ESRC – Festival of Social Science 2011: Realise your impact – Exploring the benefits of Collaborative Management Research. CREATING WAVES Kenya Community Association 1 st Nov.2011

Introduction: Baiba Dhidha Mjidho; Chairman of Kenya Community Association formerly Kenya Community Liverpool and Member of Independent Advisory Group to Merseyside Police. KCA (KCL) was formed in 2005 as welfare organisation for the Kenyan community whose bulk of members are professionals with low unemployment or perceived exclusions. Support was overwhelming at inception but became dormant by early 2009.

Impact of Inspiring Leaders Programme. Participant in Inspiring Leaders cohort in Liverpool delivered by MISPA between April 2009 and July 2009 conducted by among others Helen Connor. Helen introduced her passion of starting Inspiring Leaders Kenya with same aims and contents. On 29 May 2009 the Board of KCL invited me to be its Chairman and revive the organisation. I shared vision and challenges with cohort “ Making KCL vibrant, viable, engaging its membership, putting programmes and activities in place that give value to its clients and its public has been a burning passion for the last two years. …… The above calls for radical transformation in leadership, visions, objectives and inspiration. In the meantime, external linkages have to be forged and existing ones be strengthened”.

Cohort’s contribution The cohort assisted in evaluating ideas and actions plans proposed for implementation. New Board elected November 2009 and capacity building training conducted by Helen Martin Training and Consulting, Chara Trust and Merseyside Police Authority through funding of John Moores Foundation. Helen has since continued to have an intense interest in development of KCA.

KCA Vision Empowering Kenyans to achieve and maximise their potential KCA Mission To improve the quality of life of Kenyans in Merseyside through education, economic empowerment and promoting their socio-cultural well-being.

Internal outcomes: To sustain interest and ownership of the Association programmes by members with diverse capabilities, projects are clustered around social groups such as Wazee group: Men forming an advisory council to the community Ushirika Wetu: Women Group offering social programmes such as guidance to the youth, culinary skills of African cuisine, health and comfort to each other. Youth- Girls: Dancing classes and guidance Youth- Boys: Football Club Young Adults: Career guidance and adulthood challenge support Youth Development: Education support towards academic excellence which has been very rewarding.

External networks: Extensive networking and strategic alliances have been formed and continue to grow. These are crucial in creating opportunities to the great pool of professionals in the community. Among the institutions we are working or engaged with are: LCVS John Moore Foundation Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine Chara Trust Barka Foundation Poland through Chara Trust Barka Foundation UK through Chara Trust Congolese Association de Merseyside Merseyside BME Legacy Project Kenyan groups in other regions of UK

Partnership in action Chara Trust has been an important partner in professional development programmes, exploring transforming skills in business ventures, encouraging BAME communities to engage in Social Enterprise sector. Chara Trust and Barka Foundation Poland as lead organisations with participation and involvement of EU and individual National Governments exploring translocation of the Social Enterprise success here in Europe to the Continent of Africa.

Enduring Impact: Inspiring Leaders programme continues to be an inspiring force for KCA development here in the North West and will inform our vision as a partner of the Social Market Economy project in Africa.