In November, we celebrated the first graduation for our Global Entrepreneur Academy (GEA) in Nairobi. Directed and facilitated by our Kenyan partners and friends, this course is a powerful and useful tool for community-based organization (CBO) leaders as they seek to maximize the impact of their organizations for the populations they serve. Building on the success and momentum of our inaugural class, we’re planning two more GEAs in 2011. And we’re even exploring opportunities to expand this training curriculum to other areas of Kenya as well.

In addition, we’re planning two Community Based Learning Experiences in 2011. Through these trips, we will introduce our friends and supporters from the U.S. to our partners in Kenya. These visits continually prove to be impactful and beneficial as they expand our network of relationships and enable our U.S. partners to become more deeply connected to our friends and our work. Watch our website for more information on these trips.

Finally, it is with bittersweet emotions that we inform you of the recent departure of Brian Rants, our former Executive Director. Brian was instrumental in the development and execution of the GEA, and we are extremely grateful for the passion and commitment he offered to The 1010 Project. He was recently offered a position with another organization, and we wish him well in his new endeavors. In the near term, Tim Brauhn, our Director of Operations, will take over the day-to-day business of the organization.

We look forward to a great year in 2011 and are thankful to have you with us as we work with our partners to break the cycle of poverty in Kenya.

Thank you,

Tim Brauhn
Director of Operations