Empowering orphans in Kenya through comprehensive education
Location
Our idea is to implement a pilot model of comprehensive care for orphans at the Mama Ngina Children's Home in Nairobi, Kenya that fuses sustainability tools such as solar with a holistic set of programs that nurture, educate and prepare each individual for an independent, productive and meaningful life. We are currently in the process of organizing an online architectural design competition that will be launched globally to solicit creative, resourceful and relevant designs for a new vocational center on the Mama Ngina compound. The center will not only be a safe learning environment for all children under the Home's direct care and in the outreach program, but it will be a place for community engagement through a mentoring program and community led vocational training programs. Additionally, the physical space will contribute to the sustainability of the orphanage by eliminating electricity costs through the use of solar, enabling the growth of a community garden through a rainwater catchment system, and increasing the capacity of each child to learn by providing a safe, well lit, spacious place to gather and study. Not only will the use of renewables enable the orphanage to set an example in Nairobi as an entity that is bypassing the industrial age in order to harness the power of renewables, but it will serve as a constant and valuable hands on educational tool for the children and staff. Children will be exposed to, and engaged in, the build of the center so they understand the valuable of employing natural resources in a positive and environmentally conscienscious manner. They will also gain valuable employable skills with the integration of a curriculum that contains components of solar installation, gardening, nutrition, composting, etc. A community engagement program is in the works to engage local community leaders as mentors and specialized vocational trainers. This civic engagement will not only serve to debunk stigma against orphans, but it will create a more fused community, increase community awareness about a very local issue, empower leaders to do skill based volunteering, and help the local community groom a new crop of leaders. An internship feeder program is planned to provide entry level opportunities for children graduating from the vocational center's program. The vocational program will complement and help fuel the growth of the existing direct care, outreach, health education, academic and job training programs currently run by Mama Ngina. This holistic approach to the care and empowerment of orphans will be replicated throughout communities in East Africa once the model at Mama Ngina has been proven to be sustainable through the use of community engagement and renewables.
About You
Location
Project Street Address
Project City
Nairobi
Project Province/State
Project Postal/Zip Code
Project Country
Kenya
Your idea
Country your work focuses on:
Kenya
Website URL
What stage is your project in?
Operating for 1-5 years
YouTube Upload
What is the average monthly household income in your target community, in US Dollars?
<$10
Name Your Project
Empowering orphans in Kenya through comprehensive education
Describe Your Idea
Our idea is to implement a pilot model of comprehensive care for orphans at the Mama Ngina Children's Home in Nairobi, Kenya that fuses sustainability tools such as solar with a holistic set of programs that nurture, educate and prepare each individual for an independent, productive and meaningful life. We are currently in the process of organizing an online architectural design competition that will be launched globally to solicit creative, resourceful and relevant designs for a new vocational center on the Mama Ngina compound. The center will not only be a safe learning environment for all children under the Home's direct care and in the outreach program, but it will be a place for community engagement through a mentoring program and community led vocational training programs. Additionally, the physical space will contribute to the sustainability of the orphanage by eliminating electricity costs through the use of solar, enabling the growth of a community garden through a rainwater catchment system, and increasing the capacity of each child to learn by providing a safe, well lit, spacious place to gather and study. Not only will the use of renewables enable the orphanage to set an example in Nairobi as an entity that is bypassing the industrial age in order to harness the power of renewables, but it will serve as a constant and valuable hands on educational tool for the children and staff. Children will be exposed to, and engaged in, the build of the center so they understand the valuable of employing natural resources in a positive and environmentally conscienscious manner. They will also gain valuable employable skills with the integration of a curriculum that contains components of solar installation, gardening, nutrition, composting, etc. A community engagement program is in the works to engage local community leaders as mentors and specialized vocational trainers. This civic engagement will not only serve to debunk stigma against orphans, but it will create a more fused community, increase community awareness about a very local issue, empower leaders to do skill based volunteering, and help the local community groom a new crop of leaders. An internship feeder program is planned to provide entry level opportunities for children graduating from the vocational center's program. The vocational program will complement and help fuel the growth of the existing direct care, outreach, health education, academic and job training programs currently run by Mama Ngina. This holistic approach to the care and empowerment of orphans will be replicated throughout communities in East Africa once the model at Mama Ngina has been proven to be sustainable through the use of community engagement and renewables.
