Our purpose is to empower and foster the idea of creative self-sufficiency

About Sawa Sawa Foundation, Inc.

We have spent nearly a decade visiting and working in Kenya and we have learned a great deal about the people and how to do things as well as how not to do things. We are in a constant dialogue and continue to evolve from this collective experience. Each time we settle into a project in Kenya we bring together the wealth of this growing experience. The learning we carry with us helps us to choose specific projects that will lead to productive and respectful ends for the people we partner with as well as for ourselves. Our goal is to empower and foster the idea of creative self-sufficiency rather than reliance on us to provide what they will continue to need and want. We have provided our hearts and hands to multiple projects over the years at schools, rescue centers, hospitals, AIDS orphanages etc. from small villages to the slums of Nairobi .

In addition to addressing the very basic needs that poverty creates, our work in Kenya is to counteract the effects of colonialism and patriarchy which can easily paralyze a population into passivity waiting for “relief and handouts” to come from elsewhere. The best way we can bypass this obstacle is to uncover what has been lying dormant and hidden in these communities impoverished by these longstanding patterns that surround them and empower them to do it for themselves.

Underlying all of our “practical” projects, such as agricultural renewal for example, is the goal to uncover hidden talents and leadership skills. When we work in partnership with Kenyans these projects bring forth creative ideas that insure ownership and a success that is more likely to lead to more self- motivated action.

  Successful Partnerships in Action

The ideas that currently inform our program have taken many years to evolve and develop through numerous errors, countless corrective actions, humility and critical learning. This ongoing process requires revisiting plans and actions for every project so that it is successful, respectful, long lasting and always challenging our preconceived bias and awareness of the damaging patterns of colonialism left behind. The work we do should be financially accountable, always looking for a “contribution in kind” with each project from the community. There will always be a learning curve to each project so education with much dialogue is essential. Therefore we search for local experts –wise leaders- in partnership to deliver and reinforce important ideas.

Follow up, reinforcement, and accountability are rewards to success. It is important that the community identify with SAWA’s mission. An example of this is from our friend, Joseph Agunda, who is the head of our Agricultural project, utilizes “table banking”. Table banking is a totally Kenyan solution that teaches simple money management, savings, promote fair income distribution, develop strong and supportive social interactions and develop pride in successful accomplishments.