Pamoja, a Swahili word for together, is BTCKE’s companion program in the US. Pamoja brings together communities and individuals around the shared purpose of ending child poverty. Pamoja offers us an opportunity to engage on a deep and effective level with our partners across the world and work together to see lasting change.
Pamoja Communities
Pamoja Communities engage in a deep relationship with a BTCKE partner organization as well as sponsor their participation in BTCKE’s programs.
Why be a Pamoja Community?
Relationship: Pamoja Communities speak with their BTCKE Partner organization at minimum once per month. BTCKE facilitates conversation through email, skype, letters and phone calls. These conversations provide the necessary base for building an effective partnership.
Cross-generational: BTCKE has structured Pamoja Communities especially for multi-generational groups. We encourage older members of the community to connect with their partner organization’s staff while younger children find ways to share with the residents/clients of our project in Kenya.
Doable Financial Commitment: Pamoja Communities sponsor participation in BTCKE’s management development program. This amounts to 3,000 USD per year. This payment can be spread out quarterly throughout your work with BTCKE.
Program adjusts to needs and hopes of community: Pamoja has endless possibility! Skype in students to share in Godly Play, reach out to local schools and engage students in donation drives, focus on the arts or literature ... we have created much space for Pamoja Communities to discover what will work best for them.
Lasting Impact: Pamoja partnerships last for three years (the duration of a Kenyan organization’s time with BTCKE). This long-term partnership leads to a sustainable and stabilizing relationship for our partners in Kenyan. In addition it offers both communities an opportunity for transformation and rejuvenation as they engage deeply with one another despite difference.
Visit Kenya: Pamoja Communities are asked to come visit and work alongside Partner Organization’s in Kenya!
Pamoja Fellows
Pamoja Fellows are groups of 18 - 25 year olds in the US who work with our YALT teams in Kenya. Fellows organize quarterly events focused on raising support for a YALT team in Kenya. In addition to raising funds, Pamoja fellows also communicate regularly with their partners in Kenya to build a lasting relationship. Currently, BTCKE has Pamoja Fellows working in Boston, New York, Houston and LA. Interested in starting a team? Let us know, we’re happy to provide the training and resources necessary to launch!
Why Pamoja Fellows?
Learn: Pamoja Fellows use the same organizing framework as YALT teams in Kenya - get extremely valuable experience with the material created by Marshall Ganz, professor at Harvard Kennedy School.
Connect: Work with Young Adults here in the with like-minded and passionate individuals in your community as well as build relationships with young adults in Kenya working towards shared goals. BTCKE assists you in growing these relationships through facilitating regular coaching sessions with YALT members in Nairobi.
Transform: BTCKE’s methods for addressing child poverty are a drastic change to the traditional methods we’ve experienced. Be a part of this shift - change the face of global aid and work for reform in the way that the US offers aid to Kenya.
Travel: Successful Pamoja Teams will be invited to come visit their partner YALT teams in Kenya