Making A Difference

As a small organisation we are able to build strong and trusting relationships with our partners in Africa. We know our projects are working because members of the communities we work with continually tell us about their progress; and how proud they are to have been at the centre of their community’s transformation. Some of their comments and stories can be found on this page and throughout the website. What’s more, funders and other NGOS regularly report back to us on how effective our projects are.

Action – Learning – Action

African Initiatives’ methodology in all its work is action-learning-action. At the end of each of its activities African Initiatives facilitates evaluation forums to capture lessons learned by all those involved. An end of project report is then produced based on this information which explains the particular methodologies used and the activity’s outcomes. Reports are then disseminated widely and available upon request. From the outcomes of projects and after reflecting upon them with our partners, future projects are identified and so the cycle begins again…

Gathering Evidence – the facts

Hard Data is essential for measuring impact: 30,000 farmers producing more food and increasing the sustainability of their faming methods; over 300 women on credit schemes earning up to 250 percent profit and 98 percent repayment rates; female genital mutilation reduced from 90 percent to 15 percent in one area in northern Ghana; increased land rights and security for 200,000 Maasai pastoralists and 5,000 hunter – gatherers in Tanzania.

Gathering Evidence – “Let me tell you a story”

In many ways it is the experiences and perceptions of the people benefiting from our work that are most important. As a small organization African Initiatives is better placed than its larger counterparts to really listen and respond to feedback from the communities it works with.

The People Talk...

Maandra of the Pastoral Women’s Council reflects on the visible improvements brought by PWC: "Historically Maasai women were not allowed to participate in meetings with men, hence they could not influence the decisions affecting their livelihood.

Gradually women's roles are changing; Maasai women have found themselves challenging the marginalisation and oppression of their gender. Women are in the position to own properties generated from their own initiatives. Education is the key to women's liberation - a process that will only occur when women join efforts.”

Women’s Rights – Rebecca Seidhu’s Story

As a young woman Becky stood up in a village meeting in northern Ghana and announced that she would not get married until domestic violence in her community stopped. African Initiatives supported Becky to work with other women in her community and now she is educating and organizing them to own livestock, resist domestic violence and fight for their rights.

“I feel empowered. The women feel empowered and inspired. We have the skills and knowledge and we need more of this”

Girls’ Education – Lilian Nandoyie’s story

As with most girls in Tanzania, Lilian was not allowed to go to school. Thanks to African Initiatives’ support, local women’s groups are breaking down the barriers that prevent girls getting an education. What’s more Lilian has completed secondary school and now works for the district government in her own community and supports other girls through school.

Sustainable agriculture – Zakaria Arango’s story

Zakaria is a local farmer in northern Ghana where almost 100% of the population rely on farming for their survival. Zakaria knows only too well how tough farming is in the arid, dusty lands of northern Ghana where the rains only come once a year. However as a result of African Initiatives’ work improving sustainable agriculture more food is now being produced and the local environment is better managed. As well as reducing hunger and malnutrition, farmers’ incomes have increased. Now they have their own community centre and are seeking support to train both men and women in neighbouring communities.

“The hunger gap has reduced and now when there is a bad harvest families are devising their own strategies. We see women with their own gardens and livestock and using organic pesticides so they don’t need money”

“It took continual education. We didn’t just preach, preach, preach. Now people respect us.”
Rebecca Seidhu, Ghana

“We are unified and speak with a common voice. And we know African Initiatives is dancing with us.”
Philip Ayamba, farmer in Northern Ghana

“Sometimes we get frightened by the big men but now we are strong. People respect us, even the MP.”
Martha Kariyongi, Tanzania

“Now we as women are getting respect from our husbands. There are now two landlords, my husband and I. Can you believe that we are getting some land to farm? If you want me to talk about the changes we will be here forever!”
Amorobo Peter, Ghana

“If this work stopped we would be OK but in my heart I would die. There is still so much to do and we need to take this to other communities. With African Initiatives we can do this. Then we will be free and we will fear nothing, not even poverty.”
Samuel Ndaoye, Ghana

“In Maasai, women are seen as children. We cannot participate in decision- making. This oppresses us and makes us feel inferior. I have to show men I am strong and can do things on my own. I know my rights and how to fight. I’m advising my youn sister and other girls that we need to struggle and face all problems so as to meet the goal. Everything is possible if you want (it).” 
Namdoiye  Mburiito, Tanzania