The Kanyike Project Theory of Change Policy (2026–2031)

Vision

Empower the 90% of the Kanyike Project community who currently live in poverty to support themselves in becoming a healthy, resilient, and economically empowered community where individuals and families have access to quality healthcare, sustainable livelihoods, education, and opportunities to thrive independently.

Mission

Our mission is to improve the wellbeing of vulnerable communities in the Kanyike Project by funding the provision of integrated health services, education, skills development, and providing funding to kick-start sustainable income-generating initiatives. We provide consistent, regular funding to support these service provisions and want to start reducing dependence on this external funding by focusing on activities that strengthen community self-reliance and the economic sustainability of the project.

Problem Statement

The Kanyike Project community experiences interconnected challenges including:

  • High levels of poverty and unemployment, particularly among young people and women due to lack of job opportunities, training, and women marrying young and dropping out of education.

  • Limited access to affordable healthcare and preventive services.

  • Changeable external funding for essential health and social programmes such as from the Ugandan and UK government.

  • Lack of vocational skills and economic opportunities.

  • Infrastructure deterioration due to insufficient maintenance funding once external funders have provided an initial cash injection.

  • Dependence on charitable donations for essential services.

These challenges reinforce cycles of poor health, vulnerability, and economic insecurity.

 

Theory of Change

If we:

Strengthen community health systems by:

  • Supporting Community Counselling Aides (CCAs)

  • Expanding medical outreach services

  • Improving health centre infrastructure and equipment

  • Increasing access to HIV services and preventative healthcare

Invest in education and skills development by:

  • Supporting early years education

  • Developing vocational and enterprise training opportunities

  • Providing business and financial literacy training

Build sustainable livelihoods by:

  • Supporting women's enterprises and savings groups

  • Expanding agricultural projects, including poultry farming and bee keeping

  • Developing soap production and other small businesses

  • Strengthening savings and lending initiatives

Develop sustainable income streams by:

  • Scaling profitable agricultural enterprises

  • Developing social enterprises and cooperatives

  • Exploring voluntourism and grant funding opportunities

  • Reinvesting profits into community programmes

 

Then:

In the short term (1–2 years):

  • More people access healthcare services.

  • Women and young people gain practical skills.

  • Community health workers are better equipped.

  • Increased participation in savings groups and income-generating activities.

  • Essential infrastructure is maintained and protected.

In the medium term (3–5 years):

  • Household incomes increase.

  • More people become self-employed.

  • Healthcare attendance and health outcomes improve.

  • Community groups become increasingly self-sustaining.

  • The project generates its own income to support core activities.

In the long term (5–10 years):

  • Poverty and vulnerability are reduced.

  • Improved health and educational outcomes across the community.

  • Increased resilience and economic independence.

  • Reduced dependence on overseas charitable donations.

  • A sustainable, community-led development model is established.

 

Strategic Outcomes

Outcome 1: Improved Health and Wellbeing

Indicators

  • Increased outreach attendance.

  • Increased HIV testing and treatment adherence.

  • Reduced preventable illness.

  • Improved maternal and child health outcomes.

 

Outcome 2: Sustainable Livelihoods and Economic Empowerment

Indicators

  • Number of individuals generating income through enterprise.

  • Growth in savings group membership and capital.

  • Increased household income.

  • Number of people completing vocational training.

 

Outcome 3: Empowered Women and Young People

Indicators

  • Increased participation in enterprise programmes.

  • Increased school attendance and retention.

  • Greater financial independence among women and youth.

 

Outcome 4: Strong Community Institutions

Indicators

  • Improved governance and financial systems.

  • Increased local leadership and ownership.

  • Improved infrastructure maintenance.

  • Greater compliance with NGO requirements.

 

Outcome 5: Financial Sustainability of the project

Indicators

  • Percentage of operational costs covered through internally generated income.

  • Growth in social enterprise revenue.

  • Number of new funding partnerships and grants secured.

  • Reduction in reliance on unrestricted donor funding

 

Cross-Cutting Principles

All programmes will be guided by the following principles:

  • Community ownership and participation.

  • Sustainability and long-term impact.

  • Equity and inclusion.

  • Partnership and collaboration.

  • Accountability and transparency.

  • Capacity building and local leadership.

 

Assumptions

This theory of change assumes that:

  • Communities remain willing to participate in programmes.

  • Local leadership remains stable and engaged.

  • Agricultural enterprises remain commercially viable.

  • Government policy remains broadly supportive.

  • Sufficient seed funding and technical support can be secured during the transition to sustainability.

 

Impact Statement

The Kanyike Project will support communities to become healthier, more economically secure, and increasingly self-reliant by enabling sustainable economic activities to fund integrated healthcare, education, and sustainable enterprise, enabling the Kanyike Project community to thrive with decreasing dependence on external charitable support.