Organization: Just One Africa Inc
Mission: The Organization's mission is to care for orphans and vulnerable children in Kenya by providing access to clean water and by partnering with local leaders to provide sustainable solutions which create hope through care, education, and community development.
Activities: 2019 Form 990 Program AccomplishmentsGeneral We raised over $850,000 in total in 2019. We raised over $108,000 in sales from our products, supporting our programs. We have reduced our overhead to allow 86% Programs, 9% Administration, 5% Fundraising. We took three trips to Kenya to work with our partners and distribute water filters. We hosted our partners, John and Dorcus Parit for two weeks in the US. We hosted a fundraising dinner for our year-end campaign, with approximately 50 people in attendance. We replaced a rescue vehicle after an unfortunate accident for our partners at Hope Beyond Center with a 2011 Toyota Prado.Sustainability ProgramsBuilding Projects We ran a successful year-end campaign called Jenga Pamoja, which means Build Together, raising funds for a security wall, electricity, and water storage solution for the ongoing Valley Light building project. We exceeded our $150,000 goal for this next phase in the overall building project. An architect and engineering firm were hired in January to finalize the design. We have partnered with Third Lens Ministries to oversee the management of the entire construction project for Valley Light Home. A container was ordered to securely hold building materials and tools. Security wall funds ($30,000) were sent in December to begin the building process for Valley Light Home. We purchased Valley Light Home, a back-up diesel generator, and had it installed in a newly built secure storage house. We raised funds for the building of 20 high-quality metal bunk beds, including new mattresses and bedding for the children at Hope Beyond Center. We funded a 20'x60' outdoor multi-use pavilion at Hope Beyond Center. Income Generating Projects Building Water Capacity - Saw the completion of a 60ft. steel water tank/tower for the school's clean water distribution center. It ensures increased access to available piped clean water to 5,000+ people in the surrounding community. The added volume of water allows for the growth of additional crops which can be sold to the community to help pay secondary fees for some of the rescue students who don't have sponsors. The increased capacity continues to highlight Lenkai Christian School as a sought-after source of clean water and reliable, nutritious food. Built a secure housing and installed a diesel generator at Lenkai school, ensuring power during rolling blackouts to pump water and for the kids at the school. The new dairy cow project grew thanks to the addition of another dairy cow from funds a local high school raised, ensuring milk for the kids be provided while extra can be sold at the market supporting this critical program. Additional land was purchased at Lenkai School for the expansion of farming activities and food security. Education Projects Educational Sponsorships - Just One Africa is working with our partners to identify the children with the greatest need of support and match them with sponsors who can help with education, medical, housing, and food costs. This creates an opportunity for individuals and families to learn about the world around them and have meaningful avenues to care for others. We have provided educational support for approximately 32 children attending primary and secondary schools in Kenya. We brought high-quality educational materials given by US schools, which were used to help enhance educational programs at Lenkai Christian School. We began a US school partnership in Alabama with a specific focus on support and building connections for our Valley Light partners. We provided three half-day programs in partnership with Kutoa Project, aimed at addressing the trauma-related needs within caregivers and staff at Valley Light Home. We provided a 3-day trauma training retreat for the staff and teachers at Lenkai School in partnership with Kutoa Project, allowing for the growth of more trauma-informed environments.Clean Water Program In 2019 we provided 900 filters impacting over 22,500 people. The filters were distributed in the following areas: Kimana, Loitokitok, Amboseli, Mai Mahui, Nairobi, Kijabe, Naivasha, Rift Valley. Water Filter Follow-up Program - We continued our follow up program in Central and Southern Kenya. Our southern Kenya team travels weekly to do follow up on our filters in the surrounding area collecting essential data and building good community relationships in the areas we serve. We continue to gather excellent feedback on the health the filters are providing. This vital process allows us to analyze the water filter data to monitor our success rates carefully and make any adjustments in the areas in which we serve. We are currently collecting the data using a paper-based system and entering it into spreadsheets. Then it is uploaded and shared in a cloud-based system that is accessible anywhere in the world. The data shows children are missing 96% fewer days in class, and families are spending 92% less money on medical. We have two people in southern Kenya and one person in Central Kenya who are dedicated to doing weekly follow-ups. WASH - Water Filter, Sanitation, and Hygiene training have been provided to over 900+ people in 2019. Recycled Paper Bead Program - This continues to thrive and offers significant support to our Clean Water Program. It provides sustainable income to the women's artisan groups from whom we purchase the beads. The program also provides volunteer opportunities for young people, corporate team building events, and others as they help us to string the beads into bracelets. There are now many established Just One Africa clubs in our local schools. During these meetings, we are able to share the Just One Africa vision, as well as educate young people about the needs and challenges in the areas in which we serve.Vulnerable Children Monthly Support Lenkai Christian School - 2019 Total $24,000 (Rescue Center Support) Sponsorship of 32 children - providing full education, room, and board as well as medical treatments and counselingStaff Full-time US Director of Operations. Full-time US Program Director - new hire in July One part-time person to help manage volunteer projects.Volunteers Administrative - one regular part-time volunteer Schools and Clubs - We worked with over 15 local elementary, middle, and high schools regularly to string our recycled paper beads. This has allowed us to share our story and serve with over 3900 students locally. Events - Just One Africa has participated in dozens of local community events, sharing our story, and selling our products that help fund our Clean Water and Sustainability Programs. Kenya Intern - We had one Masters level intern from William and Mary College work alongside our partners in Southern Kenya for eight weeks. He worked closely with the Rescue Center Manager and our partners in community and government meetings, round tabling discussions, and creating new policies regarding gender equality, FGM, and child marriage. He also participated in our water filter distributions and follow-up program. We had well over 75 volunteers, outside of students (3900), who volunteered hundreds of hours to help Just One Africa with our service projects, product development, educational school programs, fundraisers, during our June trip to Kenya, etc. Just One Africa partners with local leaders to create sustainable solutions for vulnerable children and the clean water crisis. These realities are made possible by Just One Africa donors who have provided many opportunities for our incredible partners in Kenya. They can now move more securely towards providing for the needs of the vulnerable children they care for. Our partners work diligently running schools, an orphanage, and a rescue center. We empower them with viable avenues to build even stronger foundations for the programs they have implemented in their communities, which is what Just One Africa is all about!
NTEE category: International, Foreign Affairs & National Security
Secondary category: Food, Agriculture & Nutrition