CENTRE FOR AFRICA VOLUNTEERS
PROFILE
2023
Empowering the Future: Championing Youth
and Women for a Transformative Tomorrow
CAV Profile 2023 Centre for Africa Votunteers
2
SUPPORTING
THE YOUTH IS
SUPPORTING
THE FUTURE.
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elit. Nam dapibus odio non est lacinia aliquet.
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Centre for Africa Votunteers CAV Profile 2023
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CONTENTS
HISTORY & PHILOSOPHY 4
MESSAGE FROM THE THE BOARD CHAIR 6
OUR UNIQUE APPROACH 8
OUR PROJECTS 10
OUR TEAM 19
Through our dedicated initiatives and unwavering commitment, we are unleashing the potential of youth
and women, igniting their entrepreneurial spirit, and driving sustainable development across the nation. Join
us on this remarkable journey as we celebrate and support the remarkable projects that are fueling Kenya’s
transformation and empowering the future. Together, we can create a thriving ecosystem where youth and
women thrive, dreams flourish, and extraordinary possibilities become reality.
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HISTORY & PHILOSOPHY
The Kenyan population, particularly the youth and women, are crucial for the nation’s long-term development.
Involving them in sustainable initiatives related to economic, environmental, and socio-cultural aspects is vital.
By tapping into their potential and providing opportunities, Kenya can create a more inclusive and prosperous
future.
The Young people/Women in Kenya, like everywhere
in the world, have numerous challenges, concerns
and expectations. As such the mainstreaming
strategy should not be left solely in the hands of the
government but, other several initiatives should
be marshalled to work hand in hand in supporting
government efforts where youth affairs will be
addressed at all levels locally, regionally and globally.
It is under this background that CAV was founded. The
Center for Africa Volunteers (CAV) has cultivated a
network of veteran policy influencers, legislators, and
intelligence informants in supporting the development
of actionable community support projects, targeting youth and women activities in
different regional economic blocks in the country. The audience for our work and
partnerships goes beyond traditional government actors and includes regional
academic institutions, commercial actors, and non-governmental policy influencers.
VISION MISSION
To perpetuate peace and prosperity in Africa To ensure that the youth and women in Africa
through youth and women volunteerism have the life skills and volunteering spirit
education and economic development. necessary to harness socio-political and economic
opportunities and have sustainable sources of
income.
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OUR VALUES
PASSION RELIABILITY INTEGRITY
It’s disappointing when We maintain ethical
Passion can be infectious, so someone fails to fulfill their standards with integrity
it’s an important trait that all commitment after relying on and trust, upholding moral
great volunteers must share. them. principles even in private
settings.
TEAM WORK GROWTH ENRICHMENT
Teamwork fosters growth, By volunteering with an There’s nothing more
satisfaction, and stress ongoing program, volunteers fulfilling than realizing
reduction, leading to see growth and change. how much of an impact a
improved outcomes. volunteer can make.
LEARNING FRIENDSHIP INNOVATION
We equip our team with skills Our program enables We support entrepreneurs in
for individual and collective personal growth, self- enhancing products/services
well-being. discovery, and embracing and thinking innovatively for
life’s full experiences. business optimization.
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MESSAGE FROM BOARD CHAIR
At CAV we strongly believe that the youth and women of our country are youth and women entrepreneurship and address unemployment as
vital catalysts for driving positive change. It is our sincere conviction that fundamental pillars in any Youth Agenda. We recognize the urgent
they should assume leadership roles in implementing national policies and need to empower and involve youth and women in the planning, design,
devising innovative solutions to address the challenges they encounter. implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of policies and actions
Unfortunately, they continue to face disproportionate impacts from that directly affect their lives. This requires providing them with the
various global challenges, such as limited access to quality education, necessary political will and support to actively participate and contribute
persistent gender inequality, high levels of unemployment, and the meaningfully to decision-making processes.
adverse effects of pandemics.
