East Africa Character Development Trust

Who we are

East Africa Character Development Trust (EACDT) was founded in 2013 and began operations in 2014. Its founders had strong links with East Africa, having either been born, educated or worked there.

Our Mission is to provide vital life skills to disadvantaged East African children to enable them to elevate the quality of their lives and futures.

Our Vision is to have a world where all young East Africans can become positive contributors to Society.

Our programme imparts the following 8 Key Characteristics that are widely recognized as the best facilitators of personal and professional advancement: integrity, enthusiasm, perseverance, self-control, optimism, gratitude, curiosity and social intelligence.

Our project

Cricket-based Youth Development Programme

The COSARAF Foundation has a significant three-year partnership with the East Africa Character Development Trust (EACDT) for its ground-breaking youth development programme in Kenya which uses cricket as a powerful vehicle by which to develop the character traits essential for long-term success.

EACDT develop character of young boys and girls from underprivileged communities in Nairobi and its environs through sports (cricket). They run a school-based and a community-based programme in the slum communities for young boys and girls aged 9 years and above. Their school-based programme has benefited over 15,000 young boys and girls since 2014 and has been implemented in 22 schools. They work in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and support the implementation of the new Competency-Based Curriculum in Kenya.

Their community-based programme seeks to develop sporting talent and character of the youth in the communities around our schools. They run a community-based cricket league. They work in collaboration with the Kenya Association of the Deaf and have a team of over 40 deaf youngsters who participate in their community cricket league. This is in addition to the children living with disabilities in their school who participate in the programme.

The programme instils life skills, values and attitudes that enable children to reach their potential at school, at home, in their communities and in the workplace. EACDT know from statistics and feedback that they have made a major contribution to improved performance in their partner schools. Teachers have stated that the programme has improved discipline, school attendance and the concentration span of children in classes. EACDT have helped young people develop strong character foundations that enhance their confidence, self-esteem and resilience.

Testimonial

“Central to the COSARAF Foundation’s mission is our aim to enable young people to reach their potential, enabling those from disadvantaged backgrounds to develop their skills and take advantage of opportunities which would otherwise be closed to them. The East Africa Character Development Trust programme in Kenya is an exceptional programme and the Foundation is delighted to be able to be partnering with them in supporting some of the very poorest children in Kenya to succeed in life.”