Read about some of the grass-roots projects we supported in Africa, and how they have sustainably improved life for local communities.
Setting up community beekeeping in The Gambia
We supported a project in Bakary Sambouya, The Gambia, that helped women establish their own beekeeping business. The project was managed by The Kambeng Trust which had already been working in the village for several years. It involved fencing off and clearing an area, building hives and trapping bees. The local women were trained in beekeeping by Gambia’s National Bee Keeping Association. Halcrow Foundation funds bought hives, protective clothing and other equipment, which was used to produce honey for sale to tourists and hotels. As well as improving household incomes and living standards, the project helped raise the status of women in the village.
Improving sanitary facilities at a primary school in Kenya
The Halcrow Foundation worked with the Health and Water Foundation to build a latrine block in a primary school in Nyarima, Kenya. The new facilities include designated toilets for boys, girls and teachers, and a large rainwater harvesting tank to provide clean water. Previously, the girls’ toilet block was in an exposed public area and had no doors. Girls reaching puberty felt extremely vulnerable and uncomfortable using them, especially during their periods. Over 500 teachers and students, including disabled children, benefit directly from the new latrines. As well as improving physical health and wellbeing, the project aims to increase girls’ school attendance rates and academic performance.
Building fuel-efficient stoves in Tanzania
Working with Sunseed Tanzania Trust, we funded the construction of fuel-efficient indoor mud stoves for villagers in Tanzania. Previously, women would cook over open indoor fires which spewed out smoke, causing eye and breathing conditions and risking injury from spillages and burns. The insulated mud stoves are built from locally-sourced, sustainable materials and greatly reduce the amount of wood needed for cooking. Collecting less firewood reduces the risk of attack on women as they forage. It also frees up time for education and income-generating activities.
Supporting a school for children with special needs in Mozambique
Our support helped to improve a school for children with special needs in Maputo, Mozambique. Local charity Cooperativa para a Educação e Reabilitação de Cidadãos Inadaptados (CERCI) turned the school from a single room where students watched television all day, to a purpose-built facility providing specialist care, education and support. CERCI works with children aged six to 15 years with a range of needs including Down’s syndrome, Asperger’s syndrome and autism. The families of most children attending the school are unable to contribute towards fees, so Halcrow Foundation covered the running costs. With the support of a trained, specialist team providing speech, occupational and physical therapy, the children are given the chance to develop and flourish.
