Biwati Children's Home Fundraiser

Good morning,

It has been a while since my last post, I have been rushed off my feet with university and extra projects- as well as a full time job!

As you know from my previous post, I am raising money for Biwati's Children Home:

'Established to protect children displaced by Kenyan post-election violence in 2007, the Biwati Community School was founded in Cham gi Wadu in 2010 by a group of 10 local women led by Jayne Awuor Owino. Their goal was to provide children with a safe educational environment as well as hope for a secure future because many of these children were being exploited through forced child labour and sexual abuse.

The school comprises 100 children, 15 of whom suffer from maternal HIV infection. Whilst a large number of the children are orphans, many stay with elderly grandmothers. Some have been abandoned by their relatives and are homeless and these are accommodated group members in their own homes.

There are two retired teachers, one of whom is the head mistress, and two others are still in college. All teachers are volunteers and some did not complete their own secondary school education. However, the children are taught using the same curriculum as publicly funded schools and do the same examinations.

Biwati is funded by a table banking initiative. Members of this scheme donate ksh.200 each and these funds are used as micro loans for small community business start-ups. These are repaid monthly with 10% interest which supports the running of the school and the homing of children in the community.

Needless to say the amounts are small and they desperately need your help. We are raising funds for the Biwati Community School to enable them to purchase learning materials and desks and chairs for the children to study at.' -Peter Day, volunteer for Kenya University

So what has been happening?

Like my charity is with partnership to Youth Stop Aids.

When people want to raise money for a good cause, it can all seem so daunting to get started, that is why I am providing a step to step guide for a great/simple fundraising scheme!

1) Decide what you want to raise money for.

Is it a family member or friend? Maybe a local charity, or something more international like my own. The best advice is to find an existing charity to raise money for, unless it is for something more personal, as it is already recognised and therefore easier for people to relate and trust. For example, I chose Youth Stop Aids as my charity is related to this, and therefore makes getting support far easier.

2) Decide what you are going to do.

What are your strengths? Do you enjoy running perhaps? A sport? Or do you like baking?

For me, I love baking!

Find out what you enjoy doing, and it makes raising money a more entertaining factor. Or you can go the opposite direction and really challenge yourself, this makes it more of an accomplishment afterwards, but you tend to find you get more support from friends and family as they would like to see you attempt such challenges!

I've done it all, from walks around an island, mini marathons, cake sales and car boots until my hands are blue. It is great if you can to do a couple fundraisers. 

2.1) Event Planning

Do you want to do an event? If so you should first consider a budget. If you don't already have an allowance that you can spend then start with something easier like a sponsored walk. 

If you have a budget, the first step is contacting venues, letting them know what you are doing. I always follow a three step process for this:

1) EMAIL! (Get their attention by sending a simple, to the point email with details of exactly what you want to do, the less they have to do the better.)

2) PHONE! (Give them a ring to let them know you've emailed, always ask to speak to a member of events first, don't waste your time speaking to someone that may have no idea what to do)

3) GO IN! (If they haven't been particularly responsive, go into the venue, if they have been responsive then you will have to go in to see them anyway, if not, go see them, it is far harder to ignore someone if they are stood in front of you.

Once you've managed to get through this, the rest is pretty straightforward, create posters and flyers, go around to local areas, you'd be surprised how responsive they are, and more than likely happy enough to let you put a poster up. Use social media to create the event, and most importantly, remind people- constantly- that you are doing this. If you budget is slightly bigger, make a banner to put in your local town, ask the council first, obviously.

Gill, Vice President of YSA Sussex with some resources for my event!

3) Raise them funds!

Once you have a grasp on what to do, it is time to start raising money. Remember to use social media and word of mouth as much as possible, hand out flyers and posters, and attract as much attention as you can!

It is a good idea to get in contact with people from the past, your old school or local rotary club, or any teams you were in previously. They are great for support. My old college is sponsoring me, and I also used Restless Development to get in touch with YSA Sussex to take part in their team.

If you can get t-shirts of the charity this really helps with promoting what you are doing, only really essential for events.

Overall it is all about helping a good cause, and people are more than willing to help/donate, especially if you promote and plan it well.

Good luck to your fundraisers, and please check out my page for the fundraising I am doing for Biwati's Children Home!

xoxo

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/BiwatiCommunitySchool