Not making enough impact? My insights on Community Action from my recent visit to Kenya

Last week in my capacity as supervisory board member, I had the opportunity to visit some of the projects supported by the Aids Fonds in Kenya. This experience was deeply personal for me, having a Ugandan father and having lived in Malawi when I was young means I have witnessed the devastating impact of the AIDS epidemic in Africa up close and personal. What struck me most profoundly was the evolution of the response to this global health crisis—from immediate emergency to a more nuanced, community-driven approach.

The AIDS epidemic, like many health crises, presents unique challenges intertwined with human behavior. Initially spreading rapidly, it demanded a shift in societal norms around sexuality and sexual conduct. While medical advancements have transformed HIV from a death sentence to a manageable illness, the epidemic persists, particularly among hard-to-reach communities. Some communities that have been marginalized exactly because of their choice of how and who they choose to love.

Reflecting on my visit and drawing from Malcolm Gladwell's "The Tipping Point," I'm reminded of the pivotal role played by connectors, mavens, and salesmen in driving transformation. In Kenya I saw up close and personal how community outreach initiatives embody these principles, utilizing local networks for service delivery, education, and advocacy.

So can we see more examples of how these grassroots efforts can create a global effect? Let's take a moment to explore similar initiatives from diverse corners of the globe:

Jaipur Rugs Foundation, India

Jaipur Rugs Foundation empowers rural artisans, particularly women, by providing them with access to training, resources, and fair wages to produce handcrafted rugs. This decentralized model not only promotes sustainable livelihoods but also preserves traditional craftsmanship, showcasing the power of grassroots entrepreneurship.

Grameen Bank, Bangladesh

Grameen Bank pioneered microfinance in Bangladesh, offering small loans to impoverished individuals, primarily women, to start their own businesses. By empowering women entrepreneurs and promoting financial inclusion, Grameen Bank has shown that by focussing on improving the lives of a few lifted millions out of poverty, demonstrating the transformative potential of decentralized financial services.

Barefoot College, India

Barefoot College trains rural women, often grandmothers, from across the globe in solar engineering and sustainable technologies. Equipped with practical skills, these women return to their communities as mavens of solar engineering, bringing clean energy and economic opportunities to underserved areas. This bottom-up approach empowers communities to address environmental challenges and drive sustainable development.

The Zabbaleen, Egypt

The Zabbaleen, or "garbage collectors," in Cairo, have developed an innovative system for collecting, sorting, and recycling waste, despite facing social stigma and economic challenges. Their decentralized approach to waste management not only contributes to environmental sustainability but also fosters economic resilience within their communities.

What's striking across these diverse endeavors is the shared reliance on community activation and local networks effectively making them salesmen for the cause.?

From combating HIV to addressing poverty and environmental degradation, the power of collective action cannot be overstated.

As we reflect on these examples, it becomes evident that decentralized initiatives are the drivers of change. By empowering local communities and leveraging existing networks, these initiatives achieve sustainable impact from the bottom up.

Moreover, for the AIDS epidemic, the next step is moving away from the immediate epidemic and scaling up successful initiatives while making sure that we will never see a similar epidemic again because certain groups are being left out of the care system. How can we make this possible, and what would be the most sustainable result? This challenge will be central to the fight against HIV in the coming years.

In the context of our own endeavors, who would we need to involve to make our change scale up? Are we tapping into the power of connectors, mavens, and salesmen to spread our message effectively?

These grassroots initiatives offer valuable lessons for addressing social challenges in Western Europe and beyond. Whether it's the energy crisis, waste management, or other pressing issues, the principles of community-led action and decentralized approaches can guide transformative solutions. By engaging local communities, fostering innovation, and promoting collaboration, we can build a more resilient and sustainable future for all.

To end this very personal and impactful thought I want to thank the people and organizations that have made this trip impactful, look them up, see what they are doing and maybe you can learn something: Allan Maleche human rights activist / lawyer director of KELIN, Brian Macharia Senior Coordinator: Health Justice and Human Rights at Health GAP, Maureen Milanga Director of International Policy and Advocacy at Health GAP (Global Access Project), Florence Riako Anam Co-Executive Director at GNP+, the team at AYARHEP, Tina Lubayo Partnership Officer at UHAI-EASHR, Esmael Omar Director of Partnerships and Communications at UHAI-EASHR, Grace Kamau Regional Coordinator at ASWA Alliance, Patriciah Jeckonia Programmes Manager-Policy and Partnerships at LVCT Health and last but definitely not least John Mathenge Director of Hoymas.

And thank you for joining mayor of Lelystad Mieke Baltus , Director of Aidsfonds Mark Vermeulen , CEO of Stolt Tankers Lucas Vos , Harriet Birungi , Advocacy & Communications Specliast Mmabatho Oke , Director of International Programmes of Aidsfonds Lynn Werlich and fellow supervisory board member Anna Maria ?akowicz .