces within Njiru School. Beyond planting 2001 trees, the endeavor sought to transform the school grounds into a lush sanctuary, soon to be known as Njiru Park. Additionally, plans were set in motion to establish a thriving kitchen garden, enriching both nutrition and the school's feeding program with an abundance of fruit trees.
The significance of the event extended far beyond the act of planting trees. It was about instilling a lasting culture of environmental consciousness among the students, framing conservation not as a chore but as a joyful endeavor integral to shaping future generations.
Elizabeth Wathuti captured this sentiment, emphasizing that caring for the environment is not only a responsibility but also a fun activity. As the saplings took root in the fertile soil of Njiru Mixed Secondary School, they symbolized not just a greener landscape but a brighter future, where the seeds of environmental stewardship are sown deep within the hearts of young minds.
Through collaboration, education, and hands-on experience, events like these pave the way for a more sustainable tomorrow, where communities thrive in harmony with nature.
KCDF LAUNCHES THE 2024 MENTENDA?AND INSPIRE-HER MENTORSHIP?SESSIONS
KCDF in partnership with TotalEnergies launched the MENTENDA 2024 Cohort 1 in Jamhuri Boys Secondary School and the Inspire Her Cohort 1 in Ngara Girls High School.
MENTENDA is an English/Kiswahili word calling men to act, a transformative mentorship and role-modeling initiative that targets boys between the ages of 14-25 years to nurture them into confident and responsible men while unlocking their potential to become leaders in their spaces of influence.
Inspire Her on the other hand, is a mentorship program that broadly seeks to mobilize ladies of honor to help girls gain self-awareness to be fully empowered to reach their full potential and achieve their dreams in life.
The event at Jamhuri Boys Secondary School saw the attendance of 330 form two students and 350 form two students at Ngara Girls.
Mentorship for boys and girls is very crucial in providing them with the skills and knowledge that they need to counter obstacles and stereotypes that would hinder them from achieving their goals.
Through these mentorship programs, the mentees are anticipated to tackle diverse societal challenges in girls such as teen pregnancies, school bullying, risky sexual behavior, period poverty, negative attitudes toward education, substance abuse, and weak peer, school, and family relations.
领英推荐
KCDF’s mentorship program complements the work covered by the school’s guidance and counseling department.
YATIMA OUTREACH, PROVIDING A ROAD TO WHOLESOMENESS IN BUNGOMA COUNTY
Yatima Outreach is a non-governmental organization operating in nine countries globally, to provide holistic care and support services for Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) and their communities.
Their primary focus areas comprise education, health, agriculture, food & nutrition, child protection, water, hygiene, sanitation, and psycho-social support. Locals at Mechimeru in Bungoma County often had to cover long distances to access maternal and child health care services.
There being only one government facility in the region serving a plethora of people, coupled with limited medical resources and understaffing, has largely contributed to increased maternal and child mortality in the region. To address this critical issue, Yatima Outreach partnered with ACK Dr. Pike Roper Medical Centre in Mechimeru to establish a maternal and child health care wing (MCH). This aims to enhance access to quality and affordable health care for mothers and children in Mechimeru, Bungoma County.
Resident?Fundraising Actions
Pamoja for Change (P4C), a project innovated by KCDF in partnership with Wilde Ganzen, comprises an upgraded philanthropic strategy that aims at building the communities’ confidence by expecting them to raise half the amount of the project’s grant money, while P4C matches with the remaining half.
Through KCDF’s P4C program, Yatima Outreach raised KES 1,000,000 which was matched with an additional KES 1,000,000 by KCDF to increase access to quality and affordable maternal and child health care services.
Project Implementation
So far, this dream is gradually taking shape because of the progressive milestones achieved within the first and second quarters of project implementation. The Maternal and Child Health Care Wing was officially launched on 29th January 2024. During the second quarter of project implementation, significant milestones were achieved:
Additionally, the center has managed to provide medical services to 816 patients. The clinic has so far conducted 200 laboratory tests, enrolled 18 expectant mothers in focused antenatal care, conducted voluntary HIV tests to 30 clients, and administered immunizations to 118 children as per the Kenya Extended Immunization Program (including malaria, rotavirus, measles, and poliovirus vaccines).
It has also provided family planning counseling to 24 individuals, dewormed 396 children under 14 years, managed medical cases for 114 children under five years and 702 over five years, and offered post-abortion care to three mothers, along with managing cases of gestational hypertension and complicated malaria in pregnancy. ?
Impact Realized
Dorcas, a resident of Sango Village in Mechimeru, experienced a miscarriage at 16 weeks of pregnancy on May 3, 2024. Due to stigma and financial constraints, she initially did not seek medical attention after her second consecutive miscarriage.
