Discussion about entry: Empowering orphans in Kenya through comprehensive education
This is discussion about Empowering orphans in Kenya through comprehensive education.
This is discussion about Empowering orphans in Kenya through comprehensive education.
Commentaires
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
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