Small Grants are making a difference

Community Action Against Injustice (CAAI) is a Nigerian non-governmental organisation that provides human rights and socio-economic support to women, children and persons with disabilities. CAAI received a grant to the amount of AUD8,314 to strengthen the capacity of community women to generate an income and contribute to the welfare of their families in Osun State, Nigeria. The project will provide vocational and entrepreneurial skills training and micro-credit to 10 selected community women from three suburban communities in the state to establish viable income-generating businesses for self-reliance and independent living. Eni Ayeni, founder and Programme Coordinator of CAAI, received a Short Course Award to study Organisational and Employee Development at the University of Queensland in 2012.

The Zambia-Australia Alumni Association (ZAAA) received a grant of AUD6,657 to support the establishment of the association in the country. The grant will support a publicity campaign, which will include adverts in the media, radio and television, to boost membership, the development and launch of the ZAAA’s website, the design and production of publicity material, and the official launch of the association, which is  expected to take place in October 2013. The association’s objectives include cementing Australia-Zambia Alumni links and supporting Awardees.

Kenyan Alumnus, Josphert Kimatu, a lecturer at South Eastern University College, was awarded a grant to the amount of AUD4,650 to conduct research that will identify the most Aflatoxin-resistant local maize varieties and be able to advise farmers as to the best maize varieties. Maize Aflatoxin defence is crucial in the overall goal of food security in the South Eastern region of Kenya where over 200 people died of Aflatoxin contamination in 2004. The research will be conducted in collaboration with the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI) and is expected to contribute towards food security and safety. Josphert received a Short Course Award in 2012 to study Post-harvest Management of Maize, Rice and Legume at the Sydney University.