Sunflower Trust

Mission: To build a peaceful and equitable world through holistic education of the world’s most vulnerable children.

Vision: A just and vibrant world where every child has the opportunity for success.

Core Values

Diversity: We embrace and celebrate diversity in all its forms. We respect and honor individuals regardless of their background, promoting inclusivity.

 Integrity: We are guided by unwavering integrity, believing that the time is always right to do what is right.

 Pursuit of Knowledge: We value education and are committed to creating opportunities for all children to explore, create, and acquire knowledge.

 Compassion: Our work is driven by compassion, and we serve with open hearts, dedication, and passion, creating communities rooted in love and support.

The Team Lead is responsible for setting the strategic direction of the organization, aligning it with the goals, mission, and values. They provide vision and guidance to ensure the project's objectives are met effectively.

The Team Lead serves as the main point of contact for the organization, representing Sunflower to external stakeholders, partners, and judges. 

The Team Lead oversees all aspects of the organization, including planning, execution, monitoring, and evaluation. They ensure that the projects stays true to its original intent and maintains fidelity to the organization's mission and values.

The Team Lead leads and supports the project team, providing direction, motivation, and mentorship to ensure team members are equipped to carry out their roles effectively. They foster a collaborative and inclusive team environment.

The Team Lead is responsible for making key decisions related to the organization, including resource allocation, risk management, and problem-solving. They use their authority and expertise to guide the project towards success.

Overall, the Team Lead plays a critical role in driving the success of Sunflower Trust's projects ensuring that it makes a meaningful impact on the organization's mission to provide holistic educational support to vulnerable children.

Sunflower Trust is well-positioned to effectively support the LEAP Project through our experienced Team Lead and supporting team members, despite other priorities within our organization. Our commitment to providing holistic educational support to vulnerable children remains unwavering, and we recognize the importance of allocating resources effectively to ensure the success of initiatives like the LEAP Project.

Our Team Lead, Rukia Sebit, brings extensive experience and expertise in educational development and project management. With a background in leading initiatives aimed at improving educational outcomes for vulnerable populations, Rukia is well-equipped to provide strategic direction and leadership to the LEAP Project. Her strong communication skills and ability to build partnerships will be instrumental in representing Sunflower Trust to external stakeholders and ensuring the project stays aligned with our mission and values.

Supporting Rukia is a dedicated team of senior-level staff members who are committed to the organization's mission and have the capacity to contribute to the LEAP Project. While our team members may have other responsibilities within the organization, we are confident in their ability to prioritize and allocate time effectively to support the project. Additionally, our team members bring diverse skills and perspectives to the table, including expertise in program implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and stakeholder engagement, which will be invaluable in driving the success of the LEAP Project.

To ensure that the LEAP Project receives the attention and resources it deserves, our organization is committed to providing dedicated support and allocating sufficient time for project-related activities. We understand the importance of balancing competing priorities and have mechanisms in place to manage workloads and ensure that our team members can commit the necessary time and effort to the project.

In summary, Sunflower Trust's Team Lead and supporting team members are well-positioned to effectively support the LEAP Project, leveraging their expertise, experience, and commitment to our mission. Despite other priorities within the organization, we are dedicated to making the LEAP Project a priority and ensuring its success in contributing to our overarching goal of providing holistic educational support to vulnerable children.

Sunflower Early Education & Development (SEED), focuses on children (2-6years) from the underserved communities by providing accessible and high-quality education.

Sunflower Trust is addressing the pressing issue of inadequate access to quality early childhood education for children aged 2-6 years, particularly those residing in informal settlements like the Kibera Slums.

Lack of Access: Many children in informal settlements lack access to early childhood education facilities due to financial constraints, limited infrastructure, and inadequate resources. This deprives them of a crucial foundation for future learning.

Low School Readiness: Children entering primary school without prior exposure to early education often struggle academically and face higher dropout rates, perpetuating the cycle of poverty.

Inequality: The problem exacerbates inequalities, as children from economically disadvantaged backgrounds are disproportionately affected, widening the education gap.

Limited Parental Engagement: Parents in informal settlements may not be aware of the importance of early childhood education or face barriers that hinder their involvement in their child's learning.

The Program is designed to provide holistic and comprehensive support to children in the age group of 26 years, particularly those in Kenya's informal settlements like the Kibera Slums. The programme which has been implemented since 2018, aligns with the Nurturing Care Framework and focuses on five key components:

1. Health and Well-being:

We provide nutritious hot meals and snacks to ensure children's physical well-being. We facilitate access to healthcare services, including vaccinations and regular health check-ups. Promote good hygiene practices to prevent illness and infections.

2. Responsive Caregiving:

Our dedicated team of trained educators offers nurturing and responsive care and we use child -centered approach as we prioritize each child's unique needs, fostering emotional bonds and promoting healthy development.

3. Early Learning:

We create a child-friendly learning environment with age-appropriate toys, books, and interactive materials. Curriculum includes play-based activities that enhance cognitive, motor, and social skills. Sunflower emphasizes on language development through storytelling, songs, and creative expression.

