City Shamba–urban gardening: protecting the environment, producing food and jobs

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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

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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

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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.

 

Ambiani: Creating online content to teach children African languages

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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

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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

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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.

African Comedy Collective: using comedy to create online content for local entrepreneurs

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In 2019, GPA proudly supported the Collective with a $5000 grant to purchase AV equipment. This organization uses their immense comedic talents to produce short videos for social entrepreneurs to post on social media. Additionally, they host monthly networking meetings for young entrepreneurs to learn from each other. In 2020 GPA provided additional funding due to the COVID pandemic that supported them as they transitioned community networking events to an online platform. In December 2020, GPA awarded second level funding in the amount of $10,000 to expand operations of the impact studio and to other townships. ACCA has helped numerous organizations increase their online presence and has now worked with GPA grantees and applicants in South Africa to create their “pitch” videos when applying for funding. They are a prime example of youth developing business models that provides jobs and social benefit to others.

a networking event

part of the ACCA team

Sobae: producing amazing sorbet and juices from perfectly ripe fruit

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In 2020, GPA was pleased to support Sobae with a $3600 grant. This organization uses “perfectly ripe” fruit that is sold by vendors in the community to make delicious and healthy sorbets and juices. GPA funding allowed them to move from a push cart to a store. GPA provided additional funding ($3300) during the COVID crisis to support their needs as they move to a virtual community

Sobae Leadership

The new store!

A visit from Duchess Meghan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In 2021 GPA provided additional COVID related funding allowing the organization to operate during the pandemic. Finally, in October 2021 Sobae received a second level grant for $10,000. Funds were used to increase production of their best-selling sorbets, purchase additional equipment and hire two employees. In addition, they increased their product line to include gummies and donut cones!

 

 

 

 

 

Sobae’s famous DONUT cone!

Lockshin Pizza: Supporting the community through pizza

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GPA was pleased to offer a first grant for $3300 to support Lockshin Pizza, a shop that provides a safe place for youth to gather and do homework after school. The youth first do their homework, then learn how to operate a pizza parlor. GPA funding was provided to help the organization purchase necessary equipment and commercial kitchen supplies. In 2020 GPA provided special COVID related grant funding in the amount of  $7500 to assist the organization as they re-tool to provide much-needed bread to the community during the pandemic.

The Lockshin Pizza Team

Ubunchule Bezandla: women learning traditional beading and modern entrepreneurship

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In May, 2019 GPA provided a $3500 grant to support instruction in traditional beading arts and entrepreneurship education for women in South Africa. Nine women were trained and now operate their own businesses. Additionally, the organization improved it’s social media and marketing plans and began to sell their wares to a larger audience.

women participating in beading instruction   

some of their amazing work