ygap
ygap works at forefront of economic empowerment in Kenya and South Africa, investing in the power of local entrepreneurs. ygap makes it easier for entrepreneurs to get capital, particularly those led by women and operating in rural areas.
ygap supports businesses by helping to grow the skills and resources they need to create jobs and attract investment. This is particularly important for women-owned businesses, and ensuring local business practices are sustainable. We are proud to work in partnership with ygap and share their commitment to reducing economic inequality through inclusive growth. To learn more about ygap and its impact, visit their website.
Personal stories of success with CHAI /
Overcoming stigma in women’s health services in rural Zimbabwe
Nomfanelo Khanyile’s journey to founding Esisipho K began with free seedlings from a grocery store. What started as backyard gardening in 2019 grew into a thriving agricultural enterprise after she left her banking career. She initially leased 15 hectares from a local chief, later expanding to 45 hectares of owned land.
Today, Esisipho K operates an abattoir and processing plant, supplying A-grade meat to 15 Shoprite stores across KwaZulu-Natal. While machinery limitations challenge her growing demand, Khanyile’s success has earned recognition through multiple pitch competitions, including awards from the Graca Machel Trust, Coca-Cola, and EThekwini Municipality.
Looking ahead, she aims to expand beyond KZN to other provinces and international markets, solidifying her position in South Africa’s agricultural sector.
Personal stories of success with World Vision Australia /
Women are driving community-led sanitation change in Uganda
In the rural village of Iceme in Northern Uganda, Dillis recalls a life that felt normal but was fraught with hidden dangers. “Facilities like toilets or pit latrines were things of towns for the wealthy families,” she says. For Dillis and her neighbours, drinking unboiled water was routine. “After fetching water from the borehole, we would drink or use it without boiling. We didn’t know these acts were silent disasters.”
In 2022, World Vision introduced Community-Led Total Sanitation to the area. The program challenged long-standing practices through community-driven education and practical solutions. “We discovered our habits were spreading germs and diseases,” says Dillis. Her household and many others adopted new approaches, including latrines, handwashing stations with soap, and boiling drinking water. “Today, waterborne diseases and other health conditions are no longer our stories,” she reflects.
Dillis is now a local advocate, encouraging her neighbours to adopt similar practices. The change has improved health outcomes and strengthened the community’s sense of agency. As Dillis says, the shift to better sanitation is about reclaiming control over their health and wellbeing.
Empowering teachers
to fight malaria in Malawi
to fight malaria in Malawi
In Malawi’s Zomba and Machinga districts—regions where malaria poses a severe threat—Save the Children’s Learner Treatment Kit initiative is proving transformative. Over the past nine months, 400 teachers across 100 schools have been trained to dispense life-saving treatment, diagnosing and treating 14,165 malaria cases.
By providing 125,276 school children with free and timely access to malaria testing and treatment, the program has significantly reduced absenteeism and brought more consistent access to health services within schools. What sets this initiative apart is its alignment with Malawi’s national health and education systems.
Endorsed by Malawi’s Minister of Health, Hon Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda, as “one of the best intervention initiatives” for managing malaria, the program is gaining national and international attention. The Learner Treatment Kit program is a powerful example of how integrated solutions can address pressing health challenges while building the foundation for broader educational success.