For several years, Seed of Hope has been assisting its graduates to set up their own businesses in order to become self sufficient. This gives them the “dignity, opportunity and hope” we feel they deserve and prevents them relying on external assistance indefinitely. This concept has proved to be a great success and it is one that we are now looking to apply to a number of our projects.
Over the course of 2008 and the first half of 2009, Riandu Children’s Home and Kandara Children’s Home began to establish their own income generating projects. Using the skills and knowledge of the local area, these institutions have started up small enterprises to subsidise the sponsorship income they receive from Vision Africa. At Riandu, the administrator Henry Mbogo has established “Home Farm” which includes the breeding of chickens, keeping goats and cows for milk and breeding pigs for sale. At Kandara Children’s Home, in addition to the livestock, they have established a bakery which produces cakes that are sold in the local community. Both of these homes are working hard to ensure their enterprises are successful but require further investments to take them to the next level.
These models are now being rolled out to other Vision Africa projects such as Seed of Hope. Due to the current economic crisis and changes in funding, all 4 Seed of Hope Centres have had to cut back on their feeding programmes. 
In order to generate funds, each centre is looking to establish a number of income generating projects ranging from bee-keeping to growing and selling napier grass (used to feed cows). Where the land is fertile, it is also hoped that the centres can cultivate their shamba (garden for growing crops) and start to grow foodstuffs that they can sell or consume. In more arid areas such as Kitui, drought resistant crops such as millet and sorghum (dried and used to make porridge) and sweet potatoes and cassava can be grown. We have already trialed this at Percy Davies School in Kambiti with great success.
The teachers, parents and children themselves often have the knowledge and skills required to make these income generating projects work. All they need is the initial capital to get them off the ground. 
For some projects, such as the drought resistant crops, a small donation of just £50 could buy seeds, cuttings and fertilizer to get them started. Around £50-£100 can buy enough chickens to start a breeding programme and £100 can buy a pig. For bigger projects like a bakery, £600 can buy a wood burning oven and baking tins.
If you, your church, your school, your company or organisation is able to help with a donation towards one of these projects you would be offering “dignity, opportunity and hope” to disadvantaged children in Kenya. Please use our contact form to get in touch for more details.