HOPE
worldwide Kenya (HWWK) achieved another milestone with the launch of the
Industrial Centers of HOPE (ICOH) program on July 11 and 12 in the cities of Nairobi and Mombasa. The new program is a prototype of how public-private partnerships can have a great and sustainable impact in improving the lives of factory workers, their families and the communities in which they live. It is funded by
Wal Mart, which is the largest grocery retailer in the United States and which runs a chain of large, discount department stores in several countries across the globe.
The launch ceremonies were held at Center of HOPE, Mukuru (Nairobi) and Mikindani Primary School, Mombasa and attended by HWWK staff, community members and special guests.
The celebration included special performances by the multi-talented Utena Youth Dancers, Jovial Kids Club, Mikindani Primary School, and remarks by HWWK Country Director, Malinda Wheeler, and HWWK Program Technical Advisor, Julius Nguku. Remarks were also given by Juliet Nyagudi, Human Resource Manager at Kenya Trading (EPZ) LTD, and Godwin Shibachi, Human Resource Manager at Global Apparels - both in Nairobi, Abhijit Pandey, Operations Manager at Ashton Apparel, Nassir Kipembe, Chief of Mikindani (Mombasa), Leslie Durairaja, Wal-Mart Ethical Standards Operations Manager, and Sameh Wahba, GM Middle East, Pakistan, Turkey and Africa to mention a few.
Certificates were given to over 200 graduates who had undertaken HIV/AIDS prevention, life skills and entrepreneurship trainings since the ICOH program began in November 2007.
The grand official opening was marked by Mr. Sameh Wahba who cut a ceremonial ribbon at the vocational training center in Nairobi (pictured right), and at the main entrance at Mikindani Center of HOPE, Mombasa. While the cutting of a cake completed the ceremony in Mombasa, a tree planting session by the special guests from Wal-Mart anchored the function in Nairobi.
The dynamic partnership between Wal-Mart and HWWK allows for the targeted communities to be equipped with HIV prevention and life skills training, a huge need in Kenya at this time. They also receive the opportunity to obtain vocational and entrepreneurship training which includes computer skills, dressmaking/tailoring, and hair dressing. For the more marginalized community members, creative means of income generation are explored along with entrepreneurship. The holistic nature of the program also allows for improved care and support for children.
HWWK Country Director said, “This is a great day! For a long time we’ve wanted to have a vocational training and entrepreneurial component to our programs. General Motors (in Nairobi) donated the building some months back for this purpose. Now Wal-Mart has come on board to help make the vocational and entrepreneurship training a reality. We will work together to build the communities through building up the people and the youth.”
Leslie Durairaja noted the instrumental part that partnership will play in facilitating the success of the ICOH initiative. [I think you forgot closing quotation marks] Sameh Wahba said that the theme on the launch banner—“Bringing hope. Changing lives. Through Public-Private Partnerships”—really caught his attention, and that “Wal-Mart is honored to be part of it.”
HWWK is very grateful to enter into a unique collaboration with Wal-Mart, a store which prides itself in being a good neighbor and citizen in thousands of communities around the world. The Wal-Mart personnel who graced the occasion of the ICOH program launch demonstrated a heart for the work and the well-being of the communities around its supplying factories. HWWK is excited to partner with Wal-Mart in order to bring hope, and change lives by meeting the needs of the Kenya communities in an even greater way.
Read Wal Mart's official introduction of its collaboration with HWWK.
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