Iyana eAfrika Organization
What does your company do?
Our main objective is to raise awareness about the importance of mental, emotional, and physical well-being for the children in our community. We firmly believe that nurturing the mind is essential for overall well-being, lack of such education lead to broken individuals and homes, thus fostering a troubled community. Witnessing gender-based violence and other forms of abuse in our communities compels us to contribute to community betterment by educating children. We create a safe space for them to share their feelings, teaching confidence and empowering them to ask for help when needed. Our goal is to cultivate a community of children who confidently assert their rights and resist negative influences. Through our organization, we provide refuge from harmful behaviors, keeping children in school and away from the streets. We believe that by tackling the main issue which is the mind, we will win. We organize outings to national parks to broaden their perspectives and inspire better choices, ultimately leading to a stronger community. We conduct personal development workshops every second Saturday of the month, centered around two fundamental questions: "Who are you?" and "What do you want?" We emphasize the importance of remembering these insights.
What is your biggest success?
One of our most significant achievements is being the sole active organization dedicated to the well-being of children in our community and its environs. Recognizing the longing in children's hearts for belonging, we've provided a nurturing space where they can thrive. The positive impact we've made on these children is profound, witnessing their growth in confidence, resilience, and self-discovery. Valuable feedback from parents, noting improvements in their children's behavior and increased engagement at home, validates the effectiveness of our programs and fills us with hope for the future. Knowing that our efforts positively affect children, families, and the community reinforces our commitment to our mission. It underscores our belief that investing in youth's well-being lays the groundwork for a brighter tomorrow. These testimonials of progress and transformation motivate us to persist with renewed dedication, confident that each step forward brings us closer to realizing a more empowered community.
What has been your biggest hurdle?
Lack of financial resources is delaying the progress of our organization. Currently, we do not have any sponsors. As the founder, I allocate part of my salary to buy food for our workshops. We struggle to provide meals for the children and transport them home, often leading to workshop and outing cancellations. We lack the necessary stationery to conduct our workshops effectively, and I rely on my phone for research, communication, and drafting learning materials which i cannot print out sometimes, due to the struggle. Our workshops take place in my living room due to the absence of a proper space. We aspire to support our children with basic necessities such as toiletries, school shoes, and a small soup kitchen, but financial constraints make this impossible. We also struggle to afford branded t-shirts, banners, and logo registrations, making us less recognizable at events. Furthermore, we lack exposure, which limits our reach and impact. Additionally, we need mentorship and business management guidance to help us grow and succeed. Despite these challenges, we remain committed to our mission and continue seeking support to overcome these obstacles.
