CES Canada - Committed to
Making Collective Impact Work in Rural Kenya
The challenges facing people living in a rural area of 3000 sq
km in western Kenya are massive. Lack of access to justice and children unable
to attend school are compounded by high levels of youth unemployment, acute
poverty, rising costs of food, unsafe water supplies and the continued scourge
of HIV/AIDS. Over the past eleven years Community Education Services (CES)
Canada has made a difference as it seeks to transform these unacceptable
realities. A collective impact approach focuses on the goal to reduce poverty
and enable secondary youth to attend school.
CES Canada is the “Backbone
Organization” that creates
a working environment for others in Canada and in Kenya to discover real time
solutions and positive outcomes. To be successful, the collective impact
depends on CES to identify a common agenda, establish a shared measurement, and
create a team approach through effective and continuous communication. In our
work, this means identifying Kenya’s
critical need(s), creating awareness of the need in Canada, brainstorming for
solutions in both Canada and Kenya, and creating strategies for fundraising.
CES is also attuned to the need for fiscal accountability, communications to
supporters and ongoing tracking analysis of its community outreach.
The results are worth noting. 26 CES associated schools,1500
scholarships enabling 450 students to achieve the KCSE; and, 1/3 of CES
graduates engaging in higher education. A growing number of alumnus are now
working in the areas of education, medicine, agriculture, nursing, technology
and science.
In 2004 CES Canada undertook research in 30 schools across Kenya
on the effects of the HIV/AIDS pandemic on the Kenyan school system. As a
result, 4 schools in western Kenya were selected and 12 students identified as
bright, needy and orphaned by Aids. With CES Kenya supervising the work on the
ground, a key partnership evolved. An initial governance structure was put in
place that gave CES status as a charity with Revenue Canada and later with the
Economic and Social Development Division of UNESCO.
CES has taken part in two other research projects, the first at
U of Massachusetts (USA) and the second at MMUST(Kenya). The former determined
what locals were indicating their needs to be while the latter identifies and
promotes better hygiene practice within school communities.
Ten CES constructed wells produce clean water to an estimated
15,000 people in these school communities. An estimated 3 million hours
collecting water each year have been saved for more productive activities.
Safer water means healthier learners who now have more time to study and
achieve higher grades.
Musaga SS has been built entirely by CES and since 2010 has
welcomed 440 students through its gates. Previously students were forced to
walk 8 km in either direction to attend secondary school. A hydro project
(2014) and this year a new Kitchen will make Musaga SS fully operational. Other
infrastructure programs at Ibinzo SS, Eshitari SS, Navakholo SS, Shikoti Girls
HS and Bishop Sulumeti Girls HS include a Dormitory, Library, Kitchen, and two
Science Labs.
A unique partnership with UNICEF’s
global WASH in Schools program encourages schools to create behaviour change
and provide resources for hygiene management. Girls are supported through the
CES Kenya PAD project, receiving training and resources for their personal
hygiene needs. All students are provided anti-malaria mosquito nets and
medical/healthcare support.
CES Kenya is providing ICT training and certification for
students in a 2015 pilot project at St Patrick's Ikonyero SS. Participants
create a personal resume and receive further Life Skills and prep training for
post secondary studies.
Two Dairy Farm projects and working vegetable farms at St Mary
Goretti SS and Bishop Sulumeti SS provide food to students in these
communities. Effective collaboration with EAAPP (East Africa Agricultural
Productivity Project) has made this possible. CES has also established a market
garden farm at Navakholo SS. In 2010 CES initiated a Re-forestation program in
honour of the life of Prof Wangari Maathai, founder of the Green Belt Movement
and 2004 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.
Through a unique partnership with Canadian based World Without
Worms, a massive de-worming project in 2013 resulted in training, education and
medical outreach for 50,000 primary school children.
CES has a special friendship with the Divine Providence Orphanage
in Kakamega. Provision of school uniforms, a water well and education for high
school students has given this place hope and encouragement. Canadian
volunteers spend many hours assisting and caring for the babies, toddlers and
the 120 children living there. Since 2007 CES Canada has created important
Canada-Kenya friendships through the direct involvement of 60 volunteers to
Kenya.
The CES Leadership Scholarship initiative will permit six top
achievers to receive a full four year university scholarship. A leadership
training component includes community service. Students will at the end of
their studies be able to take their place in society as leaders and nation
builders.
With the help of 26 elite Kenyan marathon runners CES created a
global first, the 2013 CES Kenya 140km Peace Run (Kericho to Kakamega) and
Peace Rally. The message of peace and reconciliation was heard by 20,000 people
who were entering into a time of national elections. The annual Canada Day Run
brings together 200 CES students who participate in long distance running at
Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology.
CES Canada has consistently focused on the need for Education,
Clean Water, Health and Nutrition with emphasis on Gender Equity and
Environmental Sustainability. CES has witnessed acute poverty, injustice and
abuses against women and children in Kenya. There is a sense of urgency that
drives the organization.
CES has grown incrementally as financial resources have allowed.
Other partnerships have served to build the "collective impact";
these include a local university (MMUST), the national EAAPP Dairy Initiative,
IPA International Poverty Action Group, World Without Worms, Kenya Ministry of
Education, and school governing bodies at 26 secondary schools. These partners
are key to making progress against urgent and complex problems.
Funding is critical to reach target goals. In 2014 CES Canada
received significant funds from The Peter Cundill Foundation. With its emphasis
on promoting the health, education and well being of young people, the
Foundation honours the legacy of renowned Canadian philanthropist, F. Peter
Cundill. As a result, CES has increased its outreach and impact by creating 100 new
secondary scholarships and support for 20 university students.
CES Canada continues to depend on individuals who share Vision
R2E (Right to Education) for youth living in Kenya. Small business, community
and school groups in Canada as well as local service clubs provide support for
specific events and projects. CES seeks to discover new sources of interest
from venture philanthropy and social entrepreneurship.
CES Canada depends on a "Collective Impact" that
involves a variety of people who are passionate about human rights in
developing countries and who care deeply about the plight of young people in
rural Kenya. It acknowledges and appreciates the fact that caring Canadians
have sacrificed time and finances to create positive change. The fact that
Kenyan partners have enthusiastically responded and have worked so hard to
enable Vision R2E is inspiring.
Social change takes time; yet, its effects can be felt over two
to three generations. CES believes in the "seven fold" multiplication
factor where young people helped will in turn reach out to better the lives of
seven others. The collective actions of hundreds of Kenyan students lifted out
of poverty cannot be underestimated.
The question for CES comes down to one basic element: when CES
withdraws and is no more, has it left any evidence that social change and increased
education opportunity have occurred? When the backbone organization ceases,
will there be another locally run aid group to take its place? When Kenyan
partners disband, will they say "we did it together"? That is the
goal, the prize, the calling to which CES Canada is committed to achieving.