Innovation
Describe your idea in fewer than 50 words.
This project will fuse a robust vocational training program with existing academic curricula, while introducing sustainability education through practical, experiential learning. Strong emphasis will be placed on securing community leaders as mentors and visiting speakers in an effort to debunk stereotypes about orphans and ensure the program’s sustainability through community support.
What makes your idea unique?
This idea is unique because it centers around a physical structure that will inspire, include and educate through its design and composition; that will ease the burden of care through enhanced vocational and educational programs; that will extend beyond direct, reactive care to engage the global and local community in the design, build and ongoing support of an education system that will have a far-reaching impact; and that is highly replicable in communities throughout the developing world. The center will host a variety of vocational training courses and workshops, frequently staffed by community leaders providing valuable skill based volunteer support. The curriculum will be focused on employable skills that are relevant to the local economy. A mentoring program will be established with local leaders and Baraka Africa will work to establish an internship program to help place older youth. These programs would enable a smooth transition to the workforce so youth do not age out of the system without having had academic, vocational and hands on experience. Recycled and repurposed materials will be used to build the vocational center, which will serve as an educational tool to demonstrate the value of creative building techniques, recycling, conservation and resourcefulness.
What is your area of work? (Please check as many as apply.)
Children & Youth , At risk youth , Boys' development , Early childhood development , Education , Girls' development , Mentorship , Youth development , Youth leadership , Community development , Economic development , Mentorship , Poverty alleviation , Sustainable development , Environment & Sustainability , Renewable energy , Health education , HIV/AIDS , Mental health , Vulnerable populations , Citizen participation , Intergenerational relations , Mentoring , Social work , Volunteerism , Youth leadership.
What impact have you had?
At present, over 70 children are receiving direct care in the Mama Ngina home as well as approximately 100 who are engaged in the outreach program. These children are receiving food, shelter, academic training, limited vocational training, health care and education, HIV/AIDS education and treatment, psychological care. Local community impact has been made through education efforts aimed at preventing child abandonment, fostering programs and adult HIV/AIDS education. Community engagement has also been accomplished through partnerships that inspire and involve people globally in the growth and success of these programs. We have also successfully completed the build of a school on the premises that is now drawing revenue through a lease.
Describe the primary problem(s) that your project is addressing.
The primary problem is lack of capacity among direct care providers of orphaned and abandoned children throughout the developing world. There is a constant "demand" for services and there is a shortage of resources. Much of the focus of staff tends to rest on immediate care, the provision of food and medical attention, and the maintenance of order. By developing physical and programmatic sustainability initiatives among these organizations, we facilitate a shift from reactive emergency care to care that can focus on the growth and holistic development of each unique child while simultaneously enabling the entity to ensure the longevity of their programs.
Describe the steps that your organization is taking to make your project successful.
We are highly focused on collaboration through partnerships with local and international NGOs, corporate foundations, government agencies and key community leaders. These partnerships are essential to the ongoing sustainability of these programs because they unite complementary initiatives to help build a network of services and a stronger local and global community. Sustainability hinges on a cycle of preventative education (to address the inflow of orphans), the development of each child's whole person, the compassion and investment of the global community to the success of these individuals, and the commitment of the local community to embrace these children through meaningful career opportunities and mentoring relationships. We are working closely with engineers and renewable energy specialists to draft a reasonable sustainability design that is local innovative and realistic. We maintain strong communication with the staff of Mama Ngina to ensure all efforts and actions are consistent with the needs of the children and the realities of the community. We place a strong priority on the education of children, staff and community members as all are essential to the success of the children currently in the system as well as to the prevention of continuous growth in this marginalized population.
