EUR 50
Crowdified!
This project has been successfully funded on 15. September 2023. Thanks to the 45 boosters that made it possible!
Standing on own feet
Financial independence for the Ujuzi Vocational School Kenya
Martina Klappenbach
Frankfurt am Main, DE
Project Overview
With a construction project into financial independence! Since its founding in 2017, the Ujuzi Yetu Technical Institute has already helped more than 700 Kenyans to escape a future without prospects by learning skilled trades and thus being able to provide for their livelihood away from crime. However, these results have so far only been possible through donations - we would like to change that with your help!
3.435 EUR
Crowdified
hurray!
45
Boosters
supported project
Thanks to the state-approved vocational training at the Ujuzi Technical Institute, more than 700 lives of Kenyans have already been changed for the better. However, there are many more interested parties, but unfortunately they currently have to be turned away due to limited capacities (number of teachers, size of the premises). Since not every trainee can pay the school fees from their own funds, the number of current students currently does not cover running costs such as salaries, rent, electricity and water supply. In addition, the rent and supply are subject to the arbitrariness of the landowner. With the planned construction project, we want to turn all these levers to help Ujuzi become independent:
Reduction of regular fixed costs:
1. Moving to an own plot (see picture) and building a debt building
2. Erection of solar panels or lithium batteries instead of solar batteries (see picture) and your own water supply system
Increase in revenue:
3. Equipment in the school building with
a) more training centres for additional attractive occupations;
b) overnight accommodation for trainees from a wider area
c) Sales premises for handicrafts produced or offer of services such as haircuts or internet café
Reduction of regular fixed costs:
1. Moving to an own plot (see picture) and building a debt building
2. Erection of solar panels or lithium batteries instead of solar batteries (see picture) and your own water supply system
Increase in revenue:
3. Equipment in the school building with
a) more training centres for additional attractive occupations;
b) overnight accommodation for trainees from a wider area
c) Sales premises for handicrafts produced or offer of services such as haircuts or internet café
The Ujuzi Yetu Technical Institute is located in the coastal town of Ukunda in Kenya. While the paradisiacal beaches enchant many tourists, the life of many residents looks anything but paradisiacal. The city is divided into two parts, one half is well developed due to tourism and has many amenities, the other half, where a large part of the population lives, is the exact opposite. The main source of income here is fishing and the sale of fruit. Since this does not bring enough income for everyone, many are forced to go into crime and earn a living through drugs or prostitution. Of course, schooling would open up further perspectives, but the urgency to earn money leads in most cases to premature abandonment. To break this vicious circle, Oscar founded Ujuzi together with his wife and supporters from Germany. In the pictures you can see Oscar and his wife Connie.
In order to ensure that the trainees can find employment or successfully become self-employed after their successful completion, Oscar adapts the apprenticeships offered every year to the needs of the market and the interests of Kenyans. Of course, this also requires partial renovations of the school, e.g. to be able to offer equipment for hairdressing services or IT services. Not only does Ujuzi differ from others in this flexibility and diversity, but it is also state-accredited and registered through the Technical and Vocational Education Training Authority (TVETA) in Kenya. His reputation makes him known beyond the city. In addition, Ujuzi offers a kindergarten, as many Kenyan women do not have the opportunity to place their children in care while they are participating in education. The success speaks for itself: many of the 787 trainees were able to secure regular income in his/her professional field after successful completion.
As head of the Ujuzi Institute, Oscar not only puts all his passion into the education of young Kenyans, but also all his savings. Together with his wife Connie and supporters from Germany, he decided in 2017 that he would like to contribute to the positive change of his hometown of Ukunda. While they initially carried out all the activities themselves, the success of their work has now also had an impact on the growth of their workforce. Currently, Ujuzi employs 5 trainers, all of whom are former students of Oscar, as well as 5 employees who take care of the safety, administration, cleaning and catering of the trainees. Childcare is provided by 2 caregivers, one of whom is Connie herself.
Currently, the Ujuzi building is located on an area of 0.2 hectares. In order to realize the planned expansion, the new site will cover 2.5 hectares. A suitable piece of land has already been found and already belongs to 20% Oscar and 80% to one of our German supporters.
5 construction projects would then be realized on this site:
- A: The workshops and classrooms
- B: The hostel for trainees from the wider area
- C: The Administration
- D: The water reservoir and the solar panels
- E: The wall and security fences around the building
With your financial support and together with Wolfgang, Oscar will buy the necessary materials and build the house with the help of local construction workers. His plan is that he will need a total of about 20 weeks. Wolfgang will personally take care of the entire financial process. It is ensured that all donations are used 100% for the project. We will be happy to keep you up to date on the progress of the house construction and all the latest information.
5 construction projects would then be realized on this site:
- A: The workshops and classrooms
- B: The hostel for trainees from the wider area
- C: The Administration
- D: The water reservoir and the solar panels
- E: The wall and security fences around the building
With your financial support and together with Wolfgang, Oscar will buy the necessary materials and build the house with the help of local construction workers. His plan is that he will need a total of about 20 weeks. Wolfgang will personally take care of the entire financial process. It is ensured that all donations are used 100% for the project. We will be happy to keep you up to date on the progress of the house construction and all the latest information.
Martina Klappenbach
Frankfurt am Main, DE
Coach und Change facilitator
Coach and Change Facilitator
In my role as an employee of Deutsche Telekom, I have already accompanied many executives and groups in their change. I advised start-ups and founders and saw the sparkle in their eyes. When I met Oscar and his wife Connie in Kenya in 2017, I was immediately thrilled by their commitment, their big heart and their truly fantastic, sustainable idea of providing a livelihood for young people in Kenya. Since then, I have been supporting Oscar and Connie and hope that we can now take the most important step together: independence from further donations from Germany.
Wolfgang - a good friend of mine - will be there. He has a lot of experience in building houses and development aid in general. So there is only one thing left: Help everyone. Many people will be grateful to you.
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