Retsika Institute Of Arts & Technology

talize the landscape of the rural community. A foundation built on the work of a committed Board in combination with many strong community connections and partnerships. We have raised $250,000 through a variety of fundraising initiatives; purchased a building; secured ‘Charitable Status’ through CRA; developed and run initial pilot programs; nurtured numerous relationships with community partners who are also vested in our vision as well as secured an important Memorandum of Understanding with other institutions. Each of these milestones has been significant and has the potential to shape our future and the future of the youth and our communities in the county. Our fundraising objectives have been set with a target of $1 million that we believe will sustain the organization for a period of 36 months. Retsika Institute of Arts & Technology [RIAT] expects to launch a formal fundraising campaign later in the budgetary year of 2013/14. Planning and recruiting is currently underway to meet this milestone. We anticipate the Year One campaign (2013-2014) would be divided into the following components: Philanthropy, Public Sector, Marketing and Events, with financial targets established in each of these four areas. We believe that this initial funding will provide the Retsika Institute of Arts & Technology [RIAT] with the means to further develop what we have begun with the view that by the fall of 2014 we will be running programs to support between 45 and 60 youth. The Need
Within the Kakamega county[KC] there are a great many young students that the school system does not have the resources to serve effectively. Often the product of generations of poverty, these youth are unresponsive to the current educational model and are classified as “at risk” with a high likelihood of dropping out in the near future. We believe in the tremendous potential of this youth cohort. The costs of a student drop-out are staggering. A person who fails to complete high school can expect to make significantly less over their lifetime than a high school graduate. This economic cost impacts not only the individual but also that person’s community. The high drop-out rates also carry significant costs to society as a whole in the form of lost tax revenue, increased social assistance, public health care spending, and increased crime rates. The distribution of these at-risk youth is weighted heavily towards specific demographic groups. The current statistics indicate that 1 in 6 high school students will not graduate. Among certain marginalized and disadvantaged youth this number increases to 1 in 3. The result is a geographic concentration of poverty, racial and ethnic education gaps, unequal income distribution, and health disparities which will only increase as time progresses. Retsika Institute of Arts & Technology [RIAT] has been designed to engage these at-risk youth in an unconventional way in order to inspire them and to foster a desire to learn and succeed. This will be achieved by creating an environment which differs greatly from the current model which they have already rejected or don’t readily embrace. It will be an environment that encourages hope and innovation, creativity and excellence, and provides a path for young people to re-engage in their education. Ultimately, the successful outcomes created by Retsika Institute of Arts & Technology [RIAT] will elevate not only individuals, but entire communities. This business plan is an extension of a Feasibility Study conducted in 2012. It provides a roadmap for the establishment of a vibrant social enterprise in KC that will make a meaningful difference in the lives of hundreds of youth, and provide opportunities for them to be positive contributors to their respective communities. The Model
Retsika Institute of Arts & Technology [RIAT] is based upon the highly successful methodology pioneered by the Retsika Honey Supplier Co. Ltd and its dynamic founder, Ben Williams Olaka. (please see Appendix B and C). Founded in 2012, this internationally recognized company has developed into a multi-product social enterprise. Retsika Institute of Arts & Technology [RIAT] is the first international replication site. As demonstrated previously, many rural communities in the KC face greater challenges than other parts of the city. These communities have pressing problems which can only be overcome in the long term by education. Unfortunately, the current educational model is
failing in some of the very communities that need it the most. The current education system has as its core curriculum the subjects that our broader society has determined to be essential. This curriculum is taught to our youth in the spirit of equality and, by extension, uniformity. While egalitarian education models are admirable in theory, the educational outcomes they produce vary dramatically between socio-economic and ethnic groups. The evidence demonstrates that the one-size-fits-all approach fails to engage many youth, particularly in marginalized rural communities. The difficulty is exacerbated by reduced education spending which forces further concentration on core curricula at the expense of other programs. This problem is not unique to the KC; it exists in villages throughout the counties in Kenya. Retsika Honey Supplier Co. Ltd identified the core causality and has developed and refined a model that successfully addresses the specific needs of at-risk youth. The Retsika Honey Supplier Co. Ltd model embraces education as a priority in overcoming risk factors that plague rural communities, but