Educate Local Leaders for Community Development

Thanks to your continued support, GRACE Cares made measurable progress in 2025 and we have the numbers to back up our impact. GRACE Cares is a lean operating model directing 90% of expenditures to programs. As you will read below, your donations supported practical, community-led interventions that are producing real results.

Kenya – Watha Project 

IIn 2025, Watha delivered 9 WASH workshops across 6 villages, training 556 community members (211 men and 345 women) in safe water, sanitation, and hygiene practices. The project also distributed 10 beehives and supported small-scale irrigation efforts, resulting in reported agricultural outputs of 19 maize yields and 17 crates of tomatoes. These activities combined health education with income-generating support, reinforcing long-term sustainability.

Guatemala – GuateBuena Association ‍  

GRACE Cares is proud to support the GuateBuena Association’s economic empowerment and financial literacy programs. In 2025, community banks supported by GuateBuena reported $185,583 in savings, $47,978 in profits, and $1,198 in social funds, while capacity-building activities reached 350+ families. The COFOCOPI cooperative reported 14 members, $23,000 in savings, and $4,000 in profits. GuateBuena also supported 80+ women artisans through the Ixoqi program, resulting in the sale of 21,000 hats, and facilitated the installation of 140 efficient cookstoves, benefiting 140 families through improved household safety and fuel efficiency.

Zambia – YOCUPA   

In Zambia, GRACE Cares supported YOCUPA’s youth-led theatre and training initiatives addressing child abuse, gender-based violence, and social behavior change. 22 young artists were trained and engaged in a national theatre production, reaching approximately 300 audience members at its premiere and 600 students at Matero Girls Secondary School. YOCUPA also trained 30 district-level stakeholders and 32 local artists in Theatre for Community Action, followed by a community test performance that reached approximately 500 community members.

Dominican Republic – Project Hearts 

In the Dominican Republic, the Youth Empowerment Program served 114 youth, with 82% attending all nine sessions and 95% completing the program. Six participants received educational aid, and three secured scholarships. Community learning activities reached 565 adults, teens, and children, including 172 youth in school-based workshops and 137 participants receiving health education led by Community Health Leader (CHL) trainees. Additionally, Project Hearts expanded clean water access to 335 people through 101 household water tanks, with 90% of associated micro-loans on track or repaid, supporting ongoing impact beyond the initial investment.

Zambia – MYEP 

In Zambia, GRACE Cares’ parner MYEP focused on literacy and school engagement. In 2025, the Books on Wheels initiative delivered 42 reading sessions, engaging 1,680 pupils (775 boys and 915 girls), and schools reported a 25% increase in pupil attendance. MYEP also established 2 Nutrition Clubs, assigned 1 nutrition officer, and partnered with 2 hospitals, strengthening the link between education and child health services.

Looking Ahead

These results reflect GRACE Cares’ commitment to locally led development, where modest investments in training and education enable communities to design and sustain their own solutions. As we move forward, your support will allow us to continue strengthening leadership, expanding access to knowledge, and building systems that create lasting change.

Thank you for believing in community-driven impact and for helping ensure that your donations are put to meaningful use.

Warmly,
The GRACE Cares Team

Links:

• GRACE Cares Partner Projects
• Sign up for GRACE Cares Monthly Newsletter Here