Meet our Third Cohort of Visionary Partners!

On December 15, 2022 we made a $1.8M commitment to 10 new African Visionary Parnters, growing our portfolio from 15 to 25 exceptional African-led organizations. Our third grantmaking cycle was one of many firsts - the first cycle selected from an open application process, the largest and most diverse pool of applications, and our largest commitment to date! Our third cohort of African Visionary Partners are a group of dynamic, innovative, and impactful organizations working across five sectors and seven countries.

Clean Start Solutions

Combatting the systemic incarceration of Kenyan women

Clean Start Solutions has worked with over 4,000 women impacted by Kenya’s criminal justice system. Programs include healing spaces for psycho-social support, entrepreneurship training, and holistic responsive care to children living in prison with their mothers.

The Differentiator

Clean Start serves imprisoned women, formerly imprisoned women, children of imprisoned mothers, girls in the juvenile justice system, their families, and prison wardens.

Why Their Work Matters

90% of imprisoned women in Kenya are single parents and breadwinners, yet justice systems are not adequately gender responsive. Clean Start addresses the critical need for economic opportunities and dignity for women who face tremendous challenges when transitioning back into society.

Impact Africa Network

Empowering youth to participate in Africa’s digital transformation

Impact Africa Network is a nonprofit startup studio on a mission to ensure young talented Africans have a chance at participating in Africa’s digital transformation as creators and owners.

The Differentiator

Impact Africa develops innovation leaders that launch viable early-stage startups. 80 fellows have worked on startup projects with a goal to launch, grow, and create jobs.

Why Their Work Matters

With a growing youth population and workforce across the continent, embracing digital technologies will empower vulnerable communities with access to resources, job opportunities, and services that will improve lives. Impact Africa uses venture scale entrepreneurship and innovation as a platform for effecting structural and cultural change.

Chipembere Community Development Organization

Youth-led innovative interventions for rural communities

Chipembere Community Development Organization (CCDO) Promotes community-led interventions that build the wellbeing of rural women, children and youth through capacity development, advocacy and impact mitigation.

The Differentiator

CCDO designs and implements its programs within existing government delivery and data systems. Their multidimensional and innovative programs focus on poverty reduction, child and adult literacy, food security, and health.

Why Their Work Matters

In Malawi’s rural areas, where 80% of the population is concentrated, women and young people’s entrepreneurial initiatives are not recognized despite their enormous contribution to the country’s economy. CCDO centers these vulnerable groups as leaders and decision makers in the socio-economic transformation of their communities.

Wandikweza

Removing barriers to high-quality healthcare in remote areas

Wandikweza is a community health organization providing access to quality health care to over 325,000 ultra-poor Malawians in rural communities by providing life-saving home-based services, rapid response maternal care, and mobile clinics in remote areas.

The Differentiator

Wandikweza’s multidimensional and participatory approach to health care empowers existing individual and neighborhood assets, equipping community members to build healthy and prosperous livelihoods on their own terms.

Why Their Work Matters

Over 50% of Malawians living in poverty and in remote areas face acute challenges in accessing quality healthcare and leading healthy lives. Wandikweza works to accelerate progress towards Universal Health Coverage in Malawi by removing barriers to healthcare.

Dr. Ameyo Stella Adadevoh Health Trust

Saving lives through education, community engagement, and policy change

DRASA Health Trust (DRASA) works to promote adequate sanitation and hygiene, reduce and prevent the spread of infectious diseases, and strengthen Nigeria’s health security and emergency preparedness.

The Differentiator

DRASA is named to continue the legacy of Dr. Ameyo Stella Adadevoh, the courageous doctor who lost her life while diagnosing and containing the first case of Ebola in Nigeria.

Why Their Work Matters

Communicable diseases like malaria and tuberculosis are a major cause of death in Nigeria’s rural communities. DRASA works to contribute to a health system that is prepared to prevent, detect, and contain health threats through training programs, community education and outreach, policy development, and advocacy.

Women’s Health and Equal Rights Initiative

Advancing the rights and wellbeing of lesbian, bisexual and other sexual minority women

Women’s Health and Equal Rights (WHER) Initiative advances the rights and promotes the wellbeing of lesbian, bisexual and queer (LBQ) women in Nigeria through advocacy, education, empowerment, and research.

The Differentiator

WHER infuses gender education and feminist consciousness-raising into inclusive, collaborative and participatory projects, and works in solidarity with other women organizations to advocate against gender inequality in Nigeria.

Why Their Work Matters

In Nigeria, same-sex relationships are illegal by law, hindering health and social service provision to persons who do not conform to heterosexual norms. WHER enables the inclusion of LBQ women towards a Nigerian society free from all forms of discrimination and violence against women.

Bless a Child Foundation

Increasing access to improved childhood cancer treatment services

Bless a Child Foundation (BCF) provides care and support services to children aged 0-15 years suffering from cancer and related infections by providing care homes located near the main treatment centers.

The Differentiator

BCF targets children from economically disadvantaged families. Multidimensional services like nutrition, remedial education, and counseling remove the financial burden from families so that they can focus on the treatment of their sick child.

Why Their Work Matters

BCF was founded in response to the specific needs of pediatric cancer patients in Uganda, many of whom experienced abandonment of treatment due to poor access to support and resources. BCF is committed to saving the lives of children by giving parents a chance to fight for their health.

COBURWAS International Youth Organisation to Transform Africa

Access to quality education for conflict-affected children

COBURWAS International Youth Organization to Transform Africa (CIYOTA) is a volunteer-based organization established by youth in the Kyangwali refugee settlement in Uganda to empower young people through quality education, community building, and peace building programs peace building programs.

The Differentiator

CIYOTA pays particular attention to refugee children and youth who have suffered from violence and trauma, recognizing the power of functional education as a critical part of healing conflict and creating social cohesion in communities.

Why Their Work Matters

Uganda hosts the fastest growing refugee crisis in the world, and 86% of refugee secondary school students and 25% of primary school children in Uganda remain out-of-school. Over 2,000 conflict-affected children have been educated through CIYOTA’s primary school education program, while 1000 high school students have accessed quality education through scholarships.

Uwezo Youth Empowerment

Transforming young Rwandans with disabilities into agents of change

Uwezo Youth Empowerment (UWEZO) is a nonprofit established to mobilize and build the capacities of children and youth with disabilities to actively participate in society, live independently and enjoy a dignified life.

The Differentiator

In addition to advocacy and outreach programs, UWEZO runs a Center for Independent Living & Assistive Technology that provides skills training and work readiness. Over 250 youth with disabilities have secured permanent employment through their programs.

Why Their Work Matters

In Rwanda, children with disabilities are rarely provided primary health care, rehabilitation, nutrition, and education. UWEZO is Rwanda’s only o rganization focused on the inclusion of children and youth with disabilities in society.

The Community Forest Conservation Network of Tanzania

Caring, managing, and utilizing forests and forest products sustainably

The Community Forest Conservation Network of Tanzania, locally known as Mtandao wa Jamii wa Usimamizi wa Misitu Tanzania (MJUMITA), is a network of 117 community groups involved in participatory forest management in Tanzania.

The Differentiator

The network provides a forum for capacity building, advocacy and communication for communities to sustainably utilize over 1,800,000 hectares of forest and improve their livelihoods. MJUMITA has brought together over 15,000 people from 450 villages

Why Their Work Matters

MJUMITA was established in response to the need for a forum to engage in dialogue with the Forestry and Beekeeping Division. The network has provided support for communities to defend their forest rights where these are being threatened, including in cases where private sector companies have attempted to take community forests.