Worth Alliance

Poverty Graduation CHALLENGE; Kenya

PROVEN INTERVENTION TO BE DISTRIBUTED

Poverty Graduation Program

Learn more about the Poverty Graduation Challenge and why an evidence-based program that combines cash or asset transfers with mentorship and other forms of financial and social support helps graduate the ultra poor from poverty.

DISTRIBUTION MODEL INNOVATION

Worth Alliance’s mission is to deliver agriculture-based poverty graduation solutions that combine ISA capital, training, and market access, impacting 100,000 ultra-poor women and youth in Kenya within 10 years.

Worth Alliance will distribute the Building Resilience in Kenya (BRiK) package in Busia County, Kenya, by identifying ultra-poor women and youth farmers through community wealth ranking, household verification, and baseline assessment. Selected farmers will receive a bundled intervention of ISA capital, practical agriculture and financial training, field mentoring, and market-access support and buyer linkages. Their Income Sharing Agreement model, which provides upfront capital without fixed debt or interest, allowing farmers to contribute back only from future profits so the fund can revolve to reach more farmers, builds dignity and community-led action.

Worth Alliance was started in 2025 by Eva Barasa. Her team includes Kevin Yerry, Solomon Wambua Nduti, and Augustine Wangila, who serve as full-time program directors leading different functions to deliver our mission.

PILOT AND SCALING GOALS

• Directly reach 30 ultra-poor farmers in Busia County within three months. Indirectly, the pilot is expected to benefit approximately 150 household members.

• Work with 5 team members and 5 community mentors to distribute 30 BRiK agriculture-focused poverty graduation packages. Each package will combine ISA productive capital, practical agriculture and financial training, field mentoring, and market-access support.

• Fundraise an additional $50,000 USD from new donors or investors within 12 months.

FOUNDING TEAM

Eva Barasa - Founder and Program Development

Solomon Wambua Nduti - Technical Coordinator / ISA Fund

Kevin Yerry Dome - Field Operations & MEAL Coordinator

Augustine Wangila - Training & Coaching Lead

Readers Hub

READING GLASSES CHALLENGE; Nigeria

PROVEN INTERVENTION TO BE DISTRIBUTED

Reading Glasses

Learn more about the Reading Glasses Challenge and how increasing access to non-prescription reading or working glasses can improve the livelihoods of those in need.

DISTRIBUTION MODEL INNOVATION

Readers Hub increases access to affordable non-prescription reading glasses for underserved adults aged 40 and above in Nigeria.

Readers Hub distributes affordable reading glasses through trained Vision Agents and mobile RH Carts placed in high-footfall community locations such as markets, pharmacies, churches, retail shops, and peri-urban communities. Our pilot will launch in Ibadan, Nigeria, where we will train 25 Vision Agents and distribute 1,500 pairs of reading glasses within three months. What sets us apart is our self-sustaining reinvestment model, where sales revenue and margins are recycled into new inventory so the distribution network can keep growing beyond the pilot.

Readers Hub is founded by Daniel Femi and Clinton Okechukwu, two optometrists with field experience in eye-health outreach, community screening, and reading-glasses distribution in underserved Nigerian communities. Daniel leads strategy, operations, product deployment, and partnerships, while Clinton leads Vision Agent recruitment, training, outreach, and quality assurance.

PILOT AND SCALING GOALS

• Directly reach 1,500 adults aged 40+ with affordable reading glasses within three months.

• Distribute 1,500 pairs of non-prescription reading glasses through trained Vision Agents within three months.

• Raise an additional $50,000 USD from new donors, partners, or investors within three months to support post-pilot scale-up, inventory expansion, and Vision Agent recruitment.

FOUNDING TEAM

Daniel Ayodele Femi - Founder

Okechukwu Ifeanyi Clinton - Founder

Let Our Children See

READING GLASSES CHALLENGE; Kenya

PROVEN INTERVENTION TO BE DISTRIBUTED

Reading Glasses

Learn more about the Reading Glasses Challenge and how increasing access to non-prescription reading or working glasses can improve the livelihoods of those in need.

DISTRIBUTION MODEL INNOVATION

LOCS is a social enterprise that aims to restore productivity and independence in Kenya by integrating affordable reading glass distribution into the national health system through a network of trained Community Health Volunteers.

