Transform Africa is a member of the Transform Network of training, research and advocacy organisations. It grew from a consortium of Northern NGOs comprising CAFOD, Christian Aid, Oxfam and World University Services (WUS), which felt that capacity-building services were more effective in terms of cost and relevance when provided by local NGO partners who understand the local contexts better. As a charity it has accumulated a wealth of experience in improving the effectiveness of local organisations and their beneficiary communities, achieved through always working in partnership with local African organisations. So far over 130 organisations have benefited from our capacity-building programmes, which cover several countries including Kenya, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, the Gambia, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

The approach to strengthen the local organisations of Africa focuses not only on training, but helping those partners set up robust structures, financial and programme management systems and providing them with long term support.  The projects of Transform Africa include providing money to establish and manage a revolving fund to give micro-finance loans to artisans and small business owners of countries affected by war to rehabilitate and/ or restore their facilities, setting up training and accompaniment programmes to local development and humanitarian organisations and also the conducting of research in order to inform and influence approaches to dealing with the multitude