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PARTNERSHIP
Our Partners
In the bush of Eastern Kenya, is an indigenous pastoralist village of strong, resilient, belly-laughing Tharkakan women. Here in Co-founder Roberts home village is a group of 24 vibrant women who fittingly have named themselves the "Makenna (joy) Women's group". The Makenna Women's Group has been meeting every Thursday Morning at 6am on this rock face together for years to sing, table bank, and start small businesses to sustain themselves and their children. Each participant brings .50 cents, they pool their money, they laugh and cry. They do life together. These women are our partners, sisters, and friends. They are incredible dancers, singers, farmers, natural builders, basket weavers, mothers, and entrepreneurs. These women are bursting with an abundance of cultural wisdom & tradition to share. Most of our Amwe efforts focus on exchange and support with this vibrant group. We have much to learn from one another. ​​​Amwe's primary partnership is with this sister community in Tharaka is registered Naledi Initiatives is a Nonprofit Organization (register CBO in Kenya) founded by Robert Murithi in collaboration with the Institute of Emerging Visionaries.​​​
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How we exchange (Sustainability)
The central goal of Amwe is to empower folks with culturally relevant life skills (through providing trainings) as a sustainable way to generate personal income to pay for their livelihoods and NHIF health care fees. We believe that no person is helpless or hopeless, there are, however, widespread systems of oppression that leave people feeling helpless (Dr. Karambu). With access to the right tools, we find that human beings are incredibly resilient. We aim to decolonize the nature of NGO work by striving to create a partnership built on cross-cultural symbiosis. Our baseline belief is that humans have a lot to learn from one another. We see opportunities for both our partners in California and Kenya to powerfully benefit from our partnership. We see monetary, cultural skills, community wisdom, resilience, and joy as essential & treasured resources that can exchanged between cultures. We understand that individuals are the experts of their own life & culture. Thus, we work to make our agendas from a place of deep listening. We are doing the messy & imperfect work of exploring what can be created when we all bring the abundance of our community to the table. ​​​​
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How we Send Funds (Efficacy)
We send the money directly to the certified CBO Naledi non-profit business account, and we employ responsible Tharakan community members to assist the on project implementation check up on their progress. Amwe Ca team members personally check up on project progress and efficacy during our regular visits to Kenya. Through the power of strategy and long standing trusting community partnership you can be assured that your contribution goes into the hands and hearts it should.
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A collection of small glimpses into the craftsmanship, skill, dedication and joy alive in the daily lives of our partners.
The Makenna women's group has requested community from California come so they can teach their way living, gathering and dancing.
