We're celebrating Vision Africa's 10th anniversary by developing self-sustainability at the projects we partner with which support disadvantaged children and youths in Kenya. These range from an abandoned baby unit to vocational training centres. Over the past few years we have set up Income Generating Activities at a number of our projects including animal rearing, farming, bakeries, hair and beauty salons, a fashion label and a recycling centre. Now we want to take them to the next level.
In 2008, due to the global economic crisis our funding from UK dropped by 50%. At that time, we realised how dependent our project partners were on our support. This was a turning point for us as we managed to maintain 94% of our programs by developing Income Generating Activities to raise funds and address the needs of the local communities. Our project partners want to develop computer training courses, set up enterprises to sell dairy produce, recycle garbage or provide conference facilities.
By working with partner projects to develop income generating activities we can nurture independence and empower them towards self-sustainability. As they raise funds through their IGAs they can take on some of the running costs for their program rather than rely on donor funding. They can also use the income to develop their program eg. one centre sold pigs it had bred and used the proceeds to fund a hair and beauty salon offering training to students while raising funds through customers.
Our partner projects are working towards the goal of raising 30% of their budget through IGAs by the end of 2013. We have already seen project staff take great pride in earning their own funds through IGAs and being able to enhance their programs and the services they offer. The projects looking for investment work with approximately 4000 children in schools for children with special needs, vocational and enterprise training centres for youths, children's homes and a sports development program.