Operating out of Kisumu County, Kenya, the model integrates reading glass distribution into the existing national health system by transforming public health facilities into "reader access points". The venture will mobilize a network of trained Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) who will conduct home-based near-vision screenings and provide immediate correction or facility referrals. What truly sets LOCS apart is its sustainable, commission-based incentive structure for CHVs, which ensures consistent community outreach and financial viability without long-term donor dependency. This approach fills the critical gap left by sporadic marketplace screenings by providing a permanent, facility-anchored presence in rural areas.

Shadrack Muma and Mercy Viola serve as the visionary leaders of Let Our Children See (LOCS), an organization they established in 2025 to address critical gaps in vision care (presbyopia).

As the primary point of contact and Project Lead based in Kisumu, Shadrack oversees all pilot operations and high-level stakeholder engagement. Drawing on a decade of experience in vision access programs, he is responsible for the strategic integration of the model into public health facilities and the direct management of Community Health Volunteers (CHVs). His role is a full-time commitment, ensuring hands-on leadership as the initiative works to scale from the pilot phase to a nationwide model.

Based in Kisumu, Mercy serves as the Field Coordinator, managing the essential day-to-day operations required for a successful pilot. She handles the coordination between health facilities and CHVs, monitors stock levels for reading glasses, and ensures strict reporting compliance. With a proven track record in health program management and volunteer coordination, she dedicates the majority of her time to ensuring smooth daily activities and high-quality service delivery.

PILOT AND SCALING GOALS

• Directly screen 7500 presbyopes within three months.

• Use 50 CHVs to distribute 2500 reading glasses in three months.

• Fundraise an additional $10,000 USD from other donors within three months.

FOUNDING TEAM

Shadrack Muma - Project Coordinator

Mercy Viola - Field Coordinator

Wealth Village

Poverty Graduation CHALLENGE; Burundi

PROVEN INTERVENTION TO BE DISTRIBUTED

Poverty Graduation Program

Learn more about the Poverty Graduation Challenge and why an evidence-based program that combines cash or asset transfers with mentorship and other forms of financial and social support helps graduate the ultra poor from poverty.

DISTRIBUTION MODEL INNOVATION

Wealth Village aims to break the cycle of poverty in rural Burundi through entrepreneurship.

The Wealth Village model ensures that the extremely poor individuals in the community, especially women, are empowered or enabled to graduate out of extreme poverty and achieve economic and social advancement through comprehensive business skills and financial literacy training, dedicated coaching and mentoring, and savings as well as social support.

The founding team is led by a passionate changemaker who grew up in a rural area, where access to basic needs was a daily struggle for many households. This firsthand experience inspired a lifelong commitment to addressing extreme poverty. Now a seasoned Monitoring and Evaluation specialist in the NGO sector, he brings data-driven strategies and community insight to create impactful, sustainable solutions.

PILOT AND SCALING GOALS

• Directly reach 30 women within three months

• Provide tailored skills training, coaching, and routine mentoring to 30 women for effective management of their business ventures by the end of the pilot and create 15 savings groups.

• Raise additional USD 50,000 from new donors within three months.

FOUNDING TEAM

Olivier Mukunzi - Founder and CEO

Jagguza Capital Enterprise

Poverty Graduation CHALLENGE; Uganda

PROVEN INTERVENTION TO BE DISTRIBUTED

Poverty Graduation Program

Learn more about the Poverty Graduation Challenge and why an evidence-based program that combines cash or asset transfers with mentorship and other forms of financial and social support helps graduate the ultra poor from poverty.

DISTRIBUTION MODEL INNOVATION

Jagguza Capital Enterprise empowers ultra-poor women in rural communities to escape poverty by building sustainable, climate-smart businesses through seed funding, skills training, and community-based support.

Jagguza Capital Enterprise will implement its pilot in Kasanda District, Uganda, using a group-based distribution model where 90 ultra-poor women are organised into 30 micro-business groups of three members each. Each group is paired with a trained local business mentor who delivers skills training, monitors progress, and provides ongoing coaching. Participants receive seed capital in two instalments, join business savings groups (BSGs), and are linked to financial institutions and local markets.

