GAP In Africa
GAP IN AFRICA
GAP sponsors a number of programs in a number of African countries (Kenya, Rwanda Burundi, Congo and Uganda). They are as follows;
1. Tabitha Tailoring School for refugees in Kenya.
This is a tailoring school that was started in the year 2017, with the sole purpose of transforming the livelihood of refugees. We achieve this goal by equipping them (especially widows and the less privileged) with the art of designing, cutting, fitting, and finishing clothes. Later we provide capital to enable them buy their own tailoring machines and start their own businesses independent of the school.
Over the years, we have witnessed massive numbers of students wishing to benefit from this program and a larger number was registered over the last two years. This majorly is from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic that has escalated the need for self-employment after many of the refugees were rendered jobless during the stay-home period that heavily strained the country’s economy.
Many successful students who have benefited from the program are all full of praise and goodwill to the management of GAP. We look forward to expanding the school so that we can accommodate more students at a time as we work towards achieving our goals.
2. Stay Home Food Relief for Africa (SHEFRA) in Kenya.
When the novel Corona Virus struck the globe, many countries, Kenya included, put in place the Stay Home measure where people were required to work from home. Under this measure many people lost their jobs. Refugees were the most affected considering the menial nature of their jobs and many families were on the verge of starvation.
GAP, with the support of local churches came to the rescue by making their mark on humanitarian aid by giving food to the most affected so as to enable them stay home safely and avoid contracting Covid-19. At the same time, those who could afford it are able to get the food form GAP’s food bank at a reasonable price compared to the prevailing market prices.
3. Youth Refugee Empowerment Program (YREP-Kenya)
This program empowers young refugees by creating employment for them according to one’s talent and capacity. Majority of the young men and women under this project run barbershops and beauty salons. Some run other businesses like the Cell phone accessories shop.
“My name is Bahivi Alexis, a Congolese refuge. I came to Kenya in January 2016, with a family of 7 people and with no source of income. I started hawking water melons in a bucket for a period of two years so as to sustain my large family. Later I moved to hawking Vitenges (African Ankara Materials) upcountry and this was not easier either.
Then by chance I came to learn about GAP and my life changed drastically. They gave me the capital that I needed to start up my own business. Now I run my phone accessories shop in the city of Nairobi and my life is far better.”
“My name is Richard Bizimana Mushoshi. I am a Congolese refuge living in Kenya. I am a barber and am so grateful to GAP for their contribution towards the change in my livelihood. They have given me a job and now I have a stable source of income to support my family”. Stated another.
4. Shelter, Education, Health Empowering Women Entrepreneurs
Under this program we train young women entrepreneurs on some basic human survival skills to help them get by their daily financial needs. These skills include cleaning and catering services. Currently, the women do the washing manually but are looking forward to owning their own washing machine as well as an automatic carpet washing machine whereby they can attend to more clients and also advertise they services better. With enough capital, some also wish to open up their own eatery with outside catering services.
We also train refugees the English basic course to help them integrate in the life abroad when they are resettled abroad. We also teach online driving classes for the Australian Road laws.
“My name is Nyabaziga Chantal, a refuge from Congo living in Kenya. I am a wife and a mother. We start by thanking GAP for the training they offered us some months back as a way of improving our livelihoods. It was painful watching my husband struggle to clear all our monthly bills. When an opportunity came around to empower women towards financial independence, I gladly took it. We offer cleaning services in homes as well as catering services during events.” stated one of the women beneficiary from the women empowerment training program.
“We are grateful to GAP for what they are doing for us. It has really helped us in providing for our families. However, we would wish to have a shop from where our customers source our resources as this will help in building trust issues when they know where they can always find us.” Stated another woman
5. Refugee Advocacy and Resettlement Program
GAP has been at the forefront of advocating for refugees, particularly those whose resettlement processes have encountered various irregularities. This advocacy includes identifying systemic issues, providing support and resources, and working closely with relevant authorities to ensure that these individuals receive fair treatment and appropriate assistance during their resettlement journey.
In addition to our advocacy efforts, we have been actively involved in resettling refugees to Australia through the Community Support Program (CSP) visa program. This program allows community organizations, like GAP, to sponsor refugees and facilitate their integration into Australian society. Our team is dedicated to helping these individuals navigate the challenges of relocation, including access to housing, employment opportunities, and social services, to ensure a smooth transition and a hopeful future. Through these initiatives, GAP remains committed to fostering compassion and understanding for refugees, while addressing the complexities of their resettlement.
6. Zero rated loans
GAP lends money to help support low income earners to achieve their dreams. Such loans have supported several businesses among them barber shops and a cell phone accessory shop. Recently, GAP has ventured into the commercial pig farming industry, and constructions are underway to launch the project. Money borrowed is usually returned with zero interest and at the beneficiary’s convenience.
7. SEED Program (Shelter for widows, Education for orphans and refugees, and Empowering communities for holistic Development)
This program is based in all the countries. It supports refugee children separated from their relatives to be reunited in Australia. It strives for integrating refugees socially, culturally, intellectually and economically. Our future is brighter if we support today’s children. Education is the master key to a successful future for the current generation and for generations to come.
GAP has sponsored a number of students to school. One such pupil did so well in her studies that she received presidential recognition of the then president of Kenya His Excellency Mwai Kibaki and the then Education Minister.
8. Special Humanitarian Aid for Minembwe –Internally Displaced Persons (SHAM- IDPS)
GAP supports community farming by providing seed, fertilizers and pesticides to internally displaced people living in Eastern DR Congo. Alongside these farm inputs, we donate food to these communities.