Her health deteriorated until May 19, 2024, when a compassionate individual familiar with the services at Dr. Pike Roper Medical Clinic found her semi-conscious. Dorcas was swiftly transported to the clinic where she was diagnosed with sepsis resulting from the miscarriage.
She received intensive inpatient care in the postnatal room, where the dedicated team provided comprehensive post-abortion care and ensured her recovery. After receiving treatment and ongoing support, Dorcas was discharged with oral medications, scheduled weekly follow-ups, and chosen family planning methods to aid in her complete recovery.
Today, she is in good health and deeply appreciative of the care she received. Thanks to the invaluable support and partnership with KCDF, Yatima Outreach has made significant strides at Mechimeru Medical Center.
Together, we envision transforming more lives, empowering communities, and creating a lasting impact on healthcare in Mechimeru.
As we continue to work hand in hand, we look forward to achieving even greater milestones and bringing about positive change for all those we serve.
KCDF PARTICIPATES IN A CAPACITY-BUILDING FORUM FOR CSOs IN KAKAMEGA COUNTY?
On 20th June, KCDF took part in the “Community Resourcing: Strategies for Activation and Sustainability" forum, hosted by the Kenya Philanthropy Forum in partnership with East Africa Philanthropy Network in Kakamega County.
The event aimed to address challenges in local resource mobilization and promote sustainable development across Kenya. The forum focused on building skills among local Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in financial literacy, fundraising techniques, and partnership development.
KCDF was represented by the Executive Director, Grace Maingi, and the Programmes Coordinator- Community Voices & Philanthropy, Hellen Kuria who both took part in a plenary discussion in the forum.
Throughout the event, participants explored partnerships between CSOs, local businesses, and government entities to leverage local economic strengths for community development. Social enterprises and community trusts were urged to embark on innovative funding mechanisms to reduce dependency on external grants.
Emphasis was placed on shifting from viewing community members as beneficiaries to active contributors in resource mobilization and development initiatives. Strategies were formulated to advocate for policies supporting effective resource mobilization and sustainable development at local levels.
The forum underscored the potential of local resources in driving sustainable development, advocating for a shift towards economic self-reliance through community-driven initiatives.
By prioritizing local enterprises and fostering collaborative partnerships, the event laid the groundwork for a more resilient and autonomous civil society sector in Kenya.
KCDF PARTICIPATES IN A PUBLIC BENEFITS ORGANIZATION ACT SENSITIZATION FORUM IN BUSIA?
Following the operationalization of the PBO Act on the 14th of May 2024, the development and non-profit sector has been on buzz concerning the way forward and what this means to the over 13000 non-state actors.
In this light, KCDF in collaboration with Civic Freedom Forum held a sensitization session in Busia for the Community of practice organizations that work with KCDF on 26th June 2024 to highlight the implications of the Act to the non-state actors and their role in the next one year.
Additionally, on 24th and 25th June 2024, KCDF attended a workshop on Organizational Development Systems Strengthening (ODSS) in Busia.
Some of the gaps that had been identified among the community organizations in Busia County included the lack of a strong board to support the team, the lack of efficient financial systems to support the organization's reconciliations, transparency, and effectiveness in program implementation.
For this reason, the workshop aimed to capacity-build community organizations to improve their skills in resource mobilization, effective quality programming, and financial management.
KCDF continues to support its partners to administer institutional effectiveness to focus on organizational improvement primarily focusing on performance and innovation.
CALL FOR APPLICATION OF THE SECOND YOUNG ENVIRONMENTALIST INNOVATION CHALLENGE
Are you an organization or a?young Kenyan with a passion for environmental conservation? Here's your chance to turn your innovative ideas into reality!
About the Challenge:
KCDF?is excited to announce the 2nd public call for applications for the Young Environmentalist Innovation Challenge. Following the success of the 1st Series, where 5 youth-led organizations were awarded a total of 23.9 Million Shillings, this Challenge aims to empower young Kenyans to implement groundbreaking innovations in tree growing, waste management, and agriculture. ?
Goal:
The goal of the Challenge is to enhance Technological Innovation for Sustainable Environmental Conservation among young people. ?
Grant Categories:
Who Can Apply:
Individuals or?community organizations who are?passionate about environmental conservation.
Submit your application by 31st July 2024, 11:59 pm EAT to be considered for this exciting opportunity! ?
Don't miss out on the chance to make a positive impact on your community and environment.
For more details and to apply click?HERE.
For inquiries, write to us via email:?[email protected]?cc?[email protected]