Sustainable International Development

The WE Villages five-pillar development model is an effective, sustainable and cost-effective approach that works to break the cycle of poverty in rural, marginalized communities worldwide. Research has proven that our programs have a lasting impact on the communities in which we work. Below are some highlights of our successes.

EDUCATION
EDUCATION
EDUCATION

Since the creation of our education pillar, more than 1,500 schools and schoolrooms have been built in WE Charity partner communities, giving 200,000 children the opportunity to get an education and transform not only their lives but also those of their communities.

WATER
WATER
WATER

Thanks to our water pillar, one million people now have improved access to clean water, health care and sanitation. This has empowered them to lift themselves and their families out of poverty and build healthier, more productive communities.

HEALTH
HEALTH
HEALTH

In Kenya, over 130,000 patients have been served at Baraka Hospital and Kishon Health Centre since they opened in 2010 and 2013, respectively.

 OPPORTUNITY
 OPPORTUNITY
OPPORTUNITY

More than 30,000 women have been provided with tools to gain economic self-sufficiency, allowing them to provide for their families and directly addressing the root cause of child labor.

 FOOD
 FOOD
FOOD

Under the food pillar, WE Villages has enabled farmers and families in our partnering communities to produce more than 15 million meals to fuel their communities

Highlights and successes

Kisaruni Group of Schools, Milimani Campus, Kenya

 Children dancing
 Children dancing
 Students studying science
 Students studying science

Investing in education is key to breaking the cycle of poverty: but so many students don’t have the chance to study beyond primary school. That’s why WE Charity opened the Kisaruni Group of Schools, which now has two main secondary school campuses: Milimani and Ngulot. Through donor-funded scholarships and the Kisaruni Long-Term Sustainability Fund, students like Salome Maroko and Marcella Sang are leading the way as trailblazers in their communities. Over 230 girls have graduated from the Kisaruni Group of Schools, many the first in their family to graduate secondary school, and are now pursuing a university education and their dreams.

In 2015, Salome, a Kisaruni graduate, was the first girl in Narok County’s history to earn an overall A grade on her exams. The KCSE exam is taken by all students graduating from secondary school in Kenya, and it determines students’ eligibility for post-secondary education. That year, when Kenya’s national exam results were released, Kisaruni Girls Secondary School ranked number one out of all 112 schools in Narok County.

Water for Life, India

 A boy drinking water from a tap
 A boy drinking water from a tap
 A lady carrying water in a bowl above her head
 A lady carrying water in a bowl above her head

Ramli lives in the remote hilltop community of Udawad with her husband, sons and daughters-in-law. For years, she would begin each day by fetching water from a well near her village. She and her daughters-in-law repeated this journey up to 10 times a day, balancing water in earthen pots on an uneven, hilly path. The journey was difficult, but Ramli’s family needed the water for cooking, cleaning and drinking. In the summer heat, the shallow well would sometimes run dry, and the women had to walk for hours until they found another source of water. This was often contaminated and the family would get sick.

Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies, Kenya

 A mother and child
 A mother and child
 A doctor smiling in his office
 A doctor smiling in his office

Maternal and child mortality devastates households and communities as a whole, negatively affecting economic growth, livelihood productivity, health outcomes and opportunities for education. The services provided by Baraka Hospital’s maternity wing directly impact the rate of maternal and child mortality by providing preventative care, and equipping mothers with both the necessary health services and the knowledge to raise healthy children. In 2015, Baraka Maternity Wing was voted the best maternity wing offering comprehensive, quality professional services to mothers in Narok County, by the Narok County District Quality Assurance Team. The impact this wing has had on the lives of community members has been extraordinary.

Transforming the Future through Opportunity, Ecuador

 A female student in class
 A female student in class
 A young girl weaving a garment
 A young girl weaving a garment

In 2017 the eight girls’ groups across seven partner communities in Ecuador had an exciting year. Twenty-three workshops were held, covering over 30 financial literacy and entrepreneurship topics. Loans were pooled and withdrawn by the girls as springboards for their own entrepreneurial endeavors. The first rounds of loans were paid back with interest and on schedule!

Food: Growing Strong in Narok County, Kenya

 A young student holding vegetables
 A young student holding vegetables
 A young lady holding produce
 A young lady holding produce

In an area with changing weather patterns and increased vulnerability to shifting global food prices, community members’ ability to adapt is critical for food security. With greater agricultural training and access to food produced at Oleleshwa Farms, the community has a consistent source for healthy and diversified foods. Support for our lunch program also means better nutrition for students, which translates to improved attendance rates and better concentration and productivity in class.