Our Approach
At Aidlink, we believe the key to long-term, sustainable development is a strong and vibrant African civil society, whereby local people are empowered to tackle poverty and catalyse change.
From a small HQ in Dublin, Aidlink works through partnership, meaning there are no Aidlink staff or Aidlink offices located in Africa. Instead, Aidlink links with local, African community based organisations to collectively deliver our work.
Aidlink also commits to the development and capacity building of our local partner organisations; training staff, training boards of management and funding their organisational development to become strong, sustainable, and independent, organisations.
For 40 years, Aidlink has worked through partnership, forging relationships with local organisations and building their capacity to become development leaders in their communities.
Our Definition
Partnership involves a shared vision and a commitment to work together to bring real and sustainable benefits to the poor and marginalized. It requires a long term commitment, clearly defined expectations and shared responsibility for achievements. It values the unique contribution and strengths of all partners and is based on partners working in an open, accountable and transparent manner.
“The Aidlink-VAD partnership has enabled us to save thousands of lives through clean and safe water. Aidlink is now part of us.” – Benedict Male, CEO of Voluntary Action for evelopment
Aidlink’s partnership policy will be implemented through:
- Working closely with a relatively small number of strategic partners in the priority countries (Kenya, Uganda and Ghana);
- Working with these partners to address the key priority themes (primary education, water, health, food security) in order to meet the basic needs of those most affected by poverty in the target communities;
- Building a long term relationship with the partner organizations through sustained capacity building support;
- Building relationships with the wider constituency in the target communities;
- Acting as an agent for development partners in Ireland;
- Working as a partner with funders;
- Partnering education institutions for work on immersion.
“The journey of the Girl Child Network and Aidlink partnership has resulted in growth, cohesiveness and mutual respect for diversity leading to the attainment of key milestones.” – Mercy Musomi, CEO of the Girl Child Network.
Our Partners
Voluntary Action for Development
Voluntary Acton for Development (VAD) is a non-profit, civil society organisation working to improve the lives of those living in poverty in Uganda. VAD and Aidlink have successfully worked together on water, sanitation and agriculture programmes since 2003.
Caritas MADDO
Caritas MADDO is the development office of the Diocese of Rakai and Masaka in South West Uganda. Focusing on access to sustainable, safe water and sanitation, and improving food security, Aidlink and Caritas MADDO have successfully worked together since 2000.
Girl Child Network
The Girl Child Network (GCN) is a Child’s Rights organisation working to improve the lives of all children, with a special focus on the rights of girls. Aidlink and GCN have worked together on education and girls’ empowerment programmes in Kajiado County, Kenya since 2003.
Caritas Lodwar
Caritas Lodwar, the development office of the Diocese of Lodwar, serves a catchment area of nearly 900,000 nomadic and semi-nomadic pastoralists in Turkana County, Northern Kenya. Aidlink has worked with Caritas Lodwar for over 10 years supporting health, water and adult literacy programmes.
Amani Kibera
Amani Kibera is a youth-led, community-based organisation which has worked in the Kibera informal settlements since 2007. The organisation focuses on social justice through mobilising and organising youth participation in peace building, conflict management, and health awareness through sport, cultural, educational and ICT projects.
The Congregation of the Holy Spirit Ghana
The Spiritans and Aidlink have worked together in Ghana since 2004, focusing primarily on education programmes. They play a crucial role in Aidlink’s Development Education Programme having hosted the Aidlink Immersion Programme to Ghana over the past 12 years.
ARUWE
Action for Rural Women’s Empowerment (ARUWE) is a not-for-profit indigenous organisation working towards “empowering communities through women and girls” since 2008. ARUWE envision a world where women and girls realise their full rights and dignity; and strive to empower women and girls to manage and participate in their own socio-economic development processes through strengthening community participation, advocacy and service delivery. ARUWE deliver community-led programs on sexual reproductive health, GBV, WASH, and education; in addition to ensuring women inclusion in economic development, decision making and climate justice.