KSH Foundation: Empowering Communities Through Innovation and Collaboration
The KSH Foundation was founded by visionary leader, Khalil Sueliman Halilu, affectionately referred to as KSH. His name forms the foundation of the organisation's identity, reflecting his commitment to social impact and community development.
Every great initiative has a compelling story, and the KSH Foundation is no different. While KSH himself may narrate it in his own way with his vision—he wanted to leave a legacy that would outlive him. A platform that would provide young people and women with the necessary resources and support to either kickstart their ventures or advance existing projects.
At its core, the KSH Foundation is built on two fundamental pillars—technology and collaboration. The organisation is dedicated to leveraging technological advancements to ensure the success of its programs while fostering partnerships within the social impact space.
These principles drive their mission to support and encourage innovation, ensuring that every initiative is impactful and sustainable. However, the strength of these pillars depends on the dedication of a good team, and central to maintaining these pillars is the strength of the KSH Foundation’s team— a group of resilient individuals whose collective expertise and commitment, not only sustain the foundation’s vision but also protect it against external challenges, ensuring long-term impact.
The KSH Foundation has launched several impactful programs, each tailored to meet specific needs. Among the most notable are:
EveryGirl: Aimed at empowering young women aged 15 to 21 in underserved communities, this initiative equips them with digital skills and internet literacy. One of its success stories is Aisha Gimba, a determined young fellow who initially struggled with participation in the program’s immersion phase. Despite personal challenges, Aisha went on to complete the program and in the second run of EveryGirl, led one of the program’s curricula, becoming an inspiration for new participants.
Her Startup: A collaboration between KSH Foundation, Tomorrow Foundation, and eha Impact Ventures, this program supports female-led startups through business development training. One beneficiary, Olapeju Nwanganga, fine-tuned her pitch deck during an office hour session and successfully secured a 10 million naira grant, all before the program's conclusion.
Since its inception, the KSH Foundation has achieved several notable milestones, including:
- Securing grants from IEEE and USAID for the EveryGirl program’s second run.
- Receiving over 200 applications from 18 countries for the Her Startup program.
- Establishing a partnership to execute a major N30 million project for SMEs in Nigeria.
Starting a new initiative is never easy, and the KSH Foundation faced its fair share of hurdles. Initially, the challenge was building credibility and attracting partners. However, the founder's belief in delivering high-quality programs proved effective. The successful launch of Every Girl demonstrated their capability, with subsequent support from USAID and IEEE for the second run. While funding remains an ongoing challenge, the foundation has shifted strategy—positioning itself as a reliable partner for executing grant-funded projects, leading to collaborations like the Fem-Money program and the upcoming CyPHER project
The foundation assesses its impact not just through numbers but through the transformative experiences of its beneficiaries. A unique approach is ensuring that every partnered community has at least one local beneficiary. This representation has led to life-changing moments—such as first-time air travel experiences for young participants and young professionals securing their first paying clients through the foundation’s initiatives.
Another of the foundation’s remarkable programs, Dear Therapy, pioneers early-stage emotional, social, and mental health support for children. Initially, securing partnerships was challenging due to the sensitivity of the subject. However, key connections, such as therapist Halima Jafiya and parenting community leader Tinuke of Mums Confession, helped bridge the gap, leading to successful program runs.
Similarly, the Her Startup program thrives due to the strong collaboration with, Tomorrow Foundation, and eha Impact Ventures. This joint effort has expanded outreach, providing female founders across multiple countries with access to vital resources and mentorship.
Innovation is at the heart of KSH Foundation’s operations. Programs like EveryGirl incorporate immersive learning experiences, where participants engage in excursions, professional mentorship, and cultural exchanges—all designed to shift perspectives and inspire ambition.
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Source: Legit.ng
