EYE-C Bahati
Bahati means good luck, or a chance to succeed. The EYE-C Bahati program will expand on existing programs to offer training in hair dressing to street youth, at the same time as improving the sustainability of other education projects by developing the salon as an income generating project.
About You
Location
Project Street Address
Dagoretti
Project City
Nairobi
Project Province/State
Nairobi
Project Postal/Zip Code
00502
Project Country
Kenya
Your idea
Country your work focuses on:
Kenya
Website URL
What stage is your project in?
Operating for less than a year
YouTube Upload
What is the average monthly household income in your target community, in US Dollars?
<$50
Name Your Project
EYE-C Bahati
Describe Your Idea
Bahati means good luck, or a chance to succeed. The EYE-C Bahati program will expand on existing programs to offer training in hair dressing to street youth, at the same time as improving the sustainability of other education projects by developing the salon as an income generating project.
Innovation
Describe your idea in fewer than 50 words.
Bahati means good luck, or a chance to succeed. The EYE-C Bahati program will expand on existing programs to offer training in hair dressing to street youth, at the same time as improving the sustainability of other education projects by developing the salon as an income generating project.
What makes your idea unique?
The EYC-C Bahati program offers a special chance to street and at risk youth in two ways. One, it will empower youth with the skills and opportunity to support themselves through hair dressing. Two, it will improve the sustainability of EYE-C education programs by generating income so that the center can achieve its dream of being self-sufficient.
There are a number of programs that offer youth vocational training, but with a 70 percent unemployment rate in Kenya, such training rarely translates into jobs. The EYE-C Bahati program offers both training and potential employment. Furthermore, it offers youth the opportunity to contribute to the sustainable development of Emmanuel Center.
Furthermore, Emmanuel Center has a good track record in creating opportunities for boys and young men, but many of our programs do not meet the needs of female youth. This program will be specifically targeted at female youth who are often the most disadvantaged and at risk members of struggling communities. Such girls and young women will have the chance to learn a marketable skill and then work in the Bahati salon.
The team at Emmanuel Center is from the communities we work with. Many of us were once street kids, and most of us grew up in the slums. We have been given the opportunity to learn and lead, and we want to offer the same to our brothers and sisters.
What is your area of work? (Please check as many as apply.)
What impact have you had?
Emmanuel Center has helped over 350 former street children and youth get off the streets, quit drugs and either be reintegrated with their families or develop into self-sufficient members of the community. It has helped hundred of families, and provided counseling to countless others.
Our Rescue Center provides a home to up to 40 street children at a time, as well as education, health care, drug rehabilitation, recreation and counseling. EYE-C offers hundreds of street and at risk youth computer training, a library facility, arts and recreation opportunities, and life skills training.
We are an active part of the Nairobi community and continuously campaign for the rights of children, women and other disadvantaged groups.
Describe the primary problem(s) that your project is addressing.
Most street children and at risk youth do have a chance to attend secondary school, which is too expensive for their poor families. With a 70 percent unemployment rate jobs are scarce. Many turn to illegal activities like prostitution and selling drugs out of desperation. For young women this often means they become mothers before they are 16 years old. Their children are born into the same cycle of poverty. This innovation attempts to break this cycle by providing a chance at education and income generation.
Describe the steps that your organization is taking to make your project successful.
When we came up with the vision of EYE-C it was as an empowerment organization. We saw it not only as opportunity to help youth, but a chance for youth to be involved in developing a self-sufficient organization. To that aim we have charged a small membership fee for use of the computer lab and library, and encouraged youth to contribute towards course costs. Similarly, we envision the Bahati Salon as being an avenue for youth to both benefit from and contribute to the center. We have tried to engage the local community, through partnerships, as much as possible, and have built relationships with other organizations in hopes of collaborating for success.
Impact
What will it take for your project to be successful over the next three years? Success in Year 1:
The first step will be setting up the salon, purchasing equipment developing a training program and enlisting the student stylists. We will need a business plan and mentorship from trainer stylists and other professionals. We’ll have to pick our first group of students carefully, as early frustrations can be harder to overcome.
Success in Year 2:
By year two the salon should be generating income at the same time as providing training to more youth. In this year we will have to ensure the salon develops the momentum for continued development. We will need to reflect on lessons learnt and be willing to adapt our program in order to overcome any challenges.
Success in Year 3:
In year three we will have to review our business plan and plan the way forward. We may need to replace supplies and improve the facility. We will review how the graduates from our program are managing, and if we need to provide any other support to our students to ensure their success.
