| Selecting One From Many
Have you ever tried to guess how many jelly beans are in a jar? There are some tricks to getting a realistic estimate, like multiplying the number of beans along the jar’s dimensions. Can we apply the same logic to count the number of nonprofit organizations in a Kenyan slum? Actually, that’s a bit trickier because they are not evenly distributed and many are invisible. When in Kenya earlier this year, I stopped by the Council of NGOs (nongovernmental organizations) to get a directory of all NGOs registered in the country. The size of a phone book, the directory is 286 pages long. The staff of the Council told me there were over 5,000 NGOs in Kenya. And those are the registered ones; many more are unregistered. In addition there are other categories of nonprofits, including trusts and community based organizations. Altogether, I’d guess there are more than 10,000 nonprofit organizations. Nairobi’s largest and most famous slum, Kibera, is noted for the density of organizations within its one square mile of area. Successful living there entails managing one’s access to the services of the various organizations. Nonprofit organizations in Kenya vary widely in size, impact, reputation and degrees of accountability. Some are indigenous, while others are operated by foreigners. Some are referred to as “flash drive NGOs” because they exist only on websites and pamphlets that request donations, but they don’t really offer any services. And some are run by people who are sacrificial in their service and who truly transform the lives of those they serve. With so many organizations of such varying quality, how can you know which ones are worthy of your support? If you choose to give only to those with a big name, it usually means an organization from the US or the UK. But indigenous Africans are the ones most likely to know what is needed, how to deliver it, and to go to the places where no one else will go. One way to confidently select an African grassroots organization is to look among those supported by Africa Rising. We identify organizations on the basis of their reputation in the community and on-site visits. Our East African liaison, Mary Muhara, visits them annually and stays in touch with them regularly via email and cell phone calls. We develop and maintain relationships with our organizations so you can do the same. |
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