I love that Batonga takes an informed and data-driven approach to empowering young women and girls. They make sure that donor funds reach the populations that need support most.
I've been working with nonprofits for close to 30 years now and have seen all the wonderful work that they achieve, but also the challenges with organizations built more on passion/conviction than on profit. It's not easy to make it work efficiently from donor to the people served. Batonga is a rare example of when it's working flawlessly. They are a great example of how to structure a nonprofit.
From the moment we began working together, I've truly been blown away by Batonga's thoughtfulness in all aspects of their organization. They're an incredible team with a great mission, a strong vision and the passion needed to make it all possible.
I have worked with the DC office of Batonga as a fundraising consultant. In my role, I have been invited into the innerworkings of many NGOs. At Batonga, what I appreciate is the innovative use of technology and the sheer determination to find those girls and young women who exist off the paved road, where other groups and development dollars would never reach -- either because of geography, capacity or will. I also love their desire and talent in partnering, so that the technology and program they utilize is adopted far and wide, multiplying their impact. They aren't concerned about what's proprietary, rather what works. I also love that this is an organization founded by a woman from Africa, and that in itself is an incredible source of inspiration that reaches all the way to that young girl finally getting her chance.
Batonga has been able to evolve its model which has targeted vulnerable girls at the secondary level well before others focused on this critical population. Batonga's approach is evidence-driven and uses data through asset mapping to customize its efforts to identify and reach the most marginalized girls. It sources and adapts successful tools, technologies and strategies (so not re-inventing, but adapting, what works) from others and has a very robust partnership strategy to expand its efforts. It is championed by one of the most dynamic African influencers, Angelique Kidjo, who uses her voices and multiple platforms to champion girls and women's issues.
I have been involved with Batonga from the beginning- This is the most passionate, committed group of people and board and it is an honor to also help make the lives of those young Girls in Benin a bit better thanks to the countless efforts of this foundation and the co founder, Angelique Kidjo. Integrity and activism go together-that is what Batonga is about.
We've travelled a few times to Benin and had a chance to meet some of the girls supported by the Foundation and we saw through the years their life and their self confidence improved significantly!
The Batonga Foundation is a jewel of an organization that has yet to tap its potential for helping to educate girls in Africa. I was introduced to Batongal more than a year when a friend invited me to attend a fundraiser for the organization. After hearing the remarks of those in attendance, I was impressed with its mission. A few months later I offered to assist Batonga. The challenges currently facing Batonga is the development of a strategic plan that will address future fundraising strategies that will allow the organization to hire at least some additional staff members; a plan of action for expanding the board; the development of a data base of donors and alumni; and the development of marketing materials that clearly tells the story of the wonderful work that this small organization is doing to change the lives of girls in Africa.
The Batonga Foundation offers a simple solution to the complex challenges in Africa. By offering education to girls and women throughout Africa, the Batonga Foundation serves as the needed support for Africa's local communities. By strengthening the knowledge base of underprivileged women, Africa’s mothers, sisters and daughters will be able to make better decisions and become empowered to lead. In every social challenge, women have led the way for major impact. The Batonga Foundation offers the tools for women to take on greater responsibilities to tackle the social challenges of Africa.