Do you have a business plan or strategic plan? (yes/no)
no
What are the three most important actions needed to grow your initiative or organization? STEP 1:
We need to develop a business plan, curriculum and risk analysis. Our board of directors can help with this and we can also access expert advice through the community, partners and friends.
What are the three most important actions needed to grow your initiative or organization? STEP 2:
We need to ensure we have committed sufficient financial resources to cover the costs. This can be achieved through proposal writing, fundraising, enlisting community support and developing other income generating projects.
What are the three most important actions needed to grow your initiative or organization? STEP 3:
We need to continually, review, reflect on, monitor and evaluate the program in order to address challenges quickly, adapt to changing needs and maintain focus of our values and goals. This can be achieved by following our business plan, developing effective monitoring systems and encouraging open feedback between participants, community members, volunteers and staff.
Describe the expected results of these actions.
The results will be a successful training salon that generates income for EYE-C and provides street youth and at risk youth with the opportunity to better themselves, learn and work. We anticipate training a dozen youth every four months, which will total 162 youth over three years. The majority of these will be young women, and priority will be given to young mothers (under the age of 25). Training and employment will provide an alternative to life on the streets, prostitution, and other dangerous options.
What was the defining moment that led you to this innovation?
I lived on the streets as a child for four years. Ever since I had the opportunity to change my life I have wanted to give others the same chance. I see the youth of Kenya struggling against great odds everyday. I feel especially bad for my sisters who are often abused and abandoned. They deserve a chance at a better life.
Tell us about the social innovator behind this idea.
My name is Daniel Nduati. I was a street kids for four years. When I had the opportunity to change my life I decided I also had to help others. In 2001 I started Emmanuel Center first as a drop-in center, and then as a Rescue Center which house 40 former street kids, and provides them with education and health care. We have also opened up EYE-C to help youth quit drugs, get training and develop self-esteem. I have a diploma from Karen Bible College, and am a member of the Hurrlingham Rotary Club.
How did you first hear about Changemakers?
I heard about Changemakers from Youth Action Net and the International Youth Foundation.
This Entry is about (Issues)
Sustainability
What would prevent your project from being a success?
Our major challenge is resources. We need to know we have the resources to develop our project fully. We know from experience you can not implement a project half way. Once the resources are secured, we need to make sure they are effectively and transparently managed. Additionally, we need to ensure we have responsible staff. We also must inform the community about what we are doing and ensure they support the idea. In Kenya we also face the risk of insecurity, corruption and violence. We need to make sure we have a strong team at EYE-C to counter this, as well as good security.
Financing source
If yes, provide organization name.
yes, Emmanuel Center
How long has this organization been operating? (i.e. less than a year; 1-5 years; more than 5 years)
more than 5 years
Does your organization have a Board of Directors or an Advisory Board?
Yes
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)
Yes
Please tell us more about how these partnerships are critical to the success of your innovation.
Emmanuel Center would not exist without its partners. For example, one of our friends pays the rent at EYE-C each month so we no that no matter what we can open the doors. Similarly, another partner helped us set up the computer labs and books. Another friend enlisted teachers to come help us on the holidays. Without this support we would not be able to provide quality services to the children and youth.
We also believe the children and youth we work with are our partners. They provide feedback, encouragement and support in their own unique
How many people will your project serve annually?
162
What is the total number of employees and total number of volunteers at your organization?
seven employees and 12 volunteers
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.
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 | 146 weeks agoDelle Booth said: Wow, what an important opportunity to help young people to develop self-sufficiency. Emmanuel already has a reputation for doing awesome ... about this Competition Entry. - read more > |
| 146 weeks agoJanet Gugins said: EYE - C Bahati is an excellent candidate and should be considered for this funding.I am always amazed at the dedication, hard ... about this Competition Entry. - read more > |
| 148 weeks agoSara Price said: It's so great to see that the team at Emmanuel Centre is expanding their work with vulnerable children in Kenya. How wonderful ... about this Competition Entry. - read more > |
| 148 weeks agoLinda Kelly-Smith said: I have always been impressed with the staff at Emmanuel’s and EYE-c and their ability to be both creative and resourceful. ... about this Competition Entry. - read more > |
| 148 weeks agoAnne Peters said: A program like this will be another positive step that will assist Kenyan youth, especially young women, to become educated, confident ... about this Competition Entry. - read more > |
| 148 weeks agoJulia Smith said: Looks like a great idea! I'm so happy EYE-C is doing so well. Keep up the good work. about this Competition Entry. - read more > |
