THIS PROJECT FUNDS A FULLY FABRICATED SHIPPING CONTAINER CLASSROOM FOR THE TEEN MOMS OF NJOO DADA TRUST, A BELOVED TGE PARTNER AND BENEFICIARY. THE COST OF THIS PROJECT IS $7,700. PLEASE DONATE TODAY.
THE BENEFICIARY:
Located in Dagoretti, Kenya, Njoo Dada Trust is a rescue center for pregnant teenagers and women that have been abandoned by their families and communities. Focused on providing a safe environment for these young mothers and their children, Njoo Dada helps them transition into motherhood while teaching them skills, such as tailoring and catering, that will empower them to be self-sufficient. Most importantly, it provides them a support system and sense of community that they have lost, helping them to reintegrate into society.
SUCCESSFUL HISTORY WITH TGE:
TGE has partnered with Njoo Dada on a number of projects since 2018, the first of which was a simple ‘heart’ project whereby TGE supporters donated a large gas stove so that the girls could more easily cook for the entire home, and do so indoors.
In 2020, TGE donated 5 sewing machines for the girls to learn a marketable trade skill – from these sewing machines have come hundreds of high-quality, hand-crafted bags, from totes to duffles, that many a TGE supporter now call their own.
Most recently, in 2021, TGE partnered with ROSE Women’s Foundation to provide Business Training to (23) girls at a local rented facility. The training was conducted in (5) days spread out over (6) weeks, and provided education in the following areas:
- business idea creation
- finance and bookkeeping
- profit making
- sales and marketing fundamentals
- savings and emergency preparedness
On the final day, each student created their own business pitch, which they presented live to a panel of judges, graduating them from Level 1 of the ROSE Micro-Enterprise Business Training. Each received a $100 grant to continue the development of their businesses. Each participant experienced growth both personally and professionally, and many said the training changed their lives, gaining confidence in their abilities to run a successful business.
At our last volunteer trip to Kenya in March 2022, we were so glad to meet with several of the graduates who are flourishing as accomplished beauticians, hairdressers and bakers.
PROBLEM:
Since TGE donated sewing machines in 2020, dozens of girls have made hundreds of bags using the machines and sponsored training. However, all of this has taken place in the living room of the small house that is home to 10 girls and their babies. The space is much too small and uncomfortable for effective training, and three times per week they must set up the workshop with tables and machines, and then put it all away in storage after the session. This much movement is damaging to the sewing machines and is not an efficient use of the girls’ or trainer’s time. Additionally, the girls are currently living in a rental house, of which the landlord has warned many times in recent years that he plans to move back soon and will require his house back. Therefore, TGE cannot support any substantial renovations to the structure of the house itself.
SOLUTION:
The Giving Exchange has pledged $7,700 for the purchase of a fully fabricated shipping container classroom. This container comes outfitted with windows, partitions, tables, and a lockable door. By adding this portable classroom to their property, Njoo Dada will double the number of girls they train from 16 to 32 at a regular schedule of two 3-day cycles of classes per week. They will also be able to sell the spots in these classes to community members for a small fee, which will add to their household income and future development. Finally, if the landlord claims back their rental house, they will own this classroom and the supplies within, and will be able to take it with them to their next location.
Please donate to this project today!
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