Spring Newsletter 2020:
Celebrate #GivingTuesdayNow with KickStart

#GivingTuesdayNow – A Global Day of Giving Unity

Covid-19 in Africa

The pandemic has spread to nearly every country in Africa. Many governments have implemented lockdown measures, but these efforts have shut down essential livelihood opportunities (petty trade, stalls, markets, informal enterprises, etc.) and food prices have skyrocketed.

Erratic rains due to climate change, locusts in East Africa, reductions in international and local remittances, and restricted access to inputs and markets have reduced food production and pushed livelihoods to the brink. Hunger is set to become a greater risk than the virus itself.

The economic and public health effects of this pandemic will fall the heaviest on the most vulnerable: the rural and urban poor. The livelihoods of millions of people are at stake and KickStart remains fully committed to providing farmers a path to recovery and resilience.

Read the full article here.

KickStart’s Response Mobilization: Starter Pump

The current crisis demands a rapid increase to smallholder agricultural production independent of the rains, the virus, or the breakdown of local/global supply chains.

Each pump feeds 20 people per year with necessary fruits & vegetables.

KickStart remains committed to enabling farmers with the tools to thrive, forging a pathway to greater food security and resilience for the future.

KickStart is adapting operations to meet the challenges affecting the most vulnerable rural communities. Together, we can ensure that smallholder farmers…

1. Access our lowest cost, easiest to use, most portable Starter Pump to begin harvesting immediately & sustainably throughout the year.

2. Access digital training materials for how to use & maintain their pump to maximize their impacts (planting strategies, crop storage & water/irrigation management).

MAKE AN EMERGENCY GIFT TODAY

Honoring Angela Owiti Kere

“It is with a heavy heart and great sadness that we announce the passing on of KickStart’s HR & Admin Officer, Angela Owiti Kere. She had served this organization for over six years, and has been a great pillar in the HR & Admin department, the Nairobi office, and to KickStart as a whole. Most of us will remember her for her positive attitude and warm personality, always welcoming staff, donors, and partners into the KickStart family. In the face of an unfortunate health adversity, Angela approached her work with a lot of dedication and commitment. She was such an amazing person with an amazing personality. It is a big loss to the KickStart family. To us she was a heroine.”

– Peter Juma, President & COO, KickStart