A Place Where Women Learn • Connect • Collaborate • Thrive

The Women’s Center for Knowledge and Empowerment a social entrepreneurship project of The Press InstituteNairobi, Kenya

2009 Eric Lafforgue Copyright. All Rights Reserved

Imagine a place where eth ical journalism and social entrepreneurship

meet to produce news that is bold,

authentic and accurate.

As a young foreign correspondent in Nepal, Cristi Hegranes imagined such a place. From this vision The Press Institute emerged.

Now solutions-based reporting is being used as a tool

for global transformation by empowering individuals,

building stronger communities and raising global awareness.

The Press Institute is launching its next news desk together with its first social enterprise in Kenya -- The Women’s Center for Knowledge and Empowerment.

2009 Eric Lafforgue Copyright. All Rights Reserved

Mission To increase women’s access to information and education while providing sustainable, local funding for journalism training and news desk operations in Kenya.

VisionThousands of women improve their lives and pass on their knowledge, skills and wisdom to thousands more.[insert team photo]

The Women’s Center for Knowledge and Empowerment

Kenya, with its relatively stable government and cosmopolitan capital, offers PI a strategic location for gathering and disseminating original news content from east Africa.

However, Kenya remains fraught with gender inequality and vast socio-economic disparity, preventing women from realizing their full potential.

Why Kenya

Women comprise over 51% of the total population and half of the labour force in Kenya, yet:

8% Women in parliamentarian and leadership positions1

18% Women represented in political decision-making1

<1% Women reporting on politics and government2

8% Women as subjects in political news2

16% Women enrolled in computer science programs1

57% Women-owned business income compared to men-owned1

Why Women

References 1 African Development Bank and African Development Fund, October 2005. Kenya Gender Profile. Nairobi.2 Gallagher, M., 2005. Global Media Monitoring Project 2005. London.

Joanne’s StoryJoanne Wanjala was born in Namilama, a remote, male-dominated village in the Bungoma district in western Kenya. When she was 12-years old, Joanne found herself seeking refuge with an aunt after her father tried to force an arranged marriage. Despite the odds stacked against her, Joanne completed secondary school and graduated from the University of Nairobi with a degree in Communications. Thanks to a University scholarship, Joanne is now working on a masters degree in literature. She is married with a young son.

Despite all her achievements, Joanne continues to face challenges. The cost of Internet access in Nairobi is prohibitively high but she needs the Internet to do research for school work.  Even after graduation, Joanne will be challenged to find gainful employment in a country that has a 40 percent unemployment rate.

Although she has overcome so many of the barriers that women face in Kenya, Joanne wonders how she will be able to contribute to the care of her family if she cannot find a job. Joanne’s story is just one of millions of stories about women who need education, access to information and opportunities for personal and economic empowerment.

Business CenterPrinting, copying, scanning, and faxing provide a one-stop experience for students and business women.

Cyber CafeSemi-private, fully equipped computer stations allow women to:•connect remotely•participate in e-learning programs•listen to online tutorials, podcasts and videos

Community SpaceClasses, workshops and seminars in adult literacy, computer skills, business skills, leadership and wellness develop skills for personal and professional advancement and empowerment.

Vocational TrainingPaid internships give fledgling professionals hands-on, marketable experience in technology and business.

Mentoring ProgramMentors to help women reach their personal and professional goals

News DeskReporters are trained with strong reporting skills to

produce original news stories from Kenya and East Africa.

Day CareShort-term daycare plus gaming stations make it possible for mothers to access our services.

The Women’s Center for Knowledge and Empowerment

•Produce powerful stories about the reality of life in Africa - not as a dying continent, but a complex place teaming with life.

•Increase access to information, education and vocational training in journalism, technology and business.

•Provide safe space for women to network, collaborate, mentor, coach and support each other.

•Generate funding for journalism program in Kenya.

Goals

Months 1-3 Months 4-9 Months 10-15 Months 16-21 Months 22-24

Milestone 1:First reporters trained and fully reporting from Kenya

Milestone 2:Cyber cafe and business center openedInternship program launched

Milestone 3:Childcare center openedMentoring program launched

Milestone 4:Community space opened

Milestone 5:Customer and financial targets achieved

1 432 5

Timeline

Our Project Team

Haki Self-Help Group

STAFF

Cristi Hegranes, Founder and Executive Director

Jennifer Ruwart, Global Business Development Director

Meagan Demitz, Associate Trainer, Africa

Irene Mwivano, PI Reporter, Kenya

ADVISORS

Melissa Beran Samuelson, Clinical Professor, Thunderbird School of Global Management

Natasha Deganello Giraudie, CEO, Micro-Documentaries

Gemma Dreher, Senior Counsel, BAE Systems

Harrison Goodall, Chief Operating Officer, One Global Economy

Jeanne Marie Grumet, President, Communications Catalyst

Amy Lombardo, Founder, True Nature Wellness

Gabrielle Rapport, Director, Corporate Responsibility, Ontier

PARTNERS

Funding Strategy (Year 1) Amount

Existing funds $59,800

Individual support $26,000

Corporate Support $20,000

Foundation support $104,000

Total $209,800

Funding

Expenses (start-up + operations) Amount

News Desk $45,800

Cyber Cafe $59,400

Business Center $30,300

Community Space $53,500

Internship and Mentoring Program $11,350

Day Care $9,450

Total $209,800

Revenue Total $209,800

Start-up Costs

•10 women complete certified reporter training

•5 women complete technology and business internship program

6 month 1 year 2 year

•10 women complete certified reporter training

•5 women complete technology and business internship program

•300 women receive education and training

•20,000 hours of Internet usage provided to women

Your investment supports:

•10 women complete certified reporter training

•10 women complete technology and business internship program

•700 women receive education and training

•24,000 hours of Internet usage provided to women

Outcomes

The Press Institute is advancing social equity and economic justice for women in Kenya. Join Us!

To make a donation or for more information, please contact Jennifer Ruwart at jennifer@globalpressinstitute.org or (415) 300-7648