A donation of £62,000 has been provided from the Isle of Man Government’s International Development Small Grants scheme to support two innovative projects to be delivered by Christian Aid in Africa.
The Small Grants scheme provides funding for projects run by Manx charities over a period of two years.
The first project aims to improve the incomes of 6,500 small-scale honey producers in Kenya. Beekeeping has been identified as a potentially significant source of income for the 12.4 million people living in arid and semi-arid lands in Kenya where traditional food production is extremely challenging. Christian Aid’s project will improve the efficiency of honey producers and seek to increase the market price of honey in the region.
The second project is designed to provide inclusive education for disabled children in Zimbabwe. Practical education and life-skills support will be provided to 1,020 children living with disabilities and the capacity of 24 schools to support children with disabilities will be strengthened.
In addition to this funding from the Isle of Man Government’s International Development budget, both of these projects have been the subject of Christian Aid Isle of Man’s annual Christian Aid Week Appeals, where large-scale collections take place on the Island to raise funds for specific projects.
Christian Aid’s Isle of Man Coordinator Louise Whitelegg said:
’I am absolutely thrilled that the Government has chosen to support Christian Aid week projects through the small grants scheme. I know I am not alone in rejoicing as both projects have received a massive level of support from the Island’s population and I know that our collectors will all be delighted to know that the Government has recognised their effort in this way.
‘This year’s project in Binga, Zimbabwe, is particularly close to my heart as I had the privilege to visit the project in December last year on a self-funded trip to see exactly what the needs are and what work is currently being done. Having met some of the disabled children who will be recipients of the Island’s generosity I know what a truly life-changing event this is. Thank you to the collectors, supporters, donors and the Isle of Man Government for making this possible.’
Mark Abaha, Livelihoods Program Officer at Christian Aid Kenya said:
’On behalf of the small-scale beekeepers who will receive support and training from this project, I would like to express my sincere thanks to the people of the Isle of Man and the Isle of Man Government for their support of this project.’
Chief Minister Howard Quayle MHK said:
‘Our work with these Christian Aid projects is an excellent example of just how much the Island’s International Development funding can achieve in terms of delivering positive outcomes for the world’s most disadvantaged people.
‘I am particularly pleased that the Government is providing financial backing for projects that have received such generous support from the public of the Island during Christian Aid collections.’
