Last year, Neema’s goal for Giving Tuesday was to bring in $30,000 to support the work of Neema. We were BLOWN AWAY by the support that was rallied when you shocked us with a gift of more than $52,000. You, our incredible supporters, took action and invested generously in the hopes and dreams of the young women at Neema. As we prepare for #GivingTuesday 2019, we want to share some exciting ways in which those funds made an impact on Neema’s work.

We were able to strengthen and enhance the reintegration program designed to equip the young women of Neema by focusing on both economic and social reintegration. This included maintaining relationships and supporting past graduates, cultivating deeper relationships with guardians, expanding social skills class topics, and creating individual reintegration plans for each 3rd-year student as she prepares to exit Neema. These changes are already proving to enhance our program greatly as:
- more than 60% of our 2019 graduates have secured employment before their graduation day, while others prepare to begin businesses of their own
- 90% of the 2019 graduates sat for the highest level National Dressmaking Certification (for the first time in Neema’s history) and PASSED
- increased home visits with counselors, guardians, and the young women has led to an increase in support and encouragement from parents and guardians as the young women prepare to transition to the next season of their lives

In 2019 we partnered with a local organization to expand our financial literacy training program for all students. These seminars focused on basic finances and budgeting and later moved into entrepreneurship/small business finances. The students especially loved working together to develop business plans.
All third year students received on the job training in quality control and customer service at our Neema Shop’s new location. Now managed by 2 Neema graduates who provided training in marketing through developing contracts for local schools to make uniforms, and promoting the shop through selling handmade items at local village markets. They especially enjoyed coming up with new designs to build up inventory in the shop.
6 gifted staff members were added to the Neema team committed to supporting the young women in Neema’s care.

Funds from Giving Tuesday also provided fuel as Neema prepares to own a permanent home for our program. Neema leadership has been diligent in partnering with lawyers and advocates to work toward securing all legal entities and paperwork needed to make that dream possible.

Your generosity will be felt in the lives of 41 young women, their 28 children and their guardians for many years to come. Thank you!

Click here to learn more about how you can be involved in Giving Tuesday 2019.

How Giving Tuesday 2018 Funds Launched 2019 Work