A Holistic Approach to Programming in Kenya

Over the last 10 years, The MasterCard Foundation has reached more than a million people through its holistic programming in Kenya. Through partnerships with organizations such as Equity Group Foundation, CAP-Youth Empowerment Institute and One Acre Fund, we are providing access to education and skills training toward employment and entrepreneurship, as well as access to quality, relevant agricultural finance.

Wings to Fly, our secondary education and leadership development program with Equity Group Foundation, was one of the Foundation’s first major partnerships in Kenya. Since 2009, the program has provided comprehensive scholarships to academically talented Kenyan youth from economically disadvantaged communities. Today, it is the largest program of its kind in Kenya.

Allan, a Wings to Fly Scholar, values the education he has received through the program.

“The main problem I see in my community is pupils or young people dropping out of school due to a lack of school fees. Through the mentorship and leadership program, I have learned how to be a leader and one day I hope to help other students stay in school,” Allan says. “That’s important because education builds up a firm foundation for people. I want to help them gain the knowledge that could help them achieve their dreams.”

Education is one of the best ways to invest in youth. But for those who have dropped out or simply require an opportunity to develop the skills they need to find work, market-led training programs can provide life and job-readiness skills, financial education and small business development training towards education or entrepreneurship.

Our partnership with CAP-Youth Empowerment Institute (CAP-YEI) in Kenya provides just that. Since 2012, almost 9,000 young people have graduated from the CAP-YEI program and, through its second phase, the program will reach another 23,000 youth.

Maryann Gatune, a graduate of the hospitality program at Buruburu Centre in Nairobi, now works at an electronics store and runs her own business making and selling mats.

“It is my dream to inspire someone who is coming up after me,” Maryann says. “It is good for me as a lady to inspire young women.”

Matayo Mayende Wanjiri has learned innovative farming techniques through our partnership with One Acre Fund.

Life in Kenya is predominantly rural, with agriculture accounting for the majority of employment.

Through our partnership with One Acre Fund, we assist 180,000 smallholder farmers to access financial services and training to help them improve farming techniques and ultimately double their crop yield per acre. Through One Acre Fund’s innovative model, low-income families are able to grow more food for consumption and sale in local markets.

One of these farmers is Matayo Mayende Wanjiri. Matayo received training from One Acre Fund’s program where he has learned innovative fertilizer application techniques for his maize fields.

The Foundation is taking a comprehensive approach to programming in Kenya so that Scholars, smallholder farmers and young workers have more opportunities to better their lives and lift themselves and their families out of poverty.