Special Kenyan Project

Women for Justice in Africa (www.womenforjustice.org) is a Kenyan based Non-Governmental Organization working to advance women rights through education and training, capacity building for community based women rights actors, advocacy and lobbying. In the course of their work, they have found out that women who do not believe in themselves are reluctant to take action for justice when their rights are violated, even if they know what to do or where to go.

Leader Development Group (www.leaderdevelopmentgroup.com) is a company within the United States committed to developing new authentic leaders in the world. The programs emphasize authentic leadership skills, new ways of thinking, new possibilities for creating change, being accountable and leading from personal core values in a difficult and changing world. In January 2010, WOJA and LDA joined forces to create a program of “Empowerment and Self-Leadership” for women living in the slum called Kibera located within Nairobi, Kenya.

In April of 2010, 70 women were chosen to come to the initial training sessions. To get a sense of what happened, please copy and paste the following link into your browser and watch a short 10 minute video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqjNsBrUcqw

The initial program was funded by individual donations from all over the world. The demand to get into that initial program was high and though 70 women were eventually chosen, there were many more who wanted to participate but found no space available for them. In order to meet this excess demand, Women for Justice in Africa, Leader Development Group and the entire team have committed to continue and expand the initial program for one year.

We know we cannot do this alone; that it is only by a combined effort by many that a great difference can be made in the world. So it is with respect and humility that we once again turn to you and ask your help in creating additional Empowerment and Self-Leadership sessions for those women in Kibera wishing to participate.

The program costs are simple: $75 ($15 per person per day) to sponsor a participant for the entire 5-day leadership program. This provides the participant a lunch, morning and afternoon tea, and a transportation allowance as most are unable to pay for transportation to the training site. This money also helps give those who have a small business a small stipend to offset the income they would lose by attending the 5-day program.

The team’s goal is to raise 50,000 (USD) in order to meet the demand for the program. Of course, even with $2,000 we can start the first group of women so your donation today will have an immediate impact!

Please know that a donation of any amount will be received with gratitude!

LDG is not a non-profit as of yet so any donations made to this site may not be tax deductable.

For the entire team of paralegals, facilitators, interpreters, cooks, Community Bases Organization Leaders, volunteers and staff associated with Women for Justice in Africa and Leader Development Group we wish to thank you for your kind consideration of this project. And on behalf of the women and youth who will participate in the Empowerment and Self-Leadership programs in the future, a heartfelt “Thank You!” along with great respect, appreciation, and love.

David Bernard-Stevens
President, Leader Development Group

Mary Okioma
Executive Director, Women for Justice in Africa