What sets Jagguza Capital Enterprise apart is its scalable, cost-effective model that leverages peer accountability and mentorship within group enterprises, increasing success rates while reducing operational costs.

The founding team is led by Nakabuye Joanitah, Executive Director, with a strong background in strategic leadership and rural development. She is supported by Sserunga Paul, Operations Manager with expertise in community engagement and logistics, and Justine Nanono, Finance Officer and Growth Catalyst with experience in financial planning and grassroots coordination. Together, they bring deep local knowledge, technical expertise, and a shared passion for empowering ultra-poor communities.

PILOT AND SCALING GOALS

• Reach 90 beneficiaries within three months.

• Distribute 30 proven interventions during the pilot.

• Raise an additional USD 25,000 during the pilot.

FOUNDING TEAM

Nakabuye Joanitah - Executive Director

Nanono Justine - Finance Officer and Growth Catalyst

Sserunga Paul - Operations Manager

Sante Initiative

READING GLASSES CHALLENGE; Uganda

PROVEN INTERVENTION TO BE DISTRIBUTED

Reading Glasses

Learn more about the Reading Glasses Challenge and how increasing access to non-prescription reading or working glasses can improve the livelihoods of those in need.

DISTRIBUTION MODEL INNOVATION

Sante Initiative’s mission is to increase access to reading glasses for people with presbyopia living in low and middle-income countries.

The organization will connect reading glasses to people living with presbyopia by raising awareness about presbyopia through conducting educational sessions for health workers and community members, and developing informational materials (pamphlets, videos, online content) on presbyopia.

They will facilitate access to diagnostic tools by utilizing mobile apps with Snellen charts, offering self-testing options for individuals with smartphones, and making these charts available in community drug shops and clinics. They will also ensure quality control for prescribed glasses by ensuring that high-quality glasses are prescribed and conducting periodic audits to ensure compliance with prescription guidelines.

Sante Initiative was started in 2024 by Irene Mbabazi and Derrick Bary Abila. Both individuals are passionate about promoting better vision health in Africa.

PILOT AND SCALING GOALS

• Reach 500 beneficiaries during the pilot.

• Distribute 500 reading eyeglasses during the pilot.

• Fundraise USD 25,000.

FOUNDING TEAM

Irene Mbabazi - Co-Founder

Derrick Bary Abila - Co-Founder

ClearSight Initiative

READING GLASSES CHALLENGE; Ethiopia

PROVEN INTERVENTION TO BE DISTRIBUTED

Reading Glasses

Learn more about the Reading Glasses Challenge and how increasing access to non-prescription reading or working glasses can improve the livelihoods of those in need.

DISTRIBUTION MODEL INNOVATION

Clearsight Initiative empowers low-income presbyopic adults in Ethiopia by providing affordable, accessible reading eyeglasses through a sustainable, community-based distribution model.

Clearsight Initiative will combine multiple models based on geographic and demographic considerations. In urban areas, they will use the hub-and-spoke model with micro-entrepreneurs and in rural areas, they will rely on mobile clinics and self-adjustable vision kits.

Schools and community centers will act as year-round access points in both settings. They will integrate those models for a comprehensive, flexible, and scalable distribution framework to make reading glasses accessible across diverse communities in the Tigray region of Ethiopia and beyond.

The team combines Dr. Araya Yirga, a clinician and public health expert with more than 13 years of experience, including as Regional Public Health Services Director; Tr. Assefa Berhe, a teacher, top-selling books author and former head of a teachers' association; Sir Mulu Tekie, an ophthalmic nurse, with an extensive public service record including director of MNCH project at Moms fir Moms NGO; and Dr. Bereket Zeray, a university professor with Phd in Accounting and Finance and who has served as regional development bank advisor.

PILOT AND SCALING GOALS

• Reach 1,000 presbyopic adults during our pilot phase by distributing 1,000 reading eyeglasses through trained sales agents in selected communities in Tigray, Ethiopia.

• Distribute 1,000 proven reading eyeglasses to presbyopic adults during the pilot phase.

• Raise up to $5,000 during the pilot phase by pursuing small grants, local contributions, and potential in-kind support.

