Kenya has only an estimated 7.4% forest cover, well under the minimum 10% suggested by the United Nations. Kuvuna, which means “harvest” in Swahili, is a germinating for-profit organization with the goal of changing that statistic. “Our mission is to empower coastal farmers along the African coastlines,” said Social Innovator Jonathan Kisamwa. With the goal…
Several weeks ago, we received a message from Sypora, Loom’s Early Childhood Education Service Coordinator. She had traveled to Pokot, Kenya to teach a Celebrating Children Seminar with Jordan, another Social Innovator. “Pokot is dry, dusty, remote, [and] hot but God’s people live here,” Sypora wrote. “I had a ministry with girls on Tuesday and…
This past week we received an update from John Mukolwe, a Social Innovator who has been part of development work in a village called Engikaret. For years the Engikaret clinic has been operating only when they could afford to bring in a doctor and supplies. Women and children would walk for five or six hours…
You’ve likely heard us say one of our favorite phrases: “together, change is possible.” But how do communities change for the better? And how do we get there together? Loom is convinced that God created every person with the power to bring change within the context of relationships. As humans we were born with dignity–and…
Shalom is a Hebrew word that is often translated as peace or wholeness. However, its meaning goes much deeper than simply the absence of conflict or disintegration. The biblical vision of shalom is a community vision – a vision of human flourishing and a community that is holistic, healthy, and vibrant; a place of harmony,…
In 2021, we and many of our partners saw hopes deferred again and again due to COVID-19 and many other delays. It was a year of much learning, creative thinking, and listening to those on the ground as they shared with us their struggles and their insights. As we enter now into a new year,…
This month we have the pleasure of introducing you to two new team members! Sharon and Ninziza both grew up in the beautiful country of Rwanda and are joining Loom after finishing their Masters degrees in 2021. Ninziza Kamanzi: Child Protection Specialist “My name is Ninziza Darlene Kamanzi, and I studied Child Development in…
We have just received a report from Clavery, a Social Innovator in Tanzania. In the spring of 2020, he was part of our Vuka small business start-up cohort Vuka small business start-up cohort and used the business grant to open a shop in his community. We are astounded at what he has accomplished with only…
Over one year later, the first ever Vuka Small Business Start-Up Cohort has learned much. Starting a new business during COVID was extremely challenging, but we celebrate how each participant creatively addressed those challenges and all they have learned. Many of the small businesses are still running and providing much-needed income for projects among the…
From the very beginning, Loom’s goal was to equip CCW Alumni to creatively contextualize what they learned within their own unique cultural and professional situation. As leaders recognized the need to break the 4-week CCW into shorter, more regular trainings to fit the needs of busy pastors, teachers, and community leaders, the Celebrating Children Seminar…
