Welcoming Polycom Girls to the GIFT Portfolio
We are delighted to announce that Polycom Girls has joined the Give It Forward Trust (GIFT) portfolio, following a thorough due diligence process and a heartfelt recommendation from one of our valued donors, Leysa Noble, who visited the organisation in July.
About Polycom Girls
Founded in 2004 as a Community-Based Organization (CBO) in Nairobi’s Kibera informal settlement, Polycom Girls has since grown into a robust NGO with a reach far beyond Kibera and Nairobi.
The organization serves over 6,000 girls annually offering programs in education, sports, and sanitation while fostering self-worth and empowerment through its signature “G-Pende” philosophy, which means “love yourself-. Polycom’s programs are deeply rooted in the community, addressing real needs on the ground with a holistic approach that now extends to out-of-school girls and young women aged 16-25, fostering empowerment and long-term impact.
Why GIFT Supports Polycom Girls
Polycom Girls stands out for its alignment with GIFT’s mission of empowering disadvantaged girls and young women to lead self-directed lives.
Key highlights include:
- Community-driven organization: employing a bottom-up approach to address complex social challenges.
- Holistic empowerment: Polycom’s approach addresses various challenges for women and girls, from economic opportunities to social norms, fostering long-term change. Polycom being rooted in the community understands the complexities of the girls’ lives in these places and let them create the solutions they need to feel empowered and lead self-directed lives.
- Advocacy: Polycom actively works to influence policies, pushing for lasting improvements in women’s and girls’ rights. They have achieved great results despite their small size.
- Collaborative partnerships: Polycom effectively collaborates with local and international NGOs, government bodies, and community organisations, enhancing its reach and impact.
- Scalable models: initiatives like Talking Boxes have been shared internationally, enhancing their reach and adaptability.
- Culture of giving gack: beneficiaries often return as volunteers, creating a sustainable cycle of support.
- Strong leadership: Jane, the founder, has built a resilient and committed team, ensuring the organisation thrives beyond her direct involvement.
GIFT’s Commitment
Our unrestricted funding will help Polycom Girls scale its impact, allowing the organisation to reach even more girls and young women while enhancing its advocacy efforts and program delivery.
We are proud to support Polycom Girls in their mission to create a society of empowered girls and women contributing to the development of their communities.
To learn more about Polycom Girls and their work, visit their website.