in a form that differs from the current model. It is a program that values not just the learning, but the learner. It is a program that emphasizes interpersonal skills and cultural competency between and among all stakeholders; students, instructors, artists, employers and administrators as key to successful transition into a new career. Ben’s central premise is that environment affects behaviour. Ltd model maintains that a physical environment that is filled with light and art is symbolic of the promise made to at-risk and underserved individuals who labour within its walls. An environment that is rich in resources is evidence of what is possible and an environment in which mentorship is aligned with dignity provides a community with a legacy for the future. Retsika Institute of Arts & Technology [RIAT] will offer programming which emphasizes the creative arts, supplemented by technical training in an environment that promotes dignity, self-worth, collaboration, and beauty. By following the Retsika Honey Supplier Co. Ltd model, the centre will engage at-risk youth and turn them away from destructive paths. It should be noted that KC’s Retsika Institute of Arts & Technology [RIAT] will be the first implementation of this model in Kenya. Programming
The way the system works now, children learn writing, math, science. as soon as they go to school. This is because our society has determined how the child should be educated. A child needs to know this eventually but what is more important is that children need to know themselves and how talented, creative and artistic they really are. If we can teach children what their talents, abilities and potential are early on, then they will be more confident about who they are and the subjects will be very easy for them to absorb. True education is awakening the conscious awareness of the child. In its 2012 community feasibility study Retsika Institute of Arts & Technology [RIAT] identified two offerings which will best serve the community; studio-based youth/arts programming, and market-driven adult programming. Youth Programming
Workshops conducted in 2012 indicate that it would be possible to offer up to 4 studio-based youth/arts programs early in 2014. The initial arts programming will include:-
The school of computer
The school of arts( puppetry, poetry, music, art & Design, painting, drawing etc)
The school of Electrical Installation & Engineering technology
The school of bee keeping & Honey processing
The school of Poultry farming and egg processing
The school of Horticultural and fruit processing
The school of Tuber farming and handling
The school of Beans farming and processing
Driving school
The school of business Management
The school of construction & Civil engineering
Final programming offerings will be determined based on student interest and engagement. The process of recruiting students into these programs has been set out in a Memorandum of Understanding with the Retsika Institute of Arts & Technology [RIAT] School Board. Recent meetings with school principals and guidance counselors have further refined the protocols for identifying and attracting students. Acceptance and continuance in the program is contingent on the student’s school attendance record. Adult Career Training Program
The Feasibility Study and subsequent work with industry groups has identified an important gap in the area of semi-skilled and skilled training particularly for young adults that do not meet the qualifications to enter certified diploma programs. In order to address this gap, Retsika Institute of Arts & Technology [RIAT] has developed a special working relationship with Retsika Honey Supplier Co Ltd and Retsika Sacco and is negotiating a Memorandum of Understanding which should be in place by early fall, 2014. What is lacking are laborers who have basic safety training and knowledge around the use of basic tools. Feedback has indicated that local contractors have an appetite for well-trained individuals with a solid understanding of construction skills and who have shown a willingness to learn and invest in themselves in this manner. The objective for 2015 is to enter into arrangements with at least two other industry groups to develop and deliver training in relevant areas. In the longer term, Retsika Institute of Arts & Technology [RIAT] will supplement its existing programs with initiatives in the areas of adult literacy and General Equivalency (GED) services in collaboration with organizations and agencies currently providing these services. While initial discussions have been held with such groups, no programs are anticipated until 2016. Facilities
In April of 2013, Retsika Institute of Arts & Technology [RIAT] acquired a 3000 square foot building at Matete near the Hospital. This property was obtained through the generosity of several benefactors. The facility has the capacity to handle the proposed arts programming for the first three years of operation. Much of the technical training will be managed offsite in cooperation with the industry partners. Retsika Institute of Arts & Technology [RIAT] currently has a renovations program underway to upgrade and customize the facility to meet the programming requirements. This work is being overseen Retsika Sacco and much of the work will be undertaken by SaccoS members as a donation to the charity. Additional work will be needed at the facility to facilitate disabled accessibility. The market value of the renovated facility is estimated at roughly $525,000. Retsika Institute of Arts & Technology [RIAT] location at Matete near the hospital.[pic]