FOUNDING TEAM

Dr. Araya Yirga - Founder

Tr. Assefa Berhe - Co-Founder

Sir Mulu Tekie - Co-Founder

Dr. Bereket Zeray - Co-Founder

Aid Vision

READING GLASSES CHALLENGE; Democratic Republic of the Congo

PROVEN INTERVENTION TO BE DISTRIBUTED

Reading Glasses

Learn more about the Reading Glasses Challenge and how increasing access to non-prescription reading or working glasses can improve the livelihoods of those in need.

DISTRIBUTION MODEL INNOVATION

Aid Vision distributes reading glasses to older adults experiencing age-related vision change.

Aid Vision’s model is based on distributing affordable non-prescription reading glasses through last-mile shops in underserved areas of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Targeting individuals aged 40 and older with age-related vision changes, they offer quick vision screenings. What sets Aid Vision apart is its high-leverage approach, which consists of improving the quality of life for older adults with accessible, affordable solutions.

Aid Vision was founded in 2025 by Victor Naka Magerano and Benjamin Luhazi. Aid Vision is based in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Victor Magerano serves as Aid Vision's full-time Project Lead.

PILOT AND SCALING GOALS

• Provide reading glasses to 500 individuals.

• Equip 20 last-mile shops to distribute the reading glasses.

• Fundraise an additional $60,000.

FOUNDING TEAM

Victor Naka Magerano - Project Lead

Benjamin Luhazi - Project Manager

Presbyoptics Solutions

READING GLASSES CHALLENGE; Kenya

PROVEN INTERVENTION TO BE DISTRIBUTED

Reading Glasses

Learn more about the Reading Glasses Challenge and how increasing access to non-prescription reading or working glasses can improve the livelihoods of those in need.

DISTRIBUTION MODEL INNOVATION

Presbyoptics Solutions restores vision for Kenyans through affordable reading glasses.

Presbyoptics Solutions is dedicated to addressing uncorrected presbyopia in Bondo Sub-County, Kenya. Despite the availability of affordable reading glasses, many individuals aged 40 and above lack access due to cost, limited availability, and the misconception that glasses require a prescription. The initiative aims to demedicalize access to reading glasses by using Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) and church networks to distribute affordable, non-prescription reading glasses.

Through this model, they train CHVs and distributors to conduct basic vision screenings using the Snellen chart and the WHOeyes app. These trained individuals then distribute reading glasses at a subsidized cost, making them accessible to Bondo populations. By integrating eye health into community health strategies and religious gatherings, they aim to normalize the use of reading glasses and improve the quality of life and productivity for their target population.

Presbyoptics Solutions was started in 2025 by Beatrice Achieng Abura as Founder and full-time Director, Eugene Reywa Peywa as the Co-Founder & Project Coordinator, M & E.

PILOT AND SCALING GOALS

• Provide affordable, non-prescription reading glasses to at least 475 individuals aged 40 and above in Bondo Sub-County.

• Equip 7 CHVs and 5 church-based distributors with the skills to conduct vision screenings and manage inventory.

• Establish a referral network to ensure that 100% of individuals with complex eye conditions are directed to specialized ophthalmological care.

FOUNDING TEAM

Beatrice Achieng Abura - Director

Eugene Reywa Peywa - Project Coordinator, M & E.

Enhance Your Eyesight Liberia (EYE Liberia)

READING GLASSES CHALLENGE; LIBERIA

PROVEN INTERVENTION TO BE DISTRIBUTED

Reading Glasses

Learn more about the Reading Glasses Challenge and how increasing access to non-prescription reading or working glasses can improve the livelihoods of those in need.

DISTRIBUTION MODEL INNOVATION

EYE Liberia restores vision for Liberians by increasing access to affordable reading glasses in underserved communities.

EYE Liberia leverages a community-based distribution model. They train youth and women from the communities they work with to conduct basic vision screenings, sell affordable reading glasses and provide eye health education in underserved communities. The pilot will be launched in four peri-urban and rural communities in Liberia (Montserrado, Bong, Lofa, and Nimba Counties), where access to eye care is extremely limited or unavailable.

