SAO KENYA

About Share An Opportunity (SAO) Kenya

Share An Opportunity (SAO) Kenya is a registered Non-Governmental and non-profit making organization with over fifteen years of community development experience in Kenya. The organization is a key player in community development initiatives to support alleviation of poverty through Integrated Community Development Program (ICDP).

Vision: Empowerment for change Mission: We exist to build the capacity of the poor and vulnerable communities to foster self-reliance in Kenya Core Values

We are guided by the following values: Commitment, Honesty, Integrity and Excellence.

SAO Kenya Organization

TYPE Base Centres Role Head Office Nairobi Western, Eastern and Central Regions. 20 Program Centres. • Overall management and general issues affecting ICDP. • Resource mobilisation and allocation. • Research, monitoring and evaluation. • Provide technical support. Regional Offices Kisumu Kakamega (Kakamega District), Manyatta (Kisumu District), Nyalenda (Kisumu District), Ahero (Nyando District), Kapsotik (Hamisi District), Hamisi (Hamisi District), Molo (Molo District), Naishi (Molo District). CBOs Region 1. Western Region • Mobilise and sensitize the communities. • Identify needs and local resources. • Plan, design, implement and manage their own projects. • Plan, encourage and support individual wealth creation amongst poor and vulnerable groups. • Collaborate and network internally and externally. • Overall management of ICDP their regions. • Facilitate community development initiatives in the centres under their management. • Support capacity building and advocacy initiatives in centres. • Monitor and review ICDP. 2. Eastern Region Kibwezi Mikongooni (Mutomo District), Kandegya (Mutomo District) Nzavoni (Kibwezi District). Kiboko (Kibwezi District). Central Region Nairobi Ruiru (Thika District), Kahawa West (Kasarani), Luckysummer (Kasarani), Reuben (Embakasi), Mlolongo (Machakos District), Athi River (Machakos District), Wamunyu (Machakos District), Kajiado (Kajiado District). SAO Kenya has well-equipped secretariat in Nairobi with basic office and other facilities. It has modern computers, printers, photocopier machine and adequate office space. Sao Kenya has an up to date constitution, policies and procedures that spell out clear governance, financial and administrative systems. The accounting systems are strict and follow basic accounting procedures. Financial reports including bank reconciliation are prepared on monthly basis. Quarterly financial reports are prepared and presented to the Board followed by externally audited financial reports. SAO Kenya has a simple Organizational Structure with clear operational guidelines of various organs. The organization has a seven-member Board of Directors elected after every three years. The Board meets quarterly to formulate and approve policies and programs, which respond to the needs of its member associations and their membership. Policies laid by the Board are implemented through an effective Secretariat headed by the Country Director. The Secretariat comprised of Head Office, 3 regional offices and 20 community offices country wide with a total of 41 technical and administrative staff. SAO Kenya also works with other experts drawn from various sectors in provision of services. SAO Kenya has a well-established financial management capacity.

Approach for ICDP

Child Centred Community Development (C3D) Model

It calls for a creative shift from present approaches targeting poor and vulnerable groups to manage new threats that are undermining development at the same time make maximum use of the available resources to foster holistic sustainable development. C3D Model is centred on the concept that a child represents a family in order to reach the whole family as a unit and involve the wider community’s participation in positive impacting and sustainable development. C3D Model gives the poor and vulnerable groups, including the wider community in the program areas, a chance to fully participate in identification and implementation of sustainable development programs that benefit the whole community.

Integrated Community Development Program (ICDP)

ICDP applies C3D Model to transform poor and vulnerable groups to improve their wellbeing and change to a desired dignified life. Key in ICDP is integration of components that contribute to transformation of the whole person physically, mentally and spiritually. The goal is to empower the community with knowledge and skills to address the root causes of the major economic, health and social problems they are facing to create a self-esteemed community. The program provides means through which the community will participate in alleviation of poverty from their midst, improve their health, plan and own sustainable development using local available human and physical resources.

Key Areas of ICDP Focus

1. Functional Adult Education

Improve knowledge and skills for poor and vulnerable community members to initiate, support and manage change. Knowledge is key factor in promotion of democratic and good governance practices in the community. Development and promotion of internal and external collaboration and networking structures amongst the Community Based Organizations is a strategy to build ownership and sustainability.

2. Community Micro Credit Schemes

Development of sustainable community-owned micro credit schemes is also a key component. With increased incomes, individuals and group members will nurture small savings and credit schemes to enable them to access credit services. It is envisaged that this will accelerate productivity, wealth creation and growth to achieve long term economic success.

3. HIV/AIDS

Reduction of the spread and impact of HIV/AIDS targets mainly productive groups aged 12 – 49 at the family and community level. HIV/AIDS is catastrophic actor for the poor and vulnerable groups in several ways. Its effects on family health and community economics are so huge that no development can advance without addressing HIV/AIDS within the program.