Do you know that January 2013 is a good time to …

Brush up your skills …

Distance Learning Program on Islamic Microfinance
Islamic Microfinance is an emerging market in the Microfinance sector, and there is an immediate need to educate, train and capacity build on this subject. The AlHuda Centre of Excellence in Islamic Microfinance is offering a distance learning certificate program on Islamic Microfinance.



Clean up your act  …

Keeping records for your business
There’s a saying that goes: what doesn’t get measured doesn’t get done. Running a successful business means keeping accurate and timely financial information. A good record keeping system also gives you the information you need to make better decisions.



Update your market research …

How to find out if your product fits the market
The concept of product-market fit is emerging as an important criteria for entrepreneurs when assessing the viability of starting a business. Not all ideas make for profitable business and its vital to ask before you start just how critical your product or service will be to prospective customers.



Hire someone new …

Employment contract template
An employment contract is an agreement that spells out the roles and responsibilities of the Employer and Employee.




And get inspired! …

Dhamira Moja Youth Group
The Dhamo idea is an African-born global grassroots movement connecting the privileged young (and young at heart) to issues of poverty in Africa and providing them with a framework for action.

Keeping records for your business

There’s a saying that goes: what doesn’t get measured doesn’t get done. Running a successful business entails keeping accurate and timely financial information in order to assess growth. A good record keeping system also provides you with the information you need to evaluate the consequences of your financial decisions.

A business owner engages in various activities whereby money flows through their business. Essentially, there is money coming into the business (income) and money going out of the business (expenses). These money flows are called transactions.

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To start off 2013 with a bang its time to find out if your product fits the market

The concept of product-market fit is emerging as an important criteria for entrepreneurs when assessing the viability of starting a business. Not all ideas make for profitable business and its vital to ask before you start just how critical your product or service will be to your prospective consumers daily lives. Essentially once consumers start using your product, how painful will it be for them in the event that for some reason it is no longer available?

At this stage it’s also wise to assess the competitive landscape and ask the same questions about usage for current market substitutes. 

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Employment contract template

Today's business tool is a template for an employment contract

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Dhamira Moja Youth Group social enterprise profile

Dhamira Moja Youth Group (DHAMO) is a community based organization founded on the principal of empowering young adults who lack skills and have little or no formal education in Kenya's Busia County. 

The Dhamo idea is an African-born global grassroots movement connecting the privileged young (and young at heart) to issues of poverty in Africa and providing them with a framework for action. Anyika Khaimba, the Executive Director was kind enough to answer a few of our questions regarding Dhamira Moja.

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"Stimulating Change From Below" Strategy: Social Justice - Call for Proposals

As part of its Strategy, Akiba Uhaki Foundation invites applications, from community-based or serving civil society organizations, social movements, community media in East Africa, that are creatively and innovatively using ICTs or community media in advocacy work towards progressive realisation of economic, social and cultural rights in East Africa. In particular, we intend to support advocacy initiatives that are using ICTs and/or community media in dealing with worsening inequalities in the East African region:

• inequitable access to quality and affordable healthcare and education;
• increasing youth unemployment levels as well as
• violation of youth labour rights amongst poor-rural communities, women and girls from marginalized communities, ethnic minorities, youth, persons living in informal settlements, persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and/or people living with HIV/AIDs (PLWHAs).

Applications must adopt rights-based approaches with clear focus on addressing the root causes of the identified problems and have clear sustainability measures.

Learn more about the "Stimulating Change From Below" Strategy: Social Justice  - Call for Proposals

ONE Africa Award 2012 | Yipe!

Throughout Africa, there is amazing progress by civil society focused on ending extreme poverty and preventable disease. These new ideas and exciting approaches are designed and implemented by Africans who understand the complexities of bringing about change and transforming lives in their communities.

The ONE Africa Award celebrates these innovations and progress towards achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Learn more about the ONE Africa Award 2012