Who do we support?
GIFT International supports local communities in the developing world through the provision of initial funding for sustainable community projects, education, training and capacity-building. To date we have been involved in a diverse range of projects in Kenya, Ghana and Ecuador.
Ujumula
Unemployment and lack of opportunities for young people present big challenges for many communities in Kenya. GIFT International has supported the establishment of a local craft enterprise, Ujumula, in Gede, where young people will be employed in making a range of hand crafted items from natural and recycled materials for sale locally and to tourists. Support included provision of premises and the purchase of a computer, printer and photocopier through which additional income can be derived from the local community
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Bee Keeping
Small scale traditional beekeeping is an established activity throughout Kenya. Communities recognise that by operating at a more commercial level, this enterprise can provide vital revenue through the sales of honey and honey related products. Communities understand that protection of the environment is important for providing a food source for the bees and as such is a good example of the sustainable development GIFT International seeks to achieve.
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Cattle projects
Working with a number of established women’s self-help groups, GIFT International has funded cattle husbandry projects. Income from the sale of cattle replenishes and increases the herd and remaining profits are used by the women to support education and health in their communities
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Trench gardens
Malnutrition is a recognised problem in Kenya and one possible solution identified by communities with whom GIFT has been working is to cultivate a wider range of crops, thereby varying the diet. To enhance and maintain the fertility of the soil, a programme of composting and trench gardening has been established. GIFT International provided funds for local purchase of wheel barrows, seeds, watering cans and associated tools to support this initiative.
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Tree Nurseries GIFT International has contributed to the setting up of small local tree nurseries, providing the capital necessary to purchase, for example, water tanks, basic equipment and successional planting.
After five years tree nurseries provide a sustainable annual cash crop that can be sold for construction purposes, helping to conserve the indigenous hardwood trees within the local forest environment. As part of their contribution to the project, nursery operators undertake to grow from seed and nurture a quantity of indigenous trees alongside the cash crop; these will be replanted into the forest and will not be harvested commercially. Operators are encouraged to act as advocates for forest conservation in their localities and to publicise the community benefits of their enterprise. (For example, the provision of a water tank to facilitate a tree nursery in one community has had the added benefit of reducing the need for families to carry drinking water over long distances, with associated health benefits for the community). |
Teacher Training
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