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Aidlink Summary Annual Report 2023
Spotlight – BOARD visit to Kenya
FUNDING Self-funded
Findings and Learnings:
• Confirmation that Aidlink reaches some of the most disadvantaged communities in Kenya who are becoming more disadvantaged as climate change threatens their way of life in a very significant way.
• Education is critical in meeting basic rights of children and fostering ambition for lives and livelihoods that may be sustainable into the future.
• The objective of attracting girls into school has had significant success with substantial enrolment increases in all schools visited.
• The relevance and value of the ‘software’ elements of programme are often the most important thing we can do – with trainings seen by school leadership and communities as having key importance.
• School feeding is essential in attracting and keeping children in school in targeted communities where hunger is a real threat. The very successful school farm in Kajiado County is an example of the potential for sustainable school feeding programmes and improved livelihoods for families when there is adequate water.
• The GCN staff are very committed and talented and generally wonderful in a way that is quite humbling.
• The problems of people in targeted communities are vast and complicated. However, together with our partners, our contribution to ‘turning the dial’ is giving children a better chance to succeed.
In October, seven Members of the Board of Aidlink travelled to Kenya on a unique, individually self-funded Immersion Programme. The objective was to strengthen Board Governance subsequent to the external independent evaluation of our education programmes in Kenya; to
meet with partners and key stakeholders; to visit schools and communities to verify the investment made and hear testimony on how those investments have changed lives
of beneficiaries and assess the skills and competency of
our partners. In addition this visit was an opportunity to promote personal learning, to bear witness and understand the context where we work in Kajiado and Turkana counties to facilitate more informed discussions and make better judgements in our roles.
Impact: While in Kenya, the Board connected with partners, local government representatives and beneficiaries of Aidlink-supported projects.
During the visit, Aidlink celebrated 20 years of partnership with the Girl Child Network. Together with our colleagues, led by Mercy Musomi, CEO of Girl Child Network, we reflected on the achievements and successes of our partnership
and the ongoing challenges faced by nomadic pastoralist communities with whom we work - especially the girl child.
According to Mercy Musomi Executive Director of GCN
“2023 has been a wonderful year for our longstanding partnership. We have every reason to celebrate twenty amazing years of a fruitful partnership. Aidlink is without a doubt our greatest partner and has been with us every step of the way from our humble beginnings. In the words of Mr. John Lynch, Chairman to Aidlink board, the Aidlink/GCN partnership is a symbiotic relationship that benefits both organisations.”
Photo: Marion Shaw, Seán Crowe, Anne Cleary (Aidlink CEO), Hon. Moshisho Martine (Deputy Governor of Kajiado County), Mercy Musomi (GCN CEO), John Lynch (Aidlink Chairman), Annet Evara and Dario Devale (Aidlink Programme Coordinator) in Kenya.
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