What sets EYE Liberia apart is its understanding of the local context, as well as combining income generation for local agents with immediate and immense health impact. Its model is local, empowering and sustainable.

Benjamin Varney Jr. is the full-time Founder/CEO of Enhance Your Eyesight Liberia (EYE Liberia).

PILOT AND SCALING GOALS

• 1000+ individuals provided reading glasses within three months.

• 1000+ pairs of reading glasses to individuals in need in underserved communities.

• Secure a minimum of $10,000 in additional funding from local or international partners to support our expansion.

FOUNDING TEAM

Benjamin Varney Jr. - Founder/ CEO

EmpowerHERVenture

Poverty Graduation CHALLENGE; Kenya

PROVEN INTERVENTION TO BE DISTRIBUTED

Poverty Graduation Program

Learn more about the Poverty Graduation Challenge and why an evidence-based program that combines cash or asset transfers with mentorship and other forms of financial and social support helps graduate the ultra poor from poverty.

DISTRIBUTION MODEL INNOVATION

EmpowerHERVenture aims to empower single mothers in rural Kenya by providing them with the skills, resources, and support needed to start or enhance their entrepreneurial ventures, ultimately improving their livelihoods and that of their families.

EmpowerHERVenture’s distribution model centers around empowering single mothers as distribution entrepreneurs, leveraging their existing networks and community ties.

The pilot will be located in Kiambu, Thika and Yatta regions of Kenya, focusing on these areas due to the high population of single mothers in need of economic opportunities.

What sets EmpowerHERVenture apart is its focus on single mothers, including those with children with disabilities and survivors of abuse, a demographic often overlooked in entrepreneurial programs, and their emphasis on creating sustainable, community-driven distribution networks.

PILOT AND SCALING GOALS

• Reach 100 single mothers with training and support programs within three months.

• Distribute 95 proven interventions to single mothers to enhance their entrepreneurial ventures during the pilot.

• Raise an additional $25,000 USD from new donors and investors to support pilot initiatives.

FOUNDING TEAM

Amara Chineme - Founder

Juto

POVERTY GRADUATION CHALLENGE; Liberia

PROVEN INTERVENTION TO BE DISTRIBUTED

Poverty Graduation Program

Learn more about the Poverty Graduation Challenge and why an evidence-based program that combines cash or asset transfers with mentorship and other forms of financial and social support helps graduate the ultra poor from poverty.

DISTRIBUTION MODEL INNOVATION

JUTO seeks to equip women and youth living in extreme poverty by providing them with the tools, skills, and resources needed to build lasting livelihoods and escape the cycle of poverty.

JUTO will equip participants through business skills training, capital transfer, hands-on mentoring/ coaching, savings/ access to credit, and other life skills training to create income-generating, sustainable businesses and access to loans, credits, and savings, thereby breaking the visual cycle of poverty for themselves and their families.

The program is based on the BOMA – Rural Entrepreneur Access Project (REAP) model which is one of the most successful, sustainable, and cost-effective poverty graduation approaches in the world. The program will entail 16 to 24 months of sequenced interventions with a clear exit strategy and rigorous criteria for success.

The founding of JUTO was led by Genesis Sylvester Kolliemene who has over seven years of experience in civic leadership with a focus on youth advancement, social entrepreneurship, community development, and organizational capacity strengthening. Genesis and his co-founders (Otis S. Timothy, Patience D. Tokpah, and Caleb Larry Boimah) are passionate about leading efforts to address extreme poverty and hunger.

PILOT AND SCALING GOALS

• Directly reach 50 beneficiaries in 3 months.

• Establish 50 new businesses.

• Fundraise $10,000 from local donors and government collaboration.

FOUNDING TEAM

Genesis Sylvester Kolliemene - Founder/ Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Otis S. Timothy - Director of Program Development and Scaling

Patience D. Tokpah - Finance Manager

Caleb Larry Boimah Jr. - Research and Training Lead

GrainAid Agency

POVERTY GRADUATION; UGANDA

PROVEN INTERVENTION TO BE DISTRIBUTED

Poverty Graduation Program

Learn more about the Poverty Graduation Challenge and why an evidence-based program that combines cash or asset transfers with mentorship and other forms of financial and social support helps graduate the ultra poor from poverty.

