How We Do It

How We Do It
Legacy is at the heart of the work we do at Village Impact.
For me, it wouldn’t be enough to merely build schools where kids get educated. Our work is geared toward establishing communities in which kids break cycles of poverty and open their minds up to new worlds of opportunity. This is why we always stress the importance of entire communities coming along for the ride—because we are in it, and we want others to be in it, for the long haul. We want to offer individuals the valuable opportunity to provide for themselves, their families, and their communities, and to foster societies in which kindness and a possibility mindset generate even more awesome opportunities.”
Amy McLaren, Co-Founder of Village Impact
We Respect Local Voices
We only work in communities that invite us in, partnering closely with local leaders to ensure every project aligns with their vision and needs. From prioritizing activities to respecting cultural traditions, we follow their lead to create sustainable, meaningful change.
We Start With Listening
Before any project begins, our local team dive into comprehensive needs assessments, uncovering community strengths, challenges, and priorities. This information shapes every step forward, ensuring our efforts align with local goals and build long-term capacity.
We Build Partnerships, Not Just Projects
True transformation starts with authentic partnerships. We work hand-in-hand with communities and local leaders as equal collaborators. Together, we design and implement projects that address real needs, reflect shared priorities, and create a clear path to long-term success.
We Prioritize Local Leadership
Our work is driven by local expertise. With 70% of our team rooted in the communities we serve, we prioritize the voices and leadership of those who understand their needs best. By empowering local leaders and fostering ownership, we ensure sustainable solutions that continue to flourish long after implementation.
We Are Accountable
Transparency is non-negotiable. We invite third-party experts to review our model, ensuring our solutions are effective, efficient, and built to last. Every dollar and decision is made with integrity and purpose.
We Connect the World
We bridge continents, linking supporters with communities in Kenya to create meaningful relationships and lasting change. Through Bustani Manor, our social enterprise, you can visit Kenya, experience the impact firsthand, and deepen the connection to this life-changing work.
We Respect Local Voices
We only work in communities that invite us in, partnering closely with local leaders to ensure every project aligns with their vision and needs. From prioritizing activities to respecting cultural traditions, we follow their lead to create sustainable, meaningful change.
We Start With Listening
Before any project begins, our local team dive into comprehensive needs assessments, uncovering community strengths, challenges, and priorities. This information shapes every step forward, ensuring our efforts align with local goals and build long-term capacity.
We Build Partnerships, Not Just Projects
True transformation starts with authentic partnerships. We work hand-in-hand with communities and local leaders as equal collaborators. Together, we design and implement projects that address real needs, reflect shared priorities, and create a clear path to long-term success.
We Prioritize Local Leadership
Our work is driven by local expertise. With 70% of our team rooted in the communities we serve, we prioritize the voices and leadership of those who understand their needs best. By empowering local leaders and fostering ownership, we ensure sustainable solutions that continue to flourish long after implementation.
We Are Accountable
Transparency is non-negotiable. We invite third-party experts to review our model, ensuring our solutions are effective, efficient, and built to last. Every dollar and decision is made with integrity and purpose.
We Connect the World
We bridge continents, linking supporters with communities in Kenya to create meaningful relationships and lasting change. Through Bustani Manor, our social enterprise, you can visit Kenya, experience the impact firsthand, and deepen the connection to this life-changing work.
Phase 1: Make It Happen
We believe the people who live in a community know its needs best. That’s why every Village Impact project is rooted in local leadership, with communities actively shaping, contributing to, and benefiting from the work we do together.
Our schools are community-led and, once built, become community-owned. The local government steps in to provide ongoing operational funding, ensuring the schools remain sustainable for years to come.
The process begins with a community needs assessment and collaborative consultations with local and government stakeholders. Once we’re aligned, construction starts, typically taking 3–6 months. When the buildings and latrines are complete, we outfit the school with essentials like desks, book shelving, and water catchment systems—everything needed to create a thriving learning environment.
Laying the Foundation for Change
- Build a classroom or an entire school
- Establish school latrines and hand-washing stations
- Install water catchment systems
- Provide classroom essentials like student and teacher’s desks/tables, chalkboards, and book shelving.
Phase 2: Make it Awesome
At Village Impact, we don’t just build schools—we make them AWESOME. Once the initial construction is done, we ensure every school is set up for long-term success. Each school is registered with the Kenyan government, which provides funding for daily operations, including teacher salaries.
But we don’t stop there. Our goal is to make these schools the best in the county—not just for academics, but for creating a well-rounded, supportive environment where students can thrive.
We go the extra mile by providing supplemental textbooks, libraries, and salaries for school counselors who offer vital individual and group support. We also ensure access to electricity, clean water, sanitation facilities, and so much more. It’s all about giving students every opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed.
Turning Schools into Thriving Learning Hubs
- Pay school counselor salaries
- Build school libraries and stock them with books
- Put computers and/or tablets in classrooms
- Install enhanced power, water and sanitation systems
- Cover basic school maintenance costs
- Provide access to professional development for principals and teachers
Phase 3. Make it Last
We know that not all of our students will have the chance to go to university. That’s why we focus on more than just basic education—we prepare students with the skills and training they need to succeed in employment or start their own small businesses after graduation.
Entrepreneurship is at the heart of what we do. We’re passionate about inspiring and supporting students who want to pursue entrepreneurial livelihoods. To help make this possible, we’ve developed several opportunities tailored for high school students: entrepreneurship summer programs, annual summits to teach and inspire, guest speakers, school business clubs, and even contests to spark creativity and ambition.
Building Futures That Last
- Send senior students to entrepreneurship summer camps
- Support Kenyan small-business mentorship partnerships
- Offset the cost of extension learning opportunities like student conferences and field trips
- Supply enhanced tech training and technology maintenance
- Access guest lectures and mentorship programs