About
The Sumerian Foundation helps to eliminate poverty by supporting and empowering children to build a better future through the development of self-sustaining social enterprises.
“The work of the Sumerian Foundation attempts to build sustainable economic outcomes for the people and communities we work with, we’re not interested in handing over a cheque, we are interested in giving people the same opportunities we’ve enjoyed in the West – education, opportunity and choice – to build a future for themselves, their families and their communities.”
David Sibbald, Founder of the Sumerian Foundation
Empowering people with social enterprises
For each of our philanthropic programmes, we adopt the same entrepreneurial approach we have to running a business. We'll work with good people, we'll understand what we're trying to achieve, we'll measure it and we'll make sure it's economically self-sustaining whenever that's possible. Most importantly, we believe in empowering people to take responsibility for their own lives.
A great example of this approach is the transformation of destitute teenage girls into independent fashion producers for our designer label Johari. Johari fashion is now sold in the best shopping malls in Kenya and worn by several famous celebrities and pop stars.
Learn more about our programmes
Working in partnership
The five core partners of the Foundation invest time, expertise and funding into our programmes and social enterprises. 100% of the profit made through any of our social enterprises is reinvested back into the running and expansion of our programmes, providing children with care, education and economic opportunities from infancy to adulthood – teaching them the skills that lead to a self-sustaining life.
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Recent articles
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A Christmas message from Kibera
December 1, 2008 -
Alison on Kibera and Ayany Primary School
August 22, 2008 -
A Treasurer Tale
August 22, 2008 -
An African Adventure
July 14, 2008 -
A week in the life of a sumerian volunteer - Sarah Ager
June 25, 2008