As leaders, we acknowledge the importance of collaborating with
Furthermore, as a continent, we are confronted with the pressing issue various stakeholders to harness the innovative spirit and immense
of massive youth and women unemployment and underemployment. potential of youth and women in tackling their unique challenges. Our
Therefore, it becomes imperative to incorporate strategies that prioritize objective is to mainstream their concerns and aspirations within the
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national development agenda. By involving youth and women in every facet enhance collaboration among these ambitious and determined individuals.
of policy implementation, we aim to elevate their participation in social, Collaboration of youth and women entrepreneurs in Kenya is a catalyst
economic, cultural, and political spheres of life, ensuring their voices are for driving innovation, fostering economic growth, and transforming
heard and their contributions valued. We firmly believe that by embracing communities. By harnessing the collective potential of these enterprising
their active engagement, we can foster a more inclusive society and individuals and providing them with the necessary support and platforms
foster sustainable development for all. In Kenya, the dynamic landscape for collaboration, Kenya is poised to become a global hub of entrepreneurial
of entrepreneurship is being revolutionized by the unstoppable force of excellence, where the energy, ingenuity, and passion of youth and women
youth and women entrepreneurs. Recognizing their immense potential as reshape the nation’s future.
key drivers of innovation and economic growth, efforts are underway to
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The leading
youth and
women
empowering
partner in Africa .
OUR UNIQUE APPROACH
We work targets the existing youth/women The organization within these blocks present the
organizations within the regional economic blocks biggest opportunity for us together with partner
in Kenya. The regional economic blocs in Kenya were organizations to jumpstart the regional youth and
formed with the sole aim of maximizing utilization women socio-economic dialogue which are basically
of existing opportunities and advantages that come economic empowerment forums seeking positive
from the scale of development. The blocks unlock partnership with the Counties to be able to facilitate
regional economic development in productive empowerment projects that are in line with both the
sectors such as agriculture, tourism, trade and counties priorities and the national development
industrialization in the Counties that form them. agenda. One of the challenges (CAV) has faced over
Coordinated policies and strategies will eventually the past years is how to ensure that young people/
spur economic growth, the regional blocs are women are passionately pursuing their talents in
expected to revamp collapsed regional industries causing economic transformation in Kenya not to be
in the sugar, cotton, fish and general horticultural politically manipulated and negatively participate
sectors within the counties, rehabilitation of the poor in mainstream leadership and governance of the
state of roads so as to promote trade and business country.
travel and maximum utilization of infrastructures CAV kicked off NEDI program by organizing a two day
like Airport to spur trade and investment potential engagement and dialogue meeting with the county
as it serves the entire bloc among others. executive/ministers/, as well as County Assembly
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Members, to agree on how to engage on the best avenues Youth and women empowerment and participation is a
to sensitize the youth and marshal the voices of young dynamic cycle. Overall, it is anticipated that the outcome
men and women in the various counties; their different of youth empowerment and participation is strong
economic needs, different ways of organizing themselves contribution to national prosperity, economic competition
and particular interest on economic empowerment, and reduced unemployment. When empowered through
access to numerous county/national resources as well such secretariat, young people can contribute greatly
as opportunities presented by the private sector and towards good governance, democracy with a passionate
international development partners. desire to be catalyst for national economic growth and
cohesion that CAV seeks to establish in the counties
Mandating CAV to spearhead training workshops across Kenya.
and elaborate youth economic empowerment and In January 2022, youth and women training workshops
participation to the autonomous county governments’ began with a pilot in Kakamega Masinde Muliro University,
departments vested with youth development is the collaborating with Kakamega County Government,
quintessential force for causing such transformation. Women in Business (WIB), and Global Peace Foundation
Youth and women need a branded platform from where (GPF). The pilot engaged 420 youth leaders and 280
they can positively participate, take appropriate action, women leaders, totaling 700 participants. Following the
and inspire belief that will have a catalytic impact all over workshop, CAV, along with county officials, established
the country through youth-led economic community agri-business value chains in fish, horticulture, cotton,
action projects commonly referred to as CAPs. poultry, and cattle rearing. Demonstration farms were set
up in 4 counties, benefiting around 150 youth and women
groups/individuals across 250 acres of land.
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OUR PROJECTS
With a focus on four key program areas,
CAV aims to uplift and empower local
communities, contributing to their long-term
development and well-being. Through its
initiatives, CAV envisions a society where
CAV has developed a network of seasoned policy
Through its comprehensive influencers, lawmakers, and intelligence sources to
approach to community assist in the establishment of practical community
assistance initiatives aimed at youth and women
support, CAV aims to activities in the country’s several regional economic
blocks. Our activities go out to regional academic
ultimately improving
institutions, business players, and non-governmental
communities in Kenya. policy influencers in addition to government actors.
individuals have access to employment opportunities, institutes to facilitate skill development programs,
sustainable food systems, improved community entrepreneurship training, and job placement
health support, and effective networking platforms services. By connecting job seekers with employment
for collaboration and growth. CAV recognizes opportunities and providing support for small-
the importance of addressing unemployment as a scale enterprises, CAV seeks to create sustainable
means to foster economic growth and individual livelihoods and foster economic independence within
empowerment. The organization collaborates with communities.
local businesses, government agencies, and training
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OUR PROJECTS FOCUS ON THESE FOUR AREAS
EMPLOYMENT CREATION FOOD SYSTEMS - COMMUNITY HEALTH NETWORKING
- CAV, BAF, and TAC have NEDI, focuses on SUPPORT In our Networking
organized NEDI, an economic agricultural value chains in We integrate professional program, we connect
empowerment platform western Kenya to address health support to prevent youth and women
to mainstream youth and global crop demand, diseases, promote healthy entrepreneurs globally,
women in government promoting milk, cotton, living, and address facilitating information
agendas, fostering their socio- horticulture, and fish community health through sharing and collaboration.
economic empowerment and farming. neighborhood structures
participation post-COVID-19. and policy decisions.
Our youth and women
economic support
initiatives have a profound
impact on our community.
By empowering the youth and women with
access to financial resources, mentorship,
and training programs, we are unlocking
their potential and enabling them to become
catalysts for economic growth. As they establish
and grow their businesses, they not only create
employment opportunities for themselves but
also for others in the community.
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1. EMPLOYMENT CREATION- (National Enterprise
Development Initiative (NEDI))
CAV, in collaboration with the Betty Adera Foundation NEDI is one of the keystones that crystallize the
(BAF) and The Aquaculture Consortium (TAC), has plan that CAV and BAF seek to implement in order
established the ‚National Enterprise Development to realize the need to sustainably consolidate Youth
Initiative (NEDI),’ a rapid, innovative, and effective and Women’s Socio-Economic Empowerment and
youth/women engagement approach. This is a forum Participation in Governance, in accordance with the
for economic empowerment funded by numerous government’s post-COVID-19 economic recovery
groups that aims to assist young men and women initiative.
in systematically mainstreaming both national and
county government development plans. Establishing
This is a quick, innovative, and useful engagement process aimed at launching the County Youth and Women
Socio-Economic projects to be independently launched and supported by numerous organizations to help
them systematically mainstream in both the national and county government development agenda, as well as
donors and many other organizations, that support youth and women affairs.
The first step is to guide young people and women in understanding the advantages of the new constitutional
arrangement of the devolved system and the national development agenda, as well as how they can take
advantage of the 30% of capital resources distributed by international development agencies, NGOs, and
other private organizations working on youth and women empowerment initiatives in every county.
a) Nationwide Socio-economic mapping workshops- projects to modern standards and create bulk small-
The training aimed at among other things to find the scale processing industries that can feed the vast
best avenues of collaboration with the government available market.
in supporting the ongoing youth community action • Design transparent and credibility procedures for
projects already existing in the different parts of the proper resource utilization and establish network
country and the spread of the idea in all the forty- of strong socio-political leadership and link up the
seven counties in Kenya. network with government and other agencies
The sub-objectives of the county youth trainings will b) Finally, there is a media communications strategy
include: that underpins the entire program to reach the
• Examine all the youth group/individual economic millions of other youth and women in the country,
projects legal status in order to upscale the economic region and the Diaspora.
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Target areas
Our shared focus includes tapping youth and women’s
passion and potential in the following areas and turning
them into real economic ventures: -
• Sports, creative and performance arts
• Leadership and governance
• Agri-business, blue economy and smart climate
technologies
• ICT programs and systems
• Other general business ideas and social
enterprises
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2. FOOD SYSTEMS
This program is a continuation of NEDI but focusing In some ways, there’s never been more reason to be
purely on agricultural value chains, with the pilot in the optimistic about the road ahead for agriculture. Despite
western Kenya region. We examined the majority of the the many challenges, the industry fundamentals paint
ongoing projects and the ideas presented by various a bright future. Over the next 40 years, global demand
youth and women groups/individuals and concluded that will require a 60% increase in major crop production.
the majority were inclined towards Agri-business. As Moreover, this is one industry in which many companies
such, we developed a program to promote the following have just barely scratched the surface in their efforts
Agricultural value chains: - to boost yields, improve supply chain efficiencies and
1. Milk Production increase value-added activities.
2. Cotton Production
3. Horticultural Production
4. Fish farming value chains
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We focus on:
• Farmer education and Agricultural extension
services
• Running a number of demonstration farms
to teach new techniques and technologies,
showcase new or improved crops/species
• Establish Agri-processing that is a subset of
manufacturing industry that processes raw
materials and intermediate products derived
from the agricultural sector
• Investors, donors, stakeholders’ and market
linkages
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3. COMMUNITY HEALTH SUPPORT
Under this program we integrate professional health
support to help the communities where we work
to prevent diseases and promote healthy living by
examining health through the lens of neighborhood
structures and urgent policy decisions.
We focus on: -
• Healthy public practices
• Create awareness on HIV/AIDS, cancer,
Covid pandemics
• Mental health interventions
• Medical camps for free tests and treatments
• Life style diseases support systems
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4. NETWORKING
Under this program we provide the youth and women With a shared vision of unlocking new opportunities,
entrepreneurs a platform to interact beyond their small youth and women entrepreneurs are coming together
internal spheres’ operations, but to share and exchange of to break down barriers, foster knowledge exchange, and
information with other like-minded people, both locally, ignite a spirit of collaboration. By pooling their diverse
countrywide, regionally as well as globally. skills, experiences, and perspectives, they are redefining
the entrepreneurial landscape and propelling Kenya
We focus on: - towards a future of prosperity.
• Nationwide as well regional innovative fairs/ The power of collaboration lies in the fusion of ideas,
exhibitions/expos the sharing of best practices, and the strength derived
• Global exchange and volunteer services from a united front. As youth and women entrepreneurs
• Technological and innovative exchanges join forces, they are collectively addressing challenges,
• Awareness, motivational and mentorship leveraging emerging technologies, and tapping into
programs untapped markets.
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DRIVING
CHANGE,
UNLOCKING
POTENTIAL.
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elit. Nam dapibus odio non est lacinia aliquet.
Suspendisse dictum malesuada tellus vel fringilla.
Sed tincidunt risus eros, eget egestas nulla euismod
ut. Vivamus id varius lorem. Quisque eget rutrum
ipsum. Phasellus nec arcu eu erat pretium congue at
ac lectus. Praesent vitae nunc sit amet leo vulputate
laoreet. Quisque commodo posuere nisi eu volutpat.
Nam rhoncus, neque eget tempor sollicitudin, nulla
dui posuere lectus, eu iaculis ante lectus eu massa.
Sed sed interdum tellus. Ut tristique hendrerit leo,
vel consectetur libero varius ut. Quisque commodo
posuere nisi eu volutpat.
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OUR TEAM
From the board of directors to our competent management team CAV has a team of dedicated individuals
with a passion for continual growth. This environment is nurtured by a young, vibrant and experienced upper
management. CAV is made up of a national team talented in different fields all dedicated to our humanitarian
goals. We enjoy teamwork with the various skillsets and personalities. Every member of the CAV believes
strongly in the empowering power of knowledge. In order to deliver the most competitive enterprises & offer
the best services to our communities we have assembled the best people we can get. We have put in place a
team with diverse expertise, a firm commitment to integrity and that adheres to our business standards.
Board chair Board Treasurer Chief Executive Officer
John Jaoko Nene Betty Adera Joseph Ochieng’
Provides leadership to the Board Chairs the finance committee A strong advocate of social
of Directors of the Company. and reports to the board. justice and economic liberation.
Legal and Compliance Officer IT Expert Administrator
Henry Omany Douglas Assesa Monica Adogo
Legal counselor with over 8 An accomplished IT professional A psychologist with acute skills
years’ experience. with experience in web systems. on public relations
CONTACTS
Westlands Avenue, NBO. KENYA
Phone: +254 700 123 123
Email: hello@centerforafricavolunteers.org
www.centerforafricavolunteers.com
