Our Approach
Development that grows like an ecosystem.
At Life In Abundance, we believe that true transformation begins when people combine their strengths and shape their environment as a living system. When this happens, change grows from within – sustainable and self-driven, even after we as an NGO have stepped back.
Rather than importing external solutions, we build on what already exists: We equip local leaders, activate existing resources, and accompany the process over a period of three years. After that, we deliberately withdraw – confident that local actors are the best stewards of their own communities.
Our approach is: inside-out, systemic, multiplying, and marked by dignity.
Discover where and how we work – with concrete examples from the areas of livelihoods, health, education, and social care.
Where We Work
Life In Abundance operates in 14 countries – primarily in East Africa, the Horn of Africa, and the Great Lakes region, as well as in the Caribbean.
Our country programmes are based in:
Kenya, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Sudan, Djibouti, Egypt, Somaliland, Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Eritrea – alongside Haiti and Jamaica, two Caribbean nations with deep African roots and strong cultural ties.
Our Programmes
How our vision becomes reality
Our work focuses on four programme areas that respond to the most pressing needs – as identified by the communities themselves:
health, education, economic development, and social engagement.
Economic Development
Effective poverty reduction starts by helping families generate their own income:
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- Training for microentrepreneurs
- Savings and loan groups as an alternative to high-interest credit
- Cooperatives: community-run businesses, such as maize milling operations
- Support for agriculture and horticulture
Health
Improving health in a community takes more than medical care alone.
That’s why we combine access to affordable basic healthcare with prevention and education:
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- Establishing health centres in areas without hospital access
- Health and hygiene education
- HIV/AIDS testing and personalised counselling
- Community-based strategies to address malnutrition
Education
Education is a cornerstone of sustainable development.
We focus on early childhood development, access to primary education,
and practical training for adolescents and young adults:
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- Programs for Early childhood development
- Access to education – Economically disadvantaged parents receive a farm animal (e.g. a goat), enabling them to generate income and sustainably cover their children’s school fees. This approach is both effective and dignified.
- Skills training in tailoring and other income-generating activities, with a focus on supporting single mothers
Social Engagement
In every region where Life In Abundance is active, local leaders are committed to addressing social challenges – particularly where people are marginalised or at risk.
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Examples from our work include:
- Advocacy – Raising awareness against harmful traditional practices, such as female genital mutilation
- Support for vulnerable children – Assisting orphans and highly vulnerable children, along with their care givers – often grandmothers
- Peacebuilding – Promoting reconciliation and preventing violence in conflict-sensitive areas
Our Transformation Process
Our work follows a proven five-phase process – the “5 Es” of sustainable development. This approach shows how a three-year transformation journey is built step by step – always in partnership with the people on the ground.
ENTRY – Building Relationships
It all starts with listening. When we are invited into a village or neighbourhood, we invest time in building trust with local churches and civil society leaders. Together, we develop a shared vision for the transformation of their community.
EMPOWER – Strengthen Local Leadership
We train and coach local leaders – often from churches or grassroots NGOs – in holistic, sustainable development. They plan and implement the projects themselves. This fosters genuine ownership from the start.
ESTABLISH – Consolidating Structures
Once the first projects are underway, we support the creation of local structures that anchor the change long-term. This turns isolated efforts into a coordinated transformation process.
EXPAND – Extending the Impact
Early successes inspire confidence. As pilot projects bear fruit, local actors begin to replicate them – reaching new groups in their community, particularly those facing extreme poverty.
ENTRUST – Handing Over Responsibility
After three years, we evaluate progress together. Once the local structures and capacities are firmly in place, we fully hand over responsibility to the local leadership – and step back.
