The Akon Foundation is driven by the mission to empower individuals to better manage their lives within their communities. Remarkably, the foundation began as an initiative two years ago without any fixed resources, yet it has accomplished significant milestones without relying on donor support.
The foundation addresses several pressing social issues, including gender-based violence, domestic violence, resource management, and behavioural challenges in children, such as violence and bullying. To tackle these concerns, the Akon Foundation has implemented a range of initiatives. These include the Space for Children and Mothers Initiative, the Recycling Initiative for Children, the Recycling Space Initiative for Mothers, and the “On the Bench” Initiative, which educates mothers on child-rearing practices. One of the foundation’s standout achievements is the Akon Space Initiative, which served as the launchpad for much of their ongoing work.
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Our Partnership
The decision to partner with Aflatoun was influenced by the founder’s experience as a former trainer, where they witnessed the programme’s significant impact on children. This led to the integration of the Aflatoun curriculum into the foundation’s efforts, enhancing the social and financial literacy of the community.
In a community where 85% of the population is engaged in waste collection, sorting, and plastic recycling, it is vital to equip children, many of whom start working at a young age, with essential social and financial skills. The Akon Foundation’s initiatives aim to provide these skills, enabling young people to improve and manage their lives more effectively.
In the Garbage Collectors’ neighbourhood of Manshiyat Nasser, children enrolled in the Aflatoun programme are gaining invaluable life skills that are shaping their understanding of the world around them. Through the lesson on needs and wants, these young learners have started to grasp the crucial difference between what is essential and what is merely desirable. For instance, they discussed scenarios like the difference between needing a new coat for winter and wanting ten coats in every colour. This lesson is helping them to prioritise their needs more effectively in the future.
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Recycling with Purpose: Creative Projects from the Aflatoun Programme
Kyrillos, a 12-year-old participant, shared his newfound insight: “Now I know how to distinguish between something I need and something that’s just a want. If I don’t get it, it’s okay.”
Similarly, Marcel, aged 13, expressed how the programme has influenced his financial habits: “I was able to create a savings notebook to track my money and understand whether I’m spending more on needs or wants.”
In another part of the programme, the children have also learned about the importance of conserving resources and protecting the environment. This awareness has led them to recycle everyday items creatively—such as turning juice boxes into models of small houses and making a tic-tac-toe game from empty egg cartons. Their growing commitment to sustainability is evident as they now bring old materials to the foundation for reuse.
One such example is Rasha, who, after understanding the importance of conserving resources, donated some adhesive materials she discovered while sorting through rubbish. Her contribution reflects the programme’s success in instilling a sense of responsibility towards the environment.
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