4. Safety and Security:

Ensure a safe physical environment with childproofing measures, implement safety protocols and emergency response plans.

5. Family and Community Engagement:

Engage parents and caregivers in their child's education through workshops, meetings, and home visits. Collaborate with local organizations and leaders to create a supportive community network.

What Sets Our Program Apart:

Our program is staffed by trained educators who understand the specific needs of young children. We provide a curriculum that blends play-based learning with early literacy and numeracy skills. Sunflower actively involves parents and caregivers in their child's educational journey, equipping them with the knowledge and tools to support their child's development at home.

Sunflower Trust ensures a seamless transition to primary education by preparing children academically and socially, enhancing their school readiness.

We actively engage with the community to foster a sense of ownership and create a supportive ecosystem that extends beyond our program.

By addressing the five components and tailoring our approach to the unique needs of children in informal settlements, our Early Years Program is well-equipped to fulfill children's holistic needs and provide them with the best possible start in life.

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Sunflower Trust recognizes the critical importance of evidence-based approaches in addressing the complex challenges faced by vulnerable children in underserved communities, particularly in the context of early childhood education. While our SEED program has been operating since 2018, we acknowledge the need to strengthen the evidence base of our solution to enhance its effectiveness, scalability, and long-term impact.

Currently, our SEED program is based on best practices and insights gathered from our on-the-ground experience, as well as existing research and literature on early childhood development. However, we recognize that there is a need to deepen our understanding of the specific factors that contribute to the success of our program and to identify areas for improvement.

Engaging in a LEAP Project at this juncture presents an opportune moment for Sunflower Trust to strengthen the evidence base of our solution for several reasons:

Scale and Impact: As we aim to expand our SEED program to serve more children in underserved communities, it is imperative that we have a robust evidence base to support our efforts. By conducting implementation research and generating new evidence, we can ensure that our program is effectively scaled up to reach a larger number of beneficiaries while maintaining quality and impact.

Continuous Improvement: Sunflower Trust is committed to continuous learning and improvement. Engaging in a LEAP Project provides us with the opportunity to systematically assess the effectiveness of our program, identify areas for refinement, and implement evidence-based interventions to address any challenges or gaps.

Stakeholder Engagement: Strengthening the evidence base of our solution also enhances our credibility and ability to engage with key stakeholders, including government agencies, donors, and partner organizations. By demonstrating the effectiveness of our program through rigorous research and evaluation, we can garner greater support and collaboration from stakeholders invested in early childhood development.

Timeliness: Given the growing recognition of the importance of early childhood education and the increasing emphasis on evidence-based approaches in the development sector, now is an ideal time for Sunflower Trust to engage in a LEAP Project. By seizing this opportunity, we can position ourselves as leaders in the field and contribute to the broader movement for evidence-based programming in early childhood development.

In summary, engaging in a LEAP Project is essential for Sunflower Trust to strengthen the evidence base of our SEED program, enhance our impact, and ensure the long-term success of our efforts to improve the lives of vulnerable children in underserved communities.

How can we optimize the delivery of our SEED program to maximize efficiency and scalability while maintaining high-quality outcomes for children in underserved communities?

What strategies can be implemented to enhance parental engagement and involvement in their child's early childhood education within the context of informal settlements?
How can we adapt our SEED program to better address the specific needs and challenges faced by children from diverse cultural backgrounds and linguistic contexts?

For our 12-week LEAP Project sprint, we aim to focus on both formative and summative research methods to strengthen the evidence base of our SEED program. Here are the desired outputs we envision:

Formative Research Methods:
Literature Review: Our LEAP Fellows will conduct a comprehensive review of existing literature on early childhood education, particularly focusing on interventions targeting children in informal settlements. This review will help us identify best practices, evidence-based approaches, and gaps in current knowledge.

Stakeholder Interviews: We will conduct semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders, including parents, caregivers, educators, and community leaders. These interviews will provide valuable insights into the specific needs, challenges, and priorities of our target population. We aim to understand perceptions of our SEED program, barriers to participation, and potential areas for improvement.
Observation and Data Collection: Our Fellows will spend time observing SEED program sessions and collecting qualitative and quantitative data on various aspects such as child engagement, learning outcomes, and parental involvement. This observational data will help us assess program implementation fidelity and identify areas of strength and weakness.

Summative Research Methods:
Program Evaluation Framework: Based on the findings from our formative research, we will develop a program evaluation framework with clear indicators and metrics to assess the impact of our SEED program. This framework will guide our data collection and analysis efforts during and beyond the LEAP Project sprint.

Surveys and Assessments: We will design and administer surveys and assessments to measure changes in parental attitudes and behaviors, child developmental outcomes, and overall program satisfaction. These tools will allow us to quantitatively evaluate the effectiveness of our intervention and identify areas for improvement.
Data Analysis and Report Writing: Our Fellows will analyze the collected data using appropriate statistical methods and qualitative analysis techniques. The findings will be synthesized into a comprehensive report outlining the key findings, conclusions, and recommendations for program refinement and scale-up.
Overall, our desired outputs from the LEAP Project sprint include a robust evidence base that informs the continuous improvement and scaling of our SEED program. By leveraging both formative and summative research methods, we aim to generate actionable insights that drive positive change and maximize the impact of our early childhood education intervention in underserved communities.