Impact
What will it take for your project to be successful over the next three years? Success in Year 1:
We will need to accomplish the following:
# Redesign website to drive membership and donor traffic (nearing completion)
# Technology implementation to manage and fuel growth (nearing completion)
# Build vocational center with the help of our partners (on track)
# Secure funding for Executive Director to spend extended time in Kenya as an additional local liaison with oversight into sponsored programs, needs and goals
Success in Year 2:
# Partner with microfinance organization to provide micro loans and empower the local community (conversations in progress to build these relationships and define this type of partnership)
# Formalize partnership with a scholarship provider to increase educational opportunities for all orphans
# Partner with orphanages in stable communities to replicate model
Success in Year 3:
# Finalize oversight of Mama Ngina's programs to ensure their sustainability by enacting the exit strategy.
# Extend focus and model to address needs of war torn and displaced communities with high orphan populations to reinvigorate culture, invest in local youth and instill hope for change and progress
Do you have a business plan or strategic plan? (yes/no)
Yes
What are the three most important actions needed to grow your initiative or organization? STEP 1:
Sustainability - Maintaining the focus of our organization as an enabler of change in the type of care provided by orphanages. Work with each entity to increase their scope of care in a sustainable and measurable way that heavily engages the local community. Maintain our focus on education, direct care, psychological care, outreach, community awareness, vocational training and international engagement through creative projects such as the design competition.
What are the three most important actions needed to grow your initiative or organization? STEP 2:
Focus and communication of impact - Our success and that of each orphanage hinges on the ability to measure and communicate social impact to our partners, donors, local and global communities, etc. The continuous focus on quantifying the number of children served, the decreasing # of orphans, the number of orphans completing secondary school, and the depth of programmatic successes (such as number of children placed in wood carving internships or sewing positions) will drive continued interest, involvement and support of these initiatives.
What are the three most important actions needed to grow your initiative or organization? STEP 3:
Successful partnerships - We can not accomplish this alone. Local community support and engagement is essential to addressing and eradicating the root causes of the problems we are targeting, taking action to demonstrate that the education and care of orphans is a priority, as well as embracing the children who are currently in the system as promising future leaders. Individual, corporate, NGO and government partnerships are also key in creating a network of service providers that can collaborate to address the whole needs of this population. Communication between all collaborating constituents will ensure a higher quality of service, a higher number of clients who receive care, and a higher number of clients who emerge from their experiences in orphanages as nurtured, healthy, educated contributors and social change agents.
Describe the expected results of these actions.
Immediate tangible measurements would include the following: an immediate increase in the percentage of children finishing primary school and secondary school, an increase in the number of youth emerging from the care of orphanages with an immediate entrepreneurial or continuing education opportunity, and a decrease in staff time spent on administration.
What was the defining moment that led you to this innovation?
I lived in Kenya and volunteered in an orphanage in Mombasa. The orphanage was only able to care for 4o children at a time and had about 4 full time staff and a few volunteers. The children lacked basic needs. Infants were not held enough. Children were not read to frequently. Countless street children roam the street, lacking a safety net of services and turning to a life of prostitution or begging in an effort to survive. The approach is unique and aggressive but the innovation largely lies in turning proven techniques and educational tools toward a population that is seen as wholly reactive and dependent. Innovation here lies in the ability to transform care and dissolve stigma through empowerment, education, and community wide leadership development. The moment though, was the moment I watched a 5 year old sniff glue while holding an abandoned infant.. knowing that he had no clear options and that the community was failing in providing effective services to eradicate such a devastating social issue.
Tell us about the social innovator behind this idea.
Lindsey Kneuven works with nonprofits all around the world through her work as the Grants Manager of the salesforce.com Foundation. She works especially closely with the Foundation's annual grantees and pairs them with a group of skill based volunteer employees in an effort to provide robust and targeted assistance beyond the grant. She is taking those principles and tactics and applying them to the work of orphanages, which typically lack the capacity to innovate. By helping to establish an innovative, community empowered and sustainably infrastructure for these entities, she hopes to enable an increased capacity for care, a heightened quality of care and the empowerment of all children through education and opportunity.
How did you first hear about Changemakers?
As Grants Manager for the Salesforce.com Foundation during the day, I have met with Charlie Brown of Changemakers to discuss grantmaking strategies, grant management techniques and how to best engage nonprofits in an informative application process.
This Entry is about (Issues)
Sustainability
What would prevent your project from being a success?
* Lack of sufficient local or government support and reinforcement of the importance of these programs.
