Founded in 1995, Common Ground for Africa (CGA) is a community-based non-profit organization based in Kitale, Kenya. Our mission is to alleviate poverty – the single largest threat to human well-being and social stability in Kenya –while also conserving the natural resources and biodiversity. CGA strives to demonstrate, in a concrete, observable way, that modern human societies can live sustainably and comfortably with nature.
Through its many projects, CGA works with communities to:
One of CGA's most well-known projects is Pathfinder Primary School, a school it established that now has over 450 students in grades 1-8, most of whom are orphans and vulnerable children. Each year, students and faculty visit groups, such as AIDS widows, to teach them bio-intensive growing methods so that they can become self-reliant and attain food security. The school has consistently received awards from the Ministry of Education for being the best school in reaching out to communities. Experiences gained at Pathfinder Primary have been shared through local medical and international forums, and are being replicated in other countries.
CGA is also home of the Kenya Ceramic Water Filter Facility, an internationally esteemed project that manufactures affordable water filters and educates the community on safe water practices. In the project's young three year existence, hundreds of lives have been saved through the water filters' technology and thousands of dollars have been saved by preventing water-borne illnesses.
In addition to these projects, CGA provides a wide array of services to the local community ranging from microfinance to emergency humanitarian relief to organic farming education and much more. You can learn more about CGA's projects here.
CGA's GOALS
If you have any questions about our projects, goals or how you can get involved, please do not hesitate to visit our Join Us page or contact us!
Through its many projects, CGA works with communities to:
- Increase the capacity of existing technologies and resources
- Strengthen local institutions
- Use participatory methodologies
- Bring in expertise to focus on the needs of the community
- Promote gender-equality practices and lifestyles
- Increase sustainable, income-generating programs
- Promote environmental protection and public health awareness including HIV/AIDS and safe water
- Promote education and health through establishing schools and local healthcare facilities
- Promote agribusiness sector in East Africa
One of CGA's most well-known projects is Pathfinder Primary School, a school it established that now has over 450 students in grades 1-8, most of whom are orphans and vulnerable children. Each year, students and faculty visit groups, such as AIDS widows, to teach them bio-intensive growing methods so that they can become self-reliant and attain food security. The school has consistently received awards from the Ministry of Education for being the best school in reaching out to communities. Experiences gained at Pathfinder Primary have been shared through local medical and international forums, and are being replicated in other countries.
CGA is also home of the Kenya Ceramic Water Filter Facility, an internationally esteemed project that manufactures affordable water filters and educates the community on safe water practices. In the project's young three year existence, hundreds of lives have been saved through the water filters' technology and thousands of dollars have been saved by preventing water-borne illnesses.
In addition to these projects, CGA provides a wide array of services to the local community ranging from microfinance to emergency humanitarian relief to organic farming education and much more. You can learn more about CGA's projects here.
CGA's GOALS
- Provide humanitarian support to communities in need through a portfolio of development projects, which are planned and implemented cooperatively.
- Provide assistance in situations of crisis or chronic distress and work towards the development of long-term solutions with those affected.
- Establish equitable partnerships with those in need to achieve positive and sustainable change in communities.
- Establish networks that develop indigenous capacity, appropriate technology, and skills at all levels.
- Develop and maintain relationships with our partners, which provide effective channels for mutual growth and action.
- Expand and promote the fair and equitable involvement of women in the development process.
- Lobby, advocate for, and build the capacity of communities to care for and responsibly manage the natural resources of their environment.
- Lobby, advocate for, and build the capacity of the communities and systems to protect the rights, abilities and survival of all children to attain their full potential.
If you have any questions about our projects, goals or how you can get involved, please do not hesitate to visit our Join Us page or contact us!