Following the conclusion of the LEAP Project sprint and the generation of outputs from our research, Sunflower Trust is committed to putting these outputs into action to strengthen and enhance our SEED program. Here's how we plan to utilize the findings:

Program Refinement: We will carefully review the recommendations and insights derived from the formative and summative research methods conducted during the LEAP Project sprint. These findings will inform iterative improvements to our SEED program, including curriculum enhancements, pedagogical adjustments, and modifications to program delivery modalities. For example, if stakeholder interviews reveal challenges with parental engagement, we may develop targeted strategies to increase parental involvement, such as workshops or home visitation programs.

Scaling and Replication: The evidence generated through the LEAP Project sprint will serve as a foundation for scaling our SEED program to additional communities and regions. We will use the validated program evaluation framework and outcome measures to assess the feasibility and impact of expansion efforts. By leveraging the insights gained from the research, we aim to replicate successful components of our intervention in new settings while adapting to local contextual factors and needs.

Advocacy and Knowledge Sharing: Sunflower Trust is committed to advocating for evidence-based policies and practices in early childhood education. We will disseminate the findings from our research through various channels, including academic publications, policy briefs, and presentations at conferences and workshops. By sharing our learnings with key stakeholders, policymakers, and practitioners, we hope to influence decision-making processes and promote greater investment in high-quality early childhood education initiatives.

Continuous Monitoring and Evaluation: The outputs generated during the LEAP Project sprint will serve as a baseline for ongoing monitoring and evaluation efforts. We will implement a systematic data collection and analysis process to track changes in program outcomes over time and identify areas requiring further attention or improvement. By establishing a culture of continuous learning and adaptation, we aim to ensure the long-term sustainability and effectiveness of our SEED program.

Overall, Sunflower Trust is committed to translating the research outputs from the LEAP Project sprint into tangible actions that drive positive change and maximize the impact of our early childhood education intervention. By integrating evidence-based practices and continuous improvement strategies into our programmatic approach, we strive to provide vulnerable children with the best possible start in life and empower them to reach their full potential.

The desired long-term outcomes of the 12-week LEAP Project sprint for Sunflower Trust and our SEED program are multifaceted, encompassing both organizational growth and enhanced programmatic impact.

For Sunflower Trust:

Enhanced Capacity: We aim to strengthen our organization's capacity to conduct rigorous research and evidence-based decision-making. By engaging in the LEAP Project sprint, our team members will develop valuable skills in research design, data analysis, and program evaluation. This enhanced capacity will enable us to contribute more effectively to the field of early childhood education and position Sunflower Trust as a leader in evidence-based practice.

Strategic Direction: The insights and recommendations generated through the LEAP Project sprint will inform our organization's strategic direction and programmatic priorities. By aligning our interventions with evidence-based best practices and addressing identified gaps and challenges, we will be better equipped to achieve our mission of providing high-quality education to vulnerable children. This strategic alignment will enhance the overall effectiveness and sustainability of our efforts.

Partnerships and Collaboration: Through the LEAP Project sprint, we aim to forge new partnerships and collaborations with like-minded organizations, researchers, and stakeholders. By sharing our research findings and collaborating on joint initiatives, we can amplify our impact and reach a broader audience. These partnerships will facilitate knowledge exchange, resource sharing, and collective action towards improving early childhood education outcomes.

For the SEED Program:

Improved Program Effectiveness: The research outputs produced during the LEAP Project sprint will enable us to identify areas for program improvement and optimization. By implementing evidence-based recommendations and best practices, we can enhance the effectiveness and quality of our SEED program. This, in turn, will lead to better outcomes for children, including improved school readiness, cognitive development, and overall well-being.

Increased Reach and Impact: Armed with validated research findings, we will be better positioned to scale our SEED program to reach more children and communities in need. By expanding our programmatic footprint and replicating successful components of our intervention, we can extend the benefits of early childhood education to a larger population of vulnerable children. This increased reach will contribute to greater social equity and opportunity for underserved communities.

Sustainable Change: Ultimately, the long-term goal of the LEAP Project sprint is to facilitate sustainable change in the early childhood education landscape. By generating robust evidence, advocating for evidence-based policies, and building capacity within our organization and broader ecosystem, we aim to create lasting improvements in the lives of children and families. Through continuous learning, adaptation, and innovation, we aspire to catalyze transformative change that transcends individual programs and initiatives.

Overall, the desired long-term outcomes of the LEAP Project sprint for Sunflower Trust and our SEED program are rooted in the principles of evidence-based practice, strategic collaboration, and sustainable impact. By leveraging research outputs to inform our organizational strategy and programmatic efforts, we seek to advance our mission of providing equitable access to high-quality early childhood education for all children.