ActionAid at 40
Campaigning for a New Constitution in Kenya
One Incredible Journey
In 1972, Cecil Jackson Cole an eccentric entrepreneur and philanthropist from Europe set up Christian Youth Appeal; A charity for young people….run by young people… … funded by charity shops… … with sponsors recruited in the religious press. Christian Youth Appeal later changed its name to Action in Distress in 1977 and later ActionAid in 1980 which is called until today.
AAIK started operations in Kenya as a youth focused organization, working with 4K clubs in rural Kenya. In formative years ActionAid Kenya provided direct aid; providing basic services like water, health, education and infrastructure. ActionAid built thousands of schools, dispensaries and roads ensuring that thousands of people had basic needs.
At the turn of the century AAIK begun to ask questions, was this change sustainable? How can real change happen? AAIK realized that real change can only happen with direct involvement of communities. That for lasting change, people must be enabled, empowered, sensitized to own their cause and own the change. Change was inevitable.
At the turn of century things had to change. AAIK started direct partnership with communities; working hand in hand with communities to implement programmes. This gave way to Human Rights Approach to development. There was a realization that when everyone has access to basic rights like water, health, food, water and education it is then possible to build their skills and knowledge and impact lasting changes.
Human Rights Based Approach to Development
Today ActionAid works directly with thousands of women, children and people living in poverty and exclusion. AAIK work is anchored on three pillars;
Empowerment
Solidarity
Campaigning
We help to empower excluded groups by building their communication skills, raising awareness of power and rights, supporting grassroots organizations and strengthening social movements. That way they can have a say in the formal power structures that affect their lives.
We strengthen solidarity by connecting and organising people committed to a common cause committed to a common cause, linking groups in countries, across borders and between social classes to build up the power needed to change policies and practices.
We campaign to shift national and international policies and practices. Our campaigning accelerates policy change and we’re committed to developing innovative approaches that connect our supporters closely to our work.
Blogs
