BASED-UK
Our Projects: Eswatini and Honduras
All projects which we support are Baha'i-inspired organisations striving to make the world a better place. Projects are introduced to us by the Baha'i International Development Organization, which coordinates social and economic development work across the world.
Setsembiso Sebunye Foundation: Eswatini
Transforming Communities Through Preschool Education in Eswatini. A Self-Sustaining Model of Early Childhood Development.
40 preschools. 680 children. One remarkable vision.
The Community Preschools program in Eswatini represents one of the most cost-effective and sustainable education initiatives in southern Africa. With an annual budget of just £23,000, the project is creating lasting change across communities by empowering local teachers and families to build educational foundations for their youngest children.
How It Works
The model is beautifully simple yet powerfully effective:
• Community-led and owned: All preschools are established, managed, and maintained by the local communities they serve
• Free teacher training: The foundation provides comprehensive training to potential preschool teachers, predominantly women, creating career pathways and financial independence
• Self-sustaining economics: Operating costs are covered through affordable school fees, while venues are typically provided free by village chiefs or local churches
• Local governance: Each preschool is overseen by a committee of parents and community members who ensure proper management
Beyond Education: Transforming Communities
The impact extends far beyond classroom learning:
• Improved family health: Our teacher training includes modules on family health and hygiene, resulting in healthier children and communities
• Economic empowerment: In communities where parents couldn't afford fees, entrepreneurial initiatives have emerged, with families growing and selling crops to generate income
• Building leadership capacity: The program develops consultation skills, community ownership, and mutual responsibility that transfer to other aspects of community life
• Primary school readiness: Children from our preschools are sought after by primary schools due to their excellent preparation and positive influence
Why Early Childhood Education Matters
Research shows that 90% of brain development happens before age 5. Children who attend quality preschool education demonstrate significantly better academic and social outcomes throughout their lives.
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Bayan Association: Honduras
Empowering Rural Honduras Through Community Banking
A Grassroots Model of Financial Inclusion
77 community banks. 1,610 members. 16,620 beneficiaries. One revolutionary vision.
The Community Banks program in Honduras represents one of the most cost-effective and sustainable financial inclusion initiatives in Latin America. With a modest annual budget of just £55,000, Bayan is creating lasting change across rural communities by putting financial power directly into local hands and breaking cycles of poverty through local savings, local loans, and local leadership.
How It Works
The approach is proven and sustainable:
• Community-owned and managed: All banks are established, owned, and operated by the communities they serve with no external loan capital required
• Self-financing: Built entirely on member savings, eliminating dependency on external funding while creating sustainable loan capital
• Youth-focused training: Integrated with SAT secondary education, training the next generation of community financial leaders
• Local governance: Each bank is managed by trained local graduates who understand their community's needs
Beyond Banking: Transforming Communities
The impact extends far beyond financial services:
• Economic empowerment: 450+ businesses created through micro-loans, from retail shops to grain mills, with special focus on women and girls
• Educational integration: 8,000+ SAT students learning financial literacy while 1,260 have been trained in banking operations
• Community development: 70% of banks contribute to Development Funds that benefit entire communities
• Sustainable leadership: Student banks create a pipeline of trained youth who become the next generation of bank managers
Why Community Banking Matters
Traditional financial institutions don't serve remote rural areas, leaving populations trapped in cycles of poverty. Our community banks fill this critical gap, creating permanent financial infrastructure that strengthens over time.