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Our Newest Program – Youth-led Small-Scale Sustainable Development Projects
NextAid has launched a new program initiative that seeks to partner with local grassroots organizations to develop and fund multiple small-scale youth-led sustainable development projects throughout Africa. The supported projects will be relatively modest in budget ($10,000 to $25,000), but will maximize impact in disadvantaged communities by embracing principles of sustainable development.
Projects are required to incorporate several key principles in order to receive support and seed funding. They must involve youth leadership and initiative in development of proposals and implementation. Projects will involve a component of a sustainable income-generating business and incorporate use of renewable resources in their sustainability plan. Chosen projects will embrace the use of environmentally friendly practices in their daily operations and include environmental awareness in education programs. They will involve, benefit or provide services to AIDS orphans, youth affected by AIDS and other vulnerable children in their community.
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Pilot Project – Kawangware Street Children and Youth Project
We are pleased to announce the selection of Kawangware as our first project in the small-scale partnership initiative. The Kawangware Street Children and Youth Project is a locally created and managed organization started by former street kids to provide positive opportunities to get kids off the streets in their community- a slum bordering Nairobi. The youth’s primary income generating business is making silkscreened gift bags out of recycled paper for sale to safari companies and tourist shops. The collective of former street kids operate out of a cramped and crumbling two-room shack in the Nairobi slum where they live. The profits from their business enable the participants to generate income for themselves and to take care of the community’s orphaned or vulnerable children while providing a productive and positive environment for the youth.
NextAid is collaborating with the Kawangware Street Youth to come up with small-scale sustainable solutions to improve their business and organization. The proposed project includes building a new “green” workshop and multipurpose program facility to expand their operation and ultimately serve more youth. We are currently in the design and costing phase and are consulting with Kenyan architects experienced in eco-friendly building methods. Proposed features include a rooftop vegetable garden and solar cooker, compost toilets, and construction skills training through a “volunteer build” program. Additionally, we will support their ongoing organizational development by providing computer and technology donations, capacity building and small business skills training.
NextAid was able to send emergency relief funds to support Kawangware through the turmoil Kenya experienced in early 2008 resulting from politically charged post-election violence. Donations were used to buy school uniforms to enable children to return to school and provide food when shortages and sky-rocketing costs meant there was only enough to eat meals once per day. NextAid’s emergency funding also supported a Peace and Reconciliation seminar for the community to dialogue about the violence.
We are thrilled to be working with this inspiring group of youth! NextAid’s Founder, Lauren Segal-Avenna, and Program Director, Wendy Cross, were able to spend time with the Kawangware project leaders while visiting Kenya in 2007 for the World Social Forum. From this meeting, NextAid recognized their capacity to support deserving grassroots organizations and projects in a meaningful way.
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