* Lack of funding resulting in stalled projects. Full time employee needed to fully scale replication and long term success.
Financing source
Yes
If yes, provide organization name.
Baraka Africa - We are an established nonprofit.
How long has this organization been operating? (i.e. less than a year; 1-5 years; more than 5 years)
Almost 2 years
Does your organization have a Board of Directors or an Advisory Board?
Yes - a Board of Directors
Does your organization have any non-monetary partnerships with NGOs? (yes/no)
Yes.
Does your organization have any non-monetary partnerships with businesses? (yes/no)
Yes.
The Story
Does your organization have any non-monetary partnerships with government? (yes/no)
No.
Please tell us more about how these partnerships are critical to the success of your innovation.
n/a
How many people will your project serve annually?
100 - 1000
What is the total number of employees and total number of volunteers at your organization?
0 full time employees, 10 committed volunteers, a community of supporters
What is your organization's business classification?
Non-profit/NGO/citizen sector organization
Have you received funding from any of the following groups? (Please check as many as apply.)
None of the above.
 | LindseyK said: Hi Phuong,Thank you for your comments. At present, vocational training is provided in the following trades - computer skills ... about this Competition Entry. - 918 days ago read more > |
| nntran said: Hi Lindsey:Baraka Africa is a great organization and sounds like you're doing great work. It's important to empower the community ... about this Competition Entry. - 920 days ago read more > |
| LindseyK said: Hi Catie,You are exactly right. Baraka Africa's model, and this project proposal specifically, focuses on sustainability and the power ... about this Competition Entry. - 927 days ago read more > |
| caliqueen said: This sounds like a great project that, if successful, can be applied universally to all orphanages around the world. I ... about this Competition Entry. - 927 days ago read more > |
| caliqueen said: This sounds like a great project that, if successful, can be applied universally to all orphanages around the world. I ... about this Competition Entry. - 927 days ago read more > |
| cablasich said: What a wonderful idea to skip over industrialization and jump right into using sustainable materials and practices, that also serves as ... about this Competition Entry. - 927 days ago read more > |
| LindseyK said: Hi Bryan, Thanks for your insightful feedback. That's exactly what we're working to accomplish - opportunities that simultaneously ... about this Competition Entry. - 928 days ago read more > |
| bbreckenridge said: This is very exciting, Lindsey. I like the idea of including the current and future youth residents in this ... about this Competition Entry. - 928 days ago read more > |
| LindseyK said: Hi Matt,That's a good point. Our URL is provided in the project description but, you're right. The questions in this ... about this Competition Entry. - 928 days ago read more > |
| The Rebuilding ... said: Hello,I think you have some great ideas to support Mama Ngina and the orphans in Kenya that they serve. To make this a stronger ... about this Competition Entry. - 928 days ago read more > |
Comments
Hello,
I think you have some great ideas to support Mama Ngina and the orphans in Kenya that they serve. To make this a stronger article though, I would start off by identifying your organization and perhaps your mission statement as well before talking about the details of your project.
Just a suggestion, hope this helps.
Matt (from the Job Forum and Rebuilding Alliance)
Hi Matt,
That's a good point. Our URL is provided in the project description but, you're right. The questions in this application are almost entirely directed at the idea. Since there's a word limit, I skipped the organization description and focused on the questions they posed... but I'll go back and see if I can add some contextual information.
Here's a brief description of our work:
We are committed to the development and implementation of a comprehensive care model for orphaned and abandoned children throughout East Africa. We aim to strengthen each child and the organizations serving them through programs that are locally relevant and sustainably executed.
http://barakaafrica.org/mission.html
Thanks,
Lindsey
This is very exciting, Lindsey. I like the idea of including the current and future youth residents in this "pilot" project which involves the manifestation of a sustaining physical structure. Having the build happen without youth involvement would be a big miss. It will be a unique collaboration for all parties, but very exciting. I especially like how this idea offers youth a project and a set of skills and community involvement that positions them for on-going roles in the community. Because a child is separated from his parents does not mean he or she should be separated from his or her community. :)!
Hi Bryan,
Thanks for your insightful feedback. That's exactly what we're working to accomplish - opportunities that simultaneously empower the youth, contribute to the sustainable infrastructure of the orphanage and engage the local community in the growth, development and integration of this marginalized group.
Thanks for your support.
Lindsey
What a wonderful idea to skip over industrialization and jump right into using sustainable materials and practices, that also serves as training for the entire community where the orphange resides. This really sounds like a workable model that would serve not only the Mama Ngina orphanage, but future projects...and serve as an excellent example that we don't have to destroy our environment to "get ahead".
Congratulations.
Hi Catie,
You are exactly right. Baraka Africa's model, and this project proposal specifically, focuses on sustainability and the power of replication! I'm so happy to hear it came across clearly in the project proposal.
Thanks for your comments and support!
Lindsey
This sounds like a great project that, if successful, can be applied universally to all orphanages around the world. I applaud the idea or moving from more "immediate and reactive" care to more long-term, "sustainable" services and addressing these continuing issues. I would like to learn more about how the center will host a variety of vocational training courses and workshops, frequently staffed by community leaders providing valuable skill based volunteer support. What type of vocational training courses and in what field of occupation? I would love to see technology as a resource and education using computers, software and internet thrown in there somewhere, but not sure how feasible or cost effective that would be.
Solar energy, renewable energies, and recycled materials as a way of life and as incorporated into the building itself is a great environment for the kids to grow up in.
Phuong Trieu
Hi Phuong,
Thank you for your comments. At present, vocational training is provided in the following trades - computer skills (the Home received donations of computers from the Kenol/Kobil petrolium company and all the children who have attained school-going age are trained computer skills within the insitution), tailoring and dress making, carpentry, masonry, mechanics and electronics, household skills, as well as hair dressing and beauty. Technology is certainly an emphasis and am important component of youth development but equipment must be combined with training and ongoing maintenance in order to be a benefit to the organization. As we emphasize and introduce technology, I believe it should focus on on-demand applications rather than software.
As for community leaders, we are working to establish local partnerships with visionary corporations and individuals to have a formal mentoring program. We plan to establish a schedule for visiting speakers and workshops so that there are experts and specialized skill based volunteers working with the kids. Not only will this improve the quality of the vocational training offered, it will engage the local community in a meaningful way.
Thanks,
Lindsey
This sounds like a great project that, if successful, can be applied universally to all orphanages around the world. I applaud the idea or moving from more "immediate and reactive" care to more long-term, "sustainable" services and addressing these continuing issues. I would like to learn more about how the center will host a variety of vocational training courses and workshops, frequently staffed by community leaders providing valuable skill based volunteer support. What type of vocational training courses and in what field of occupation? I would love to see technology as a resource and education using computers, software and internet thrown in there somewhere, but not sure how feasible or cost effective that would be.
Solar energy, renewable energies, and recycled materials as a way of life and as incorporated into the building itself is a great environment for the kids to grow up in.
Phuong Trieu
Hi Lindsey! Great work with Mama Ngina and the posting. You guys have a great vision for the Orphanage, and have clearly done a lot of thinking around useful, unique and sustainable ideas that will make this a success.
One suggestion that may be useful in this Changemaker Grant Contest. With social change projects, I am always excited to understand the existing background, current situation, and real need behind the project. Will the judges have any understanding of this background or need? If so, you can disregard this. But if not, this may be helpful. For example, I'd love to know more about the current situation of Kenyan orphans? How dire is it? (Immediacy of need always helps with grants). What are some of the reasons behind the dire need? Also, why have the existing attempts failed and how is Mama Ngina approaching this differently and setting itself up for longer term success? There is a section called "what makes your idea unique" where these thought may be especially relevant.
Stats and numbers may even be helpful here. For example, I just happened to find some quick stats at this link, though I'm sure you will probably have more.... http://www.springsofhopekenya.org/content/view/25/62/
Hi Lindsey:
Baraka Africa is a great organization and sounds like you're doing great work. It's important to empower the community to provide support and resources for the orphans. Hopefully as they mature into adulthood, they in turn give back to the community and future generations.
I know it's still early stages of your project/idea, but have you been able to see any measurements or indicators of success?
Best,
Nancy