Build Africa
| Type | Charity |
|---|---|
| Headquarters |
|
| Area served | Uganda & Kenya |
| Focus(es) | Education and income generation |
| Website | http://www.build-africa.org/ |
Build Africa (formerly International Care & Relief ("ICR"),[1] formerly International Christian Relief[1]) is a British registered International development charity, based in Tunbridge Wells, Kent.
It focuses on working with children and young people in rural parts of Kenya and Uganda, East Africa.
History
Founded as a branch of International Christian Relief, the charity broke off from the American parent body and became independent under the name International Care & Relief, which enabled it to continue to use its recognised acronym, ICR.
Its scope was then theoretically universal, dealing with all age groups and in all parts of the developing world. For operational reasons, the charity increasingly began to focus its work on young people in rural Africa in the early years of the 21st century, eventually leading to a rebrand to its current name.
Scope of work
Build Africa works with rural communities in Kenya and Uganda to help young people escape poverty through education and income generation.
The organisation works on two programmes:
- Build A School has worked in 115 schools benefitting over 150,000 children since 2004. Classrooms, staff rooms, toilet blocks, water supplies and teachers' accommodation are built. Build Africa provides desks and books and teacher training. But most importantly the local community leads each project. School management committees are trained and supported while Build Africa works with parents to ensure that the children receive the best education possible now and in the future.
- Build An Income sets out to create sustainable models for increasing the incomes of the poor, giving young people the chance to save, to work their way out of poverty and to increase the prosperity of their community. In addition, the programme provides them with adequate nutrition and better access to education and healthcare. As of the end of June 2011, 1183 'Village Savings and Loans Association' groups have been funded. 33,772 members have been involved with the VSLA project.[2]
Trustees and patrons
Build Africa has a number of patrons who support the charity's work, including: Dame Diana Rigg, Danny Wallace, Sir Simon Hornby, Tamzin Merchant, James Wilby, Henry Olonga, Shiulie Ghosh, Richard Dowden, Dr. Richard Hoskins, Greg Clark MP, and Mark Florman.
Its UK trustees are Keith Leslie (Chairman of the Board), Tom Lindsay, Rupal Mistry, Susanne Niedrum, Simon Wong, Mike Noyes, Richard Germond, and Katie Spencer-Smith.
References
External links
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