Hekima Place Strategic Directions, 2012-2015

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Hekima Place Strategic Directions, 2012-2015 Mission: To provide a loving faith-based home for orphaned or vulnerable Kenyan girls while supporting excellence in education and empowerment for their futures Vision: To promote the contribution of educated Kenyan girls for the good of Kenya and the world

Critical Issues 1. Kenya is a country of 40 million residents; half the population is under thirty years of age; 2.5 million children have been orphaned by the HIV/AIDS pandemic. According to the recent UN AIDS Report, by 2015, the number of AIDS orphans will continue to be overwhelmingly high. 2. Girl children in Kenya are second class citizens, expected to be subservient to the needs and desires of males. Although Kenya instituted free primary education in 2003, girls often cannot attend school because of other family responsibilities. 3. Although Hekima Place is considered by the Kenyan authorities to be the number one charitable children's institution in its region, there are social and political forces within Kenya that threaten HP's vision and programs. There are currently family integration policies that seek to return children to extended family members whether or not that is in the best interests of the child. There is also a law that prevents provision of services to children after age eighteen which may limit HP's ability to support girls in their care through their university studies. 4. The fluctuation in the world economy and the general economic malaise has exacerbated the challenges of an already challenging geographic division of leadership. Although generously supported primarily through U.S. based donations, HP lacks sufficient operating funds on occasion and struggles to offer competitive salaries and adequate professional development opportunities to its Kenyan staff. Uncertainty of long-term financial stability creates difficulty in making longer term plans about program development and the number of girls possible to serve.

Goals and Objectives History: Hekima Place(HP) is located at Corner Baridi in Kiserian, Ngong division, Kajiado district, Kenya. Incorporated in 2005 as a US 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, it also registered as a trust in Kenya in the same year. The program began with 12 girls in rented facilities. By 2011, the program served more than sixty girls, ranging in age from toddlers to university students. Hekima Place has been successful in attracting generous support from both individuals and churches/parishes, primarily in the U.S. A successful $1 million capital campaign completed in 2010 resulted in the acquisition of property and construction of a campus. Led by a charismatic founder in partnership with boards in the U.S. and Kenya, Hekima Place looks to the future with confidence and a shared awareness of the responsibility it holds for the lives of its girls.

1. To continue to provide a safe and loving home for up to 60 girls, providing educational opportunity through university or technical training... Outcomes  Quality educational opportunities at all ages  Adequate Nutrition Every girl whose life is touched by Hekima Place will have a chance to learn,  Full physical and mental health services, as needed grow and contribute all that they have to their community and the world.  Provision of transportation as needed to support education & health 2. To strengthen staff capacity Every staff person whose life is touched by Hekima Place will have increased  Clarity of job descriptions in all positions opportunity to develop their minds and hearts in service to others.  Professional development provided  Fair compensation & benefits Every volunteer whose life is touched by Hekima Place will be given the  Expand staff as required to meet needs of girls chance to increase justice and peace in the world, one girl at a time.  Leadership transition plans for key staff written Every donor whose life is touched by Hekima Place will know that they have 3. To assure adequate financial resources to achieve the above Build a diversified fundraising plan that includes: contributed to a practical, tangible solution to poverty and despair.  Preserve current faithful donors, especially $100+  Improve communication and connection with existing donors  Expand donor base by hiring US fundraising staff (contract or staff) & adding new parishes/churches and individuals  Build cash reserve equal to year's operations - explore opportunity for endowment giving (endowment goal? - % of annual operating budget)  Marketing and outreach strategies to support fundraising campaigns  Fundraising technology that serves efficiency of efforts 4. To assure effective shared governance and leadership over the years  Committee structure reflects governance responsibilities & needs of HP; includes non-board members on committees chaired by board members  Executive Committee - also, Personnel // Continued strong Finance Committee - clarity of budgets, year-to-year, important to financial stability // Governance Committee, charged with both effective governance practice in US and better connection to Kenyan Board // Fund Development // Volunteers & Outreach // Technology  Clarity of roles for US and Kenyan Board determined - statement of expectations for each written and signed by every member  Kenyan Board to provide operational oversight and work in partnership with HP staff on operational issues  Leadership transition plans, emergency and longer-term, written & approved 5. To seek and invest in effective partnerships wherever appropriate  In Kenya, with other children's charities and those who provide in-kind donations (service clubs, businesses, etc.)  In the US, churches and parishes with a heart for Kenya, education and girls