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Natasha Facci embarked on a two-week ‘Gone Fishing’ immersion in East Africa in 2023. Natasha’s journey, supported by BildGroup, exposed her to the stark realities and inspiring resilience of local communities and the necessity for community consultation.
Initially overwhelmed by the challenges, Natasha’s perspective swiftly shifted as she witnessed firsthand the transformative work of ERFA project partners. She remarks,
Meeting families and small business owners (benefificiaries of ERFA), highlighted the resilience, strength, and soul of these local communities.
The immersion experience served as a poignant reminder of the stark disparity in living conditions, contrasting the privileged access to amenities in Australia with the scarcity faced by many in East Africa. Despite the adversity, Natasha found inspiration in the unwavering spirit of the local communities.
The smiles, generosity of spirit, entrepreneurship, and
resourcefulness of the locals emphasised the power of
community and the ability to make every cent count.
Despite relentless hardship, communities clearly prospered when they had ownership of project design. Natasha’s immersion experience challenged her preconceptions and expanded her understanding of the complexities surrounding community development and the importance of community engagement in project design.
As we head towards the end of the financial year, your gift can help children learn, read and thrive.
In rural western Kenya, classrooms are overcrowded, teachers are untrained and under-supported, and children are leaving school unable to read, leaving them disadvantaged for life.
But, with your help, this can change.
With improved teacher training, better literacy support and safer classrooms, children can gain the foundational skills they need to succeed at school and beyond.
Your support this tax time will help train teachers, strengthen schools and help thousands of children learn to read with confidence.
