My Nonprofit Reviews

Project Harambee has a long-standing reputation for the excellent work in various countries in Africa addressing the needs of the disadvantaged to improve their lives through targeted programs like education and micro-economics (a hand-up; not a hand out). All of the programs are designed to lift those affected out of poverty. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, donor funds have been re-directed to also help feed those who have lost jobs and are confined to their homes. This flexibility of focus speaks volumes to the overall goal to help those most in need.

I have worked closely with this nonprofit having volunteered with numerous support trips to Africa over the years. Project Harambee, with Dr. Kathleen Harrison, Founding Director, has enjoyed many successes embracing an holistic approach to community development through programs such as educating disadvantaged students from the slums of Nairobi for careers in the health professions (MD, Nurse, Clinical Officer, etc.); micro-economic projects to give women and their children a “hand up” to care for themselves without relying on a handout; an “Animals for Africa” program that sponsors co-operative dairy goat, chicken, pig, and honeybee projects; and developing networks for medical education and service involving medical schools in Kenya and the USA.
Project Harambee emphasizes sustainable partnerships because the height of empowerment is the ability to empower another. All projects require participants to give back to their community. It fosters good management practices, frugality, accountability, and sustainability. More information is available at the website: www.projectharambee.org and on Facebook (Project Harambee, NFP).
This nonprofit deserves special accolades for all the good work it continues to do to make the world a better place.

I have been working with Project Harambee, 501(c)3) not-for-profit, and its Founding Director, Kathleen Harrison for about 10 years to help promote the work she is doing in sub-Saharan Africa to better the lives of others by building capacity (not charity), and her notable generosity in ensuring that those who donate to help her cause understand that ALL their donations go to those in need.

Her mission over the 15+ years of Project Harambee's existence has been to give a “hand up”, not a “hand out”, and to partner with African institutions to provide an holistic approach to community development by addressing the needs for better economy, health, and education in under-served communities.

She has impacted thousands of lives now and in the future by implementing specific programs that address the overall needs of capacity building:
1) For economic development she has helped women affected by HIV from the slums of Nairobi to rural Zambia learn art craft skills and has tirelessly helped to market these crafts to support their families;
2) To promote the health and economy of communities she has developed animal programs (goats to chickens to pigs to bees) where families are provided resources not only to improve health through high-yield goat milk but to support their families through the sale of animal products.
3) To promote education and health, Dr. Harrison developed novel “Grow-a-Doc” and "Grow-a-Nurse" programs that provide training in health profession for qualified students from under-served communities. Upon completion, the students are required to provide health care to their communities.. The program not only builds human capacity, but it enhances the health of the communities. In the last few years, students and graduates have planned and implemented free medical camps for Kenyans who do not have easy access to health care.

In each of these endeavors, Dr. Harrison has demonstrated the energy and commitment that exemplifies the ideals of social justice.

Thank you.