The BOMA Project is featured in a new United Nations documentary that spotlights nine organizations making a difference in confronting climate change. The 22-minute documentary, Climate Heroes: Stories of Change (http://ow.ly/BXTd6), takes a trip around the world to see on-the-ground climate-change action, from Africa to Australia.
In 2013, BOMA was recognized by the United Nations for its innovative work with women living in extreme poverty and impacted by climate change in the drylands of Africa. BOMA was honored in the “Women for Results” category as one of six programs worldwide that “demonstrate the leadership and participation of women in addressing climate change.” After the award was announced, a UN film crew spent four days in Northern Kenya with Co-founder and CEO Kathleen Colson and the BOMA field staff, shooting footage and interviewing women in the remote, rural villages where BOMA works. The documentary was released last week in conjunction with the UN Climate Summit in New York City.
“Action on climate change is not some far-off event,” says UN Environmental Program Goodwill Ambassador Ian Somerhalder (Vampire Diaries, Lost), who narrates the documentary. “There is an enormous groundswell of action already underway to fight climate change. It’s happening right now, all over the world.”
BOMA’s Rural Entrepreneur Access Project (REAP) builds the resiliency of women living in extreme poverty in the drylands of Africa, so they can survive drought and adapt to a changing climate. Through a cash grant and sustained training and mentoring, REAP helps groups of three women—the poorest and most vulnerable—to start a small business in their rural communities. With a sustainable income that’s not tied to the drought-threatened livestock industry, women can feed their families, pay for school fees and medical care, and build up savings for long-term stability. As of September 2014, BOMA has impacted the lives of 7,431 women and more than 37,000 children by launching 2,301 businesses and 315 savings groups. BOMA’s goal is to change the lives of 100,000 women and children by 2018.