The Ignite Initiative program uses the collective power of ICF chapters, members and credential holders to accelerate the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These Ignite Projects are six-month coaching engagements, offered at a reduced fee, to support organizations aligned with the UN Global Goals.
One of the 2023 Ignite Projects included an organization called Life Bloom Services International, which focuses on SDG #5, Gender Equality.
Kenya faces a significant challenge with Gender-Based Violence (GBV) against children, with devastating consequences for their physical and mental well-being, education, and future prospects, according to Life Bloom Services International. The key drivers to violence against women and girls are financial hardship and limited access to education.
Life Bloom’s vision is a world where vulnerable women and children survivors of human trafficking and sexual exploitation regain choice and control over their lives, health and livelihoods in order for them to develop the independent and safe future they deserve.
During the year 2023, Life Bloom requested for their women leaders and beneficiaries to receive pro bono coaching through an Ignite Project. Sixteen (16) community grassroots leaders received a total of forty-three (43) virtual coaching sessions during the period of March 2023 – October 2023. The outcomes of coaching helped Life Bloom, and the women leaders improve their program outcomes, productivity, employee engagement, well-being, career development, work life balance, and ability to manage and develop people.
Catherine Wanjohi, ACC
CEO of Life Bloom Services
International
Catherine Wanjohi, ACC, CEO of Life Bloom Services International and Professional Mentor with International Mentoring Center (IMC) shares, “As a community development expert, taking the Gift of Coaching to the grassroot community leadership was my desire for very many years. Thanks to ICF Foundation the ‘Ignite Project 2023’ provided great opportunity for this initiative in Naivasha/Nakuru County.“
She also shares that, “The experience and transformation was, and continues to be, immense, propelling these leaders to continue unleashing their resources, charting the Path in Life and influencing change through the organizations they serve.“
Damaris, a Community Volunteer with Life Bloom and Ignite Coaching Client shares the impact of the coaching she received during this project.
“…Coaching has helped me to identify my potential. I am able to make informed decisions, I have been able to know my worth, my value and who I am. I am able to think beyond, to see and have gained my freedom in my career growth and recently I was trained and graduated as a community counselor at Life Bloom thank you for the Ignite Project.“
Damaris
Community Volunteer with Life Bloom and Ignite Coaching Client
Coaching can have a profound impact on individuals, organizations, and the SDGs themselves, when it is made accessible. Through the Ignite Initiative program, the ICF Foundation’s goal is to make coaching accessible to organizations supporting the SDGs, so they can advance their work and social impact efforts. This same idea is shared with Catherine Wanjohi’s closing call for action, “Professional Coaching must be brought down to the grassroot communities that propel change and transformation in sustainable ways if we are looking to fasten the achievement of the SDGs. The communities must come first! They are the drivers of sustainable change, they know what they want, and with the gift of coaching availed to them in affordable ways, they know how to bring this change!“
You can support the Ignite Initiative in helping organizations such as Life Bloom by becoming a volunteer coach, launching an Ignite Project, and donating to help support the continued work of the ICF Foundation.
