History
CIVS is a Kenya based non profit agency formed in 1993 that offers innovative and competent support services to empower communities and organisations. Our efforts aim at stimulating self-development initiatives among the disadvantaged, especially women as well as developing harmonious relations among people of different backgrounds and cultures.
Our activities include deployment of over 400 volunteers from all over the world to work with local communities on a variety of more than 12 projects annually.
Our first workcamp was held in July 1994 at Misyani small home located in Machakos district of Kenya. Since then we have been holding a monthly workcamps and also medium term projects.
From the year 2000 we started microfinance projects where we adopt a methodology called Bengi Investment Group (BIG). This is a methodology where CIVS in collaboration with the poorest members of communities through their own initiatives and ideas start a village bank in order to reduce their level of dependence on others.
Since the year 2001 CIVS started designing and delivering technical assistance and training to a cross-section of organizations involved in community development, enterprise development and microfinance in order to strengthen their capacities for improved service quality, greater efficiency, effectiveness, and enhanced community livelihood security.
Archievements
• October 2006 – Todate: Carrying out appraisal for Pamoja Trust and Slum Dwellers Federation; and setting up and building the capacity of regional capital funds (community banks) among slum dwellers in Kisumu, Nakuru, Nairobi, Athi River, and Mombasa.
• July 2006 – todate: Assessing IGAs, conducting feasibility study, designing state of the art business development services program for Samburu District; holding stakeholders’ workshops, and conducting community and staff training on managing “Bengi Investment Group” (BIG) community banks for Samburu Aid In Africa (SAIDIA); and actual setting up of community banks in Lesirikan and Ngilai in Samburu District.
• January 1999-Todate: Two consultants working with Undugu Society of Kenya and UNESCO in sustainable rehabilitation and reintegration of street children, using the minimalist approach to microfinance and enterprise development as they relate to family level poverty alleviation as a strategy for street children rehabilitation.
• 1998 – Todate: Supporting organizations to establish and run “Bengi Investment Group” (BIG) community banks. These organizations include: Women Concern Kenya (WCK) of Garissa, Kikozi Program of Lamu, Catholic Diocese of Homa Bay and RECA of Kisumu.
• Technical assistance in spinning off microfinance program and creating an independent MFI
• Training of board of directors and staff, and assisting the MFI in preparation of strategic and business plans
• Management of funded microcredit, savings and enterprise projects
• Training of staff and client groups on aspects of microfinance and enterprise development
• Evaluation of community development, enterprise development and savings mobilization projects, implemented by major international development organizations
• Facilitating national fora for microfinance policy and regulation in Kenya
• Institutional clients have included financial ngos, BDS providers and CBO’s across Kenya.
• 1997-Todate: Community leaders training on leadership skills, resource mobilization, and potential exploitation, design and management of community projects, and rights of community members including children. Clients: Kenya Episcopal Conference - Catholic Secretariat, Women and Gender program.
• 1997- Todate: Training of women and youth groups on small business start-up and management. Clients: CIVS supported women’s and youth groups in Kisumu, Machakos, Makueni and Kirinyaga.
• 1998-1999: Orientation of BIMAS Board members on enterprise development and investment matters as they relate to children and community well-being.
• 1997-Todate: Orientation of international volunteers working with small enterprise programs in Eastern, central, Rift Valley and Western part of Kenya
• 1999: One consultant led a Youth and Child development project in Germany
• 1999-Todate: One consultant attached to a microfinance program in Kosovo: The program is expected to benefit children; women and rural folk hence their rights are central to interventions.
• 1997- Todate: Organization and participation in grassroots activities, such as rural community development workcamps in various parts of Central, Western and Eastern Kenya
• May-July 1999: CBO capacity assessment for PLAN Eastern, where Child focus is a major concern.
• April-August 2000: Child focused Community Development plans preparations for PLAN Central, Nyanza: Kisumu, Kiambu and Thika. Livelihood issues were tackled.
• August-October 2000: One Consultant involved as Chief Facilitator in program monitoring and evaluation focusing on livelihoods and other issues. Workshops were held in Tanzania.
• 1996-Todate: Two consultants have continuously been involved in business training in Kitui, Nakuru, Nairobi and Machakos