Location:

Kilisa, Kenya (near Machakos)

Mission:

Who they serve:

AEF implements its development models in the village of Kilisa. They support and work alongside a network of community based organizations in their district of Kenya.

What they do:

Development project in Kilisa Village include:

• Water harvesting through wells and dams
• Tree planting
• Energy production through plants, wind, and sun
• Civic education on democracy and governance
• Support to orphans and vulnerable children
• Village-based education
• Village-based health care
• Consultation other villages wishing to replicate Kilisa’s successes
  
  

Year founded:

2002 (Kilisa Village Development Committee, registered in Kenya), 2004 (Africa Economic Foundation, registered in the US), by Dr. Philip Mwalali and Rev. Willy Kiilu.

Website:

http://www.africaeconomicfoundation.org/

Needs:

• Well digging equipment to begin a business.
• Medical supplies and expertise to begin a clinic
  

Their story:

The AEF founding directors observed that the ecology of their village was becoming over-stretched due to Kenya’s rapid population growth. In particular, they were lacking water. A reservoir had been constructed in their village decades earlier, but it had become filled with silt, no longer holding water. The village organized to remove the silt and thereby developed a water source for their agriculture. They were then able to grow a surplus of food and sell it in the local markets. This success energized them to take on other projects: education, reforestation, energy production, medical care, small businesses and more. Other villages have witnessed their successes. They come to Kilisa to learn from them and to replicate their projects. The story of AEF is one of initiative, resourcefulness, success, and generosity.