DISTRIBUTION MODEL INNOVATION

GrainAid Agency works with members of the local community especially women and youth, and other national and international organizations to overcome extreme poverty and hunger through creating access, improving, and diversifying livelihoods.

The GrainAid Agency model ensures that the extremely poor individuals in the community especially women and youth are empowered/enabled to graduate out of extreme poverty and achieve economic and social advancement through a combination of asset building, technical skills training, dedicated coaching and mentoring, and savings as well as social support. The focus on poverty alleviation for the extremely poor reflects our clarity of purpose and our approach which involves building implementation units within the communities, including recruitment and training of community facilitators among people based in the same community with a thorough understanding of the community makes our model affordable and acceptable by the entire community. The chosen solution (poverty graduation) is already proven to work around the world and our approach minimizes the chance of failure by over 95%.

GrainAid Agency was started by Emmanuel Curuma Obia and Gertrude Basirika who have over 18 years of experience in poverty eradication initiatives within Africa and are both passionate about efforts to address poverty and hunger. Emmanuel works full-time at GrainAid Agency as the Executive Director while Gertrude serves on the board of directors as the Treasurer.

PILOT AND SCALING GOALS

• Provide productive livelihood assets to 30 female heads of households thus impacting 120 members of their households, especially children by end of the pilot.

• Provide tailored skills training, coaching, and routine mentoring to 30 female heads of households for effective management of their livelihood initiatives by end of the pilot.

• Raise additional $50,000 by end of the first year

• Scale to serve 600 participants by year 2

FOUNDING TEAM

Emmanuel Curuma Obia - Executive Director

Gertrude Basirika - Board Member

Growth Pathways

POVERTY GRADUATION; UGANDA

PROVEN INTERVENTION TO BE DISTRIBUTED

Poverty Graduation Program

Learn more about the Poverty Graduation Challenge and why an evidence-based program that combines cash or asset transfers with mentorship and other forms of financial and social support helps graduate the ultra poor from poverty.

DISTRIBUTION MODEL INNOVATION

Growth Pathways will implement a 12-month poverty graduation program focused on microenterprise development to help the ultra-poor develop sustainable livelihoods.

Growth Pathways uses a micro enterprise development program with six sequenced interventions: Targeting, business skills training, Conditional Cash Transfer, business savings group, mentoring and social integration. The program is implemented through a network of of Business Mentors and local leaders. The pilot is located in Kamuli District.

Growth Pathways is started in 2022 by Ssempebwa Joseph and Adur Joyce. Joseph serves as Growth Pathways program director.

PILOT AND SCALING GOALS

• Equip 60 participants with business and group saving training, seed capital and mentorship to increase income and savings

• Launch 20 sustainable enterprises within the community

• Fundraise an additional $20,000

• Scale to serve 345 participants by year 2

FOUNDING TEAM

Ssempebwa Joseph - Program Director

Adur Joyce - Partnership Manager

Ssemugooma Fred - Field Coordinator

Rising Roots

POVERTY GRADUATION; UGANDA

PROVEN INTERVENTION TO BE DISTRIBUTED

Gender focused poverty graduation program to ultra-poor women with resources to create sustainable businesses and permanently break the poverty cycle.

Learn more about the Poverty Graduation Challenge and why an evidence-based program that combines cash or asset transfers with mentorship and other forms of financial and social support helps graduate the ultra poor from poverty.

DISTRIBUTION MODEL INNOVATION

Rising Roots empowers last mile marginal households to access resilient and sustainable livelihoods through entrepreneurship.

Rising Roots uses a one year gender focused poverty graduation program to ultra-poor women with resources to create sustainable businesses and permanently break the poverty cycle. The program has six sequenced components: Targeting, Technical Business Training, Seed Capital, Business Savings Groups, Mentoring and Social Integration. The pilot program is implemented in Mayuge District.

PILOT AND SCALING GOALS

• Enroll 60 ultra poor women into the poverty graduation program

• Launch 20 group based businesses within the community

• Raise an additional $15,000

FOUNDING TEAM

Nganda Ben - Program Director

Achen Grace - Field Coordinator

Balyebuga Kelvin - Strategic Partnership and Development Manager