Ford College Community Challenge

KENYA

Kenya

Launched in: 2015
Application Timing: Jan. - March

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In partnership with global nonprofit Enactus, Ford Fund invites student teams to develop ideas for innovative projects that address an unmet social need or problem in the local community—ranging from safety to workforce development to access to mobility, and more. Each year, up to three Enactus student teams are selected to receive a $2,000 USD grant to implement their project. Through this program, students use entrepreneurial action to make people’s lives better and help their community become a more sustainable place to work and live.


2019 Ford College Community Challenge Winning Projects

Maji

Egerton University: Baringo

The Maji Safi U.V. Water Treatment Project is an initiative that provides clean and safe water through ultra-violet treatment. Enactus Egerton University is working with a community-based organization to help the people of Baringo who do not have access to clean water. The organization has built community water points around the region and Enactus provides a method of cleaning the water using a solar energy source. The project utilizes germicidal lights that emit UV rays to disinfect the water. The germicidal lights are powered by solar panels, which are installed alongside them at community water points. The lights have proven effective as they can clean over 100 liters of water in less than 15 minutes. Four site locations were built in 2018, but none have been built so far in 2019 due to a shortage of funds.

Alleviate

Moi University West Campus: Eldoret

In recent years, Kenya has faced severe food insecurity problems. Project Alleviate is an agricultural solution to these problems that offers customized training on simple mushroom farming, automated mushroom conditioning systems, access to expert advice, access to standard seeds and a market for the final product. The mushroom structure is a grass-thatched mud house with solar powered and/or rechargeable mist sensors. Enactus Moi University West Campus plans to develop a mobile application where the system will be integrated. The application will also serve as a platform where farmers can buy seeds, market and sell the final product. During the first farming period, the Enactus team takes the farmers through a series of hands-on training clinics. For farmers who may not have enough capital to install the equipment, the Enactus team is setting up a credit plan that will allow farmers to have equipment installed and then recover the money as per an agreed payment plan.

Smart Bin

Multimedia University: Nairobi

Smart Bins is a project that monitors waste levels and assists in waste sorting. Organic waste is composted and used as fertilizer. Plastics, metals and paper are recycled and then given to companies that use them as raw materials for their products. The smart bins use an incentive system that allows users to earn points from their garbage waste. Once a user dumps waste in the bin and swipes his or her smart card, he or she will be awarded points depending on what was in their trash. The accumulation of points can be redeemed at specific vendor locations for items such as food or clothing, which in turn lowers the participant’s cost of living. The Enactus team strives to educates the community on how to categorize their waste. Simple education on waste management will go a long way for the betterment of the community.