Empower Head of Households
Under Rise Above Poverty, we work with and empower the heads of households. This promotes dignity and restores their place as provider.
Not only does this method keep the family balanced, it is more cost-effective. Instead of sponsoring each member of the family for every year of schooling, we make sure the head of household has a sustainable income so that they are able to fully provide for their children - including feeding them and sending them to school.
Learn more about this approach here.
Don’t Give Hand Outs
Billions and billions of dollars in aid has been given to the continent of Africa. Where is the impact of this money? You won’t find much. Only people waiting around for their next food ration, animal, or other hand-out.
As an organization, we “teach a man to fish” by taking our beneficiaries through training. Graduates start a business of their choice through their own savings and hard work.
See the businesses in action here.
Wrap Around Approach
At Ignite Change, we focus on all types of poverty faced by our beneficiaries - material, social, AND spiritual poverty. All our beneficiaries spend time learning the truth about Jesus - that He loves them and cares for them. And that they can use the gifts, talents, and assets given by God to overcome poverty and provide for their families.
Under Rise Above poverty, group members become like a family, they care and look out for each other. Our staff visits members at their homes and offer individual and family counselling as needed. We also monitor the businesses members start and provide coaching.
At our Vocational Training Institute, students learn english, math, computer skills, entrepreneurship, and life skills alongside their trade. Once students graduate, they are fully ready to gain employment or start their own business.
Learn more about our values.
Personally Working to be Self-Sufficient
Not only are we empowering families to be self-sufficient, we as an organization are working to be self-sufficient.
Our Vocational Training Institute is run at a high quality where we are able to attract paying students alongside students on scholarship.
Each skills course also has related income-generating activities:
Motorcycle Mechanics - students operate a garage where they can gain real-world experience working on customer’s motorcycles. We make money through selling spare parts, labor, and washing bikes.
Tailoring - items that the students make for learning are sold at a minimal cost. We also sell fabrics and other materials for making garments. Students make the uniforms for our own student body and staff in addition to other schools.
Building - our classes get contracts to do construction work for others in the community.
Carpentry - furniture and other wood pieces made by our students are displayed and other are able to order custom pieces.
All of these efforts help to offset ongoing expenses and keep tuition low.
Read more about what’s next here.