GRASSROOTS ORGANISATIONS IN KWALE URGED TO COLLABORATE FOR SUSTAINABILITY

 

Dutch MOFA representative  Julia Munsters alongside Kwale PGM2 beneficiaries.

BY :Caroline Katana 

In the past, we raised money simply by asking through crowdfunding sites, mails, in person and at events.

Today there are more non-profits than ever which means more people than ever are doing the asking and the competition is heavy and donors are savvier.

Donors know good fundraising when  they see it  and they  are steering  clear of the bad stuff ,they are tired  of being “ hit up  for money “, they expect more and want to see a good  return on their investment  in organizations ,they want satisfaction  from their giving  experience .

Every donor want  to know  organization’s trustworthy ,the difference made by organization ,the outcome ,appreciated  ,feel good  about their experience ,they  don’t want to be  hounded about more money  ,heart –warming  stories ,clear explanation of the need ,trust that organization deserves their  support .

All grant making organizations have their own ways of working but almost all of them approach the grant making decision process in a relatively similar way.

In Kwale  county, the Participatory Grant Making PGM 2  funded  by the Netherlands Embassy  through the JISRA project  implemented  by Kenya Community Support Centre KECOSCE  transformed community members in its unique way .

Five grassroots organizations Green Minds CBO , Smart Move ,2ko  na hope ,CHED and Kwale  women desk  benefited with the PGM 2 program in Kwale county  and  set a good record on changing the lives of vulnerable  people in the community through the strategic approach of inclusiveness .

Speaking  during a   meeting  in Diani ,Kwale county a representative of  the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs  Julia Munsters and Green Minds  leader  Caroline Katana said that In a region grappling with increasing  juvenile gangs, Green Minds has been at the forefront of fostering peaceful, community-driven solutions aimed at transforming youth and promoting harmonious coexistence.

In response to these challenges, Green Minds  successfully implemented a peace and security project titled “Punguza  Vipanga Jenga Amani”  and   adopted a non-violent, participatory approach, leveraging collaboration between diverse community stakeholders—including religious leaders, youth, and local law enforcement— to create awareness, mediate conflicts, and promote peace and security,  with a clear mission to promote the socio-economic well-being of communities by fostering positive change, peace, and security.

PGM2 beneficiaries during session with  the Dutch MOFA representative.

She noted that The “Punguza Vipanga Jenga Amani” project has shown remarkable results including:

Several gang leaders from Mbweka and Kombani undergone significant transformation, forming self-help groups and engaging in positive economic activities. One beneficiary has secured employment as a tuk-tuk driver, while another group is in the process of registering as a youth peace group.

Reforming gang leaders have become peace ambassadors within their communities, contributing to the reduction of criminal activities and promoting cooperation with local law enforcement.

Cases of insecurity have decreased in Waa, and there has been an increase in positive collaboration between youth, community members, and the police. At least 50 groups of juvenile youth transformed

2ko na hope organization implemented a project  dubbed  Dini ni Amani  to  build interfaith cohesion while CHED increase the knowledge ,access and services of SRHR  through interfaith  collaboration ,Kwale Women Desk implemented a project dubbed Miale ya Matumaini  na Ushirikiano  Dhidi ya Dhulma za Kijinsia “ to eliminated scourge of gender based violence and smart move  implemented a project dubbed Asasi Yehu –foundation progressive change through religious tolerance .

Through the collaborative efforts the five organizations' achievements were; amplifying the power of youth and women, equipping them with skills and knowledge to promote peace and tolerance.

Addressed violence extremism, collaborated to counter extremist narratives and promote interfaith dialogue in previously hot spot areas like Kombani, Ng’ombeni, Denyenye , Tsimba and Tiwi.

Dutch MOFA representative  Julia Munsters alongside Kwale PGM2 beneficiaries.

Promoting religious tolerance by successfully fostering understanding and respect between diverse religious communities.

Embracing of religious diversity by community members in addressing matters of sexual gender based violence and child abuse.

Munsters applauded the groups’ for their fascinating and encouraging performance promising her continued support.

The MOFA representative emphasized the importance of partnership, collaboration and networking for sustainability of the organization.

Joint  initiative for strategic  religious action JISRA  is an interfaith partnership  which promotes freedom of  religion or belief implemented in Kenya ,Iraq ,Ethiopia ,Indonesia ,Mali  ,Nigeria and Uganda .

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