SOLO is a non profit, non governmental organization established in 2008. Its establishment is attributed to a group of professionals who, having worked in the aid and development sector cumulatively for over two decades, felt the urgent need to go back to their communities and help them overcome challenges of development. From their long experience in development work in the region with various agencies, they felt they are best placed to act as a bridge between the local communities and partners such as UN agencies, International Non-Governmental organizations and other donors.
Through its integrated program design and delivery approach; SOLO works with local communities and structures to mitigate the effects of drought, floods, conflicts, disease outbreaks and gender-based violence.
SOLO focuses on empowering the less privileged and most vulnerable in order to enhance, strengthen and accelerate development through capacity building, training and mentoring of youth, livelihoods and economic diversification, provision of quality education, health and nutrition, improvement of food security initiatives, environmental conservation and promotion of peace and harmony across different groups.
The organization also provides tailor-made trainings; researches and capacity strengthening to Local Authorities and Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) to ensure good governance and rule of law at all levels (i.e. Local; Regional and National). SOLO advocates for inclusivity and human rights protection of all to create positive environment for individuals to fulfill and realize their potentials.
SOLO’s capacity and strength in executing programs in Kenya and Somalia/Somaliland particularly in areas of operation lies in the close partnership and participation of the communities throughout the Project Cycle Management (PCM).
Objectives
- To promote sustainable food security and income generation through improved crop production, animal husbandry, infrastructure rehabilitation, cash-based livelihood interventions, improved markets and market chain linkages.
- To contribute to enhanced political stability in regions of Somalia
- To strengthen the local, regional mediations and conflict resolution mechanisms thus reducing the number of active conflicts in the regions of Somalia
- To enhance education and skill training opportunities for youth and adults and strengthen educational systems and livelihood standards of communities.
- To improve access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities and facilitate acceptable standards of humanitarian services for displaced persons and refugees and vulnerable host communities.
- To promote improved access to primary health and nutrition services for the conflict, drought, disease and disease stricken communities
- To advocate for responsible utilization and management of natural resources while protecting the environment.
- To advocate for good governance, human rights protection and peaceful coexistence.
- To conduct surveys and studies that will promote strategic planning and informed decision-making processes.
Our Value
The essence of communities lies in their capacity to weave their diversities into
a common strength against adversities. Traditional Somali society is characterized by
gender and other social disparities, which impact developmental efforts. In order to give
all sectors of society within our areas of operation equal opportunities, SOLO ensures all
our interventions are based on the scale and level of need and not on the identity or
characteristics of any specific community group.
The value of any inquiry lies in the usefulness of its findings and the
appropriateness of the methodology used in the inquiry. SOLO seeks to generate evidence
that is of immediate use to communities served in their quest for integrated sustainable
development. Our services are thus the result of credible processes that are easily
verifiable.
SOLO embraces change; and we are always open to new ideas and concepts. We
take challenges as opportunities for learning and to develop more sustainable solutions for communities we work with and for ourselves.
SOLO holds every person to be worthy of respect. We consciously uphold and
promote the dignity of all our clients in all our dealings.
SOLO is committed to upholding the highest moral standards in its operations
(as an institution) and holds its employees to the same. In this respect we interact with
others honestly and never comprise our reputation.
"We provides tailor-made trainings; researches and capacity strengthening to Local Authorities and Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) to ensure good governance and rule of law at all levels."
Mission
Inspire and promote community-driven sustainable development initiatives through
participatory and rights-based approaches, ensuring quality humanitarian services and equitable access to resources to promote peace and justice in the Horn of Africa.
Vision
Empowered communities in the Horn of Africa who live in dignity, peace and prosperity.
Beneficiary
- Local population
- Local, religious and traditional elders
- Civil society and peace activists
- Common and district peace committees
- Victims of disasters and those in Humanitarian Emergency
- Children, Youth, Women and the elderly
- Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and Returnees
- Pastoralists, Rural and Urban poor
- Poor farmers and fisher folks