Visit a programme
Visiting charitable programmes can be a delicate subject. Programme partners and Savings Group members enjoy meeting supporters, but we're not in the business of 'fixing' those who have been marginalised. The aim of these visits is to learn from these communities and our partners - it’s not so much ‘Go & Give’, more ‘Learn & Return’.
We are able to take a small number of supporters and advocates to visit our partners and meet members each year. We’d like to take every supporter, but inevitably we have to work out whether this is best for you and for our partners. On our trips you have the opportunity to meet micro-entrepreneurs whose lives are being transformed thanks to Five Talents' unique savings, loans and business skills programme.
We are in the process of planning two trips this year:
Kenya: 30 April - 8 May 2023
Tanzania: 10-17 October 2023
Although COVID-19 does still pose some risk, we are taking special precautions and following government guidelines ahead of our visit. If you are interested in attending any of our trips or want to find out more information, please feel free to email us at info@fivetalents.org.uk
On one of our field trips you will have the opportunity to meet the people you are helping and to see first-hand the impact your support is making
"I FEEL THAT 'HUMBLED' IS OFTEN A MISUSED AND THEREFORE DEVALUED TERM - BUT I CAN SAY THAT ON EVERY STEP OF MY TIME IN KENYA I FELT HUMBLED BY THE KINDNESS, HOSPITALITY AND GENEROSITY OF EVERYONE I CAME ACROSS."
- EDMUND WILDISH
While on the trip you'll have the opportunity to meet some of the thousands of people supported by our programmes in eastern Africa, find out more about the businesses they run and how our partners have worked with them. You will hear inspiring stories of people working together as a community in difficult circumstances to grow their businesses and support themselves and their families. You'll also spend time with the staff finding out what is involved in the day to day running of the programme as well as the challenges they face working in often remote and difficult situations.
Common Questions:
Who: Past trips have benefitted major funders, key volunteers, those wanting to be long-term supporters and those who want to see the impact their support has had.
Where: It varies, most trips last about a week.
When: It varies, usually in Spring and Autumn.
How much: £1500 - £2000 (depending on the price of your flight; these have gone up of late).
Typically we ask you to book your own flight, visas, vaccinations and insurance, whilst we will book all internal transport and accommodation, sharing the costs with you.
Whatever your interest, the trip is sure to leave a lasting impact.
A typical itinerary:
Day 1: International flight
Day 2: Onward travel to the region we are visiting (these tend to be some distance from the capital city).
Days 3 - 4: Visit Savings Groups and Literacy Groups to understand how they operate, witness the trainings delivered, visit entrepreneurs at their businesses.
Day 5: Perhaps attend church or fit in some sightseeing - maybe even a half day safari, depending on location; or visit more Groups and entrepreneurs.
Days 6-7: The return journey home (although many supporters choose to stay on for a holiday, whether beach, lake, mountain or game park).
We welcome requests for groups to visit programmes, whether it is comprised of members of a company, school, church, or other organisation.
Travelling to a programme is a powerful experience for any group of people seeking to develop long-term links with another community.
For more details, please email us at info@fivetalents.org.uk