Binti-leadership training and entrepreneurial support for women
GPA made a grant of $5000 in 2020 to Binti and subsequently made an additional $4000 grant to support the organization during the COVID pandemic. The main goal of the project was to build foundations for young women to economically empower themselves and positively influence communities through entrepreneurship. This overall goal was achieved through the Anza program. Anza, meaning
start in Swahili provided enterprise acceleration services to 20 young women in Nairobi and Samburu counties. In 2023 the program was awarded an additional $10,000 to expand the program reaching more women.
One Voice-combatting period poverty
One Voice
GPA made a $5000 grant to One Vice in 2021. Funds were used to develop the “She Needs A Pad Project” (SNAPP) to combat “period poverty” in underserved communities. Creating and supplying reusable feminine products. Project reached 920 girls and women in 4 communities in Nigeria. Covid presented challenges to in person learning and group used technology to present health information. A second $5000 grant was made in late 2021 to expand the program reaching 1000 beneficiaries. Training was expanded to include other products, providing start up loans to support young women entrepreneurs and develop a peer-to-peer training component.
Afrigirl Connect-leadership training for young women
Afrigirl Connect, Kenya
In late 2021 GPA was proud to grant $5000 to Afrigirl Connect to support leadership training for young women. The girls had mentors, attending leadership seminars and leaned to sell Afrigirl merchandise that included reusable menstrual pads allowing the girls to retain the profits of their sales. Shortly thereafter, GPA also provided an additional $2000 as a COVID support grant that allowed the organization to increase their digital marketing capabilities.
As a result, the project engaged five mentors and worked with 100 girls forming the Afrigirls Club. 48% of the girls remained in school, 30% increased academic performance in all subjects, there was an increases in confidence and problem solving abilities and a significant increase in autonomy and leadership skills.
City Shamba–urban gardening: protecting the environment, producing food and jobs
In October 2021 GPA provided a $5000 grant to City Shamba to create unique, vertical, urban gardens. 15 youth participated in learning and creating urban gardens that are now used for farming and sustainable livelihoods. Twenty community groups in outlying settlements were trained in managing the vertical gardens and have technical support from Shamba. The organization developed a black soldier fly farm whose larvae produce organic fertilizer that is supplied to the farm. Finally, the organization created a urban garden community center to continue to promote the work and offer technical assistance.
As their leadership states, “Indeed, to deal with the greatest challenges facing humanity, we need disruptive and human centered transformative ideas. In us lie the solutions to these challenges, we only need to embrace the solutions and act towards their realization. Let us be on the right side of history. Together towards the crafting of a better world.”
Youth creating vertical gardens.
Shine: 25 creatives learn business and marketing skills, creating jobs
In October 2021 GPA provided Shine a program-related grant in the amount of $5000 and a COVID special grant in the amount of $2358.00. Shine provided scholarships to 25 women and non-binary entrepreneurs to learn vital skills to create and promote their business. Modules included reaching customers, building community, pricing for profit and general wellness concepts. The COVID related grant provided additional funding to allow the organization to operate during the quarantine period. These funds increased the online presence of SHINE and allowed for additional modules to meet the growing needs of entrepreneurs. After training, 10 scholarship participants entered into mentorships/internships with local professionals to further develop skills and experience.
Village Market: promoting agribusiness and conservation
In December 2020 GPA provided a $5000 grant to Village Market to create a mentorship program to promote agribusiness and conservation focusing on planting crops that produce food and crops that support beekeeping. Honey was harvested and sold to the community. The program created a seed bank, several trainings for youth and provided working capital for youth who are beginning their own community gardens. Based on the success of the first grant, a second $10,000 grant was awarded to expand the seed bank. This will allow small farmers to use the seeds from their harvest and not need to purchase new seeds each year. Moreover, this process creates biodiversity and preserves the land.
Ambiani: Creating online content to teach children African languages
In December 2020 GPA funded Ambiani ($5000.00) to launch a pilot project that provides online learning to youth in South Africa in their African languages. Weekly content is provided through a WhatsApp platform and engages youth with interactive games and activities. The organization trained 6 tutors/mentors and employed 4 individuals to create content. 24 students participated in the pilot phase.
Sisbros of Zion: community based training and job placement
GPA was able to support Sisbros of Zion in July 2019 with a $5000 grant so that they could train youth in various needed skills including tailoring. The organization worked with local businesses to offer job placement. 75 youth participated. 10 youth developed a venture that produces school uniforms, 40 are fully employed.
the tailoring classroom
Kenya Youth Biodiversity Network: training youth in agribusiness
With your support GPA was able to grant $4600 to Kenya Youth Biodiversity network in 2019. This organizations trained 25 youth in agribusiness and raising farm animals. Eventually the organization will build an agricultural training center.
GPA was also able to support the organization with a $5000 grant as they had to re-tool during the COVID crisis to be able to store and preserve some of the products they are growing.
