What's in our February 2020 issue: Notes from the Field- Maendeleo Pamoja; Collaboration, Empowerment and Sustainability; Local Author/Professor Brings Wealth of Knowledge to P4P; “People, People Who Need People…” Funny Girl is Coming to the Civic; Something Ventured, Much Gained.

The pitcher cries for water to carry and a person for work that is real. ~ Marge Piercy, American poet, novelist and social activist

Notes from the Field 

By Nereah Obura, P4P Kenya Program Coordinator

Dear P4P Friend,

Maendeleo pamoja means “together for development” in Swahili, and two groups in the Kopanga region have found success through hard work and cooperation in their separate economic endeavors.

With a P4P grant of KSH 30,000 ($300 US), the  Maembe Tatu Boda Boda group purchased 93 cases of water. They sell the bottled water to consumers for KSH 30 (30 cents) per bottle and have found that funerals and parties are moneymaking places to sell. Using the profits gained from initial sales, the Maembe Tatu Boda Boda group has saved over 70,000 KSH ($700 US) to date. 

We hope that the small steps the group is making will enable them to lift their livelihood as well as that of other community members. Their first community outreach paid school fees for one needy boy, Isaac Okinyi.

The second maendeleo pamoja group,  Maembe Tatu Baraka Women, decided to start a brickmaking business. Their P4P grant of KSH 30,000 enabled them to lease land, pay labor fees, purchase firewood and make 10,000 bricks. Two hundred were broken initially but the remaining bricks were sold, resulting in a profit of KSH 9,200 ($92 US). This profit has enabled them to donate rice to P4P’s Power of Milk nutrition program and pay school fees for a disadvantaged student, Immelda.

Once the dry season arrives, they will be making more bricks and continue to grow this business.

Collaboration, Empowerment and Sustainability
Economic Development Committee Report

Partnering for Progress is passionately committed to our mission and the values of collaboration, empowerment and sustainability.

We work first to understand the needs of the communities we serve through communication with local individuals and organizations. By collaborating with educators, leaders and health care workers and designing culturally relevant, locally supported projects, P4P is a catalyst for change and a tool to break the long-standing cycle of poverty and disease.

The Economic Development Committee has been working on a major strategic initiative – creating a sustainable income-generating business in Kopanga/Giribe. Our plan is for this business to support a majority of P4P’s ongoing programs such as education scholarships and the Power of Milk (nutrition program for malnourished infants). 

This is not a unique approach. Many non-profit groups have turned to for-profit enterprises to support their mission. Examples include Goodwill Thrift Stores which support job training and Habitat for Humanity’s Builders Surplus Store. 

We hired a consultant in Kenya, and he has researched viable options and created business plans. The current finalists are a poultry farm, a beekeeping business and a dairy (cattle) farm. The Economic Development Committee is exploring land ownership, organizational structure and potential profits from each enterprise before making a recommendation to the Board of Directors. 
 

The people of Kopanga/Giribe truly need a catalyst for change, and P4P’s longstanding values drive this effort. There will be investment costs and risk/reward evaluations. If you have expertise to share, please contact our new Economic Development Chair, Professor Megan Hershey at mhershey@whitworth.edu. Expect to see exciting news in the coming months about this strategy. 

Local Author/Whitworth Professor Brings Wealth of Knowledge to P4P

By Renée Sande, Communications Volunteer

“People, People Who Need People…”

Funny Girl is Coming to the Civic

Recognize that snippet from “People,” a song made famous by Barbra Streisand? It goes on: “People who need people, are the luckiest people in the world.”

This haunting tune is one of the best-known numbers from the hit Broadway musical and motion picture, Funny Girl. 

On June 3, P4P is partnering with the Spokane Civic Theatre for a lively fundraising performance of Funny Girl. The bittersweet musical is loosely based on the life and career of Broadway performer, film star and comedian Fanny Brice who rose to stardom in the 1920’s.  

Tickets are $35 for adults and $30 for students and can be purchased from a P4P Board member, by calling 509-720-8408 or online at http://partneringforprogress.org/civic-theatre-benefit/.  Doors open at 6:15 PM. Join us for coffee, snacks, a raffle and an entertaining night of theater.

Proceeds support our mission of providing access to health care, education, clean water and economic development to the residents of Kopanga, Kenya.  After all, “People who need people, are the luckiest people in the world.”

Something Ventured, Much Gained.
It’s Your Choice

Are you a Thrivent Financial member? The Thrivent Choice® program gives members an opportunity to direct Choice Dollars to a Thrivent charitable grantee. P4P can be a grant recipient of these funds if you take these steps. (The donation dollars come from Thrivent, not your personal account.)  

First, you must be a Thrivent Financial benefit member. Next, set up a member account (if you have not already done so) by going to www.thrivent.com. Just fill in your member ID (it’s printed on your membership card, on your statement and on your contract/policy) and follow the prompts to establish an online account.

Then go to: https://www.thrivent.com/making-a-difference/living-generously/thrivent-choice/

You’ll see a Choice Dollars amount (it’s been calculated according to what insurance or financial activity you have with Thrivent) and you just click to make the donation. We hope you’ll register and direct those Choice Dollars to Partnering for Progress.