The women of rural Africa have received a beacon of hope as the largest single unrestricted donation in Village Enterprise's history of $7 million was gifted by philanthropist MacKenzie Scott.
The California-based Village Enterprise plans to use this generous donation to equip 3 million first-time entrepreneurs in Africa with the necessary resources to launch sustainable businesses and help end extreme poverty while building climate resilience for 20 million women, children, and men by 2030.
Dianne Calvi, Village Enterprise CEO, said that this donation was life-changing for women living in extreme poverty in Africa, especially during Women's History Month. Climate-smart businesses not only lift themselves and their families out of poverty but also equip them to adapt to the threats of climate change. As East Africa is going through its worst drought in four decades, this donation comes as a significant relief to vulnerable households.
The passionate and talented African team drives Village Enterprise's impact, which has already trained more than 264,000 entrepreneurs in Africa and transformed the lives of more than 1,565,000 people living in extreme poverty.
The organization's award-winning poverty graduation model is proven to cost-effectively increase consumption, assets, income, savings, net wealth, nutrition, and food security for participants living in extreme poverty, and it has been shown to increase the mental health, well-being, and sense of economic standing of women in the program.
Village Enterprise has also partnered with other nonprofits, including African Wildlife Foundation, Catholic Relief Services, Mercy Corps, and Wildlife Conservation Society, to combat food insecurity, acute child malnutrition, deforestation, and poaching while supporting refugees and displaced populations fleeing conflict.
As we look forward to a better future for the women and families of Africa, Village Enterprise invites more governments, agencies, companies, and individuals to take collective action in ending extreme poverty.
Your Thoughts
Do you think this is a step in the right direction towards ending poverty in Africa? What other initiatives do you believe can be implemented to help the most vulnerable?
Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.
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