The Enactus teams from University of Eldoret and The University of Nairobi have been selected by Ford Motor Company Fund to receive USD 1,000 each to implement their community empowerment projects. The Projects run in partnership with the Ford Motor Company Fund and global non-profit organization Enactus.

The main focus of the award-winning projects is creation of a cooling food storage system and empowering “street children” to improved livelihoods. The two community projects in Kenya will receive funding and support through October 2016 as part of the Ford C3 Building Sustainable Communities Project Partnership with Enactus.

Enactus is a global Non-Profit Organization that brings together students, academic professionals and business leaders who are committed to using entrepreneurial action to improve lives.

The Ford College Community Challenge (C3) initiative mobilizes university students to empower communities to become more sustainable places to work and live. Within the program, student-led community projects are being chosen in Brazil, Germany, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, South Africa and the United Kingdom that will address critical community needs through self-sustaining projects.

This is the second year of the Ford Community College Challenge in Kenya. This year, Enactus teams from University of Eldoret and University of Nairobi have been selected be part of the change makers in Society for Ford Cycle 3 (C3). These projects, like in the first two cycles will go towards providing solutions to challenges and empowering the community in a significant way.

The University of Eldoret Enactus team seeks to reduce food waste and protect the income of farmers by designing and building solar-powered cold rooms to provide an affordable storage solution. The team’s design includes low-cost materials and sensor-based technology that can monitor the storage environment and alert users via SMS to changes in temperature and humidity. Farmers can subscribe to the cold room daily, weekly or monthly, allowing them to store their food all year-round at an affordable price.

The University of Nairobi Enactus team will partner with local rehabilitation centers that serve street children. The aim of the project is to create handicrafts, such as wall hangings, handbags, clothes, and jewelry, using mostly recycled material that can sell with generous profits to financially support rehabilitation efforts while providing a creative outlet for the participating youth. The team will train caregivers and youth while engaging in mentorship and follow-up programs with the youth.

Both teams will submit a Final Impact Report in October 2016 to detail the success of their projects.

Enactus mobilizes 1,700+ university programs in 36 countries across the globe. An annual series of regional and national competitions provides a forum for teams to showcase the impact of their outreach efforts and to be evaluated by executives serving as judges. National champion teams advance to the prestigious Enactus World Cup to experience excellence in competition, collaboration and celebration. The 2016 Enactus World Cup will be held in Toronto, Canada, from September 28-30.

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About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Michigan manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 194,000 employees and 67 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit http://www.corporate.ford.com.for/ news releases, related materials and high-resolution photos and video, visit http://www.media.ford.comor/ http://www.quickpic.co.za/.

Contact(s): Alisea Chetty
Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa
+27 12 842 2707
achetty2@ford.com
Todd Nissen
Ford Motor Company Fund
+1 313 322 4898
tnissen@ford.com

About Enactus Kenya

Enactus is an international organization that brings together student, academic and business leaders who are committed to using the power of entrepreneurial action to shape a better, more sustainable world. Guided by faculty advisors and business experts, participating students form teams on their campuses to create and implement community projects that empower people in need. The experience not only transforms lives, it helps students develop the skills and perspective necessary to become effective, values-driven leaders. Founded in 1975, today Enactus has more than 66,500 student participants on campuses in 36 countries.

For more information, contact Enactus World Headquarters at +1 417-831-9505 or visit http://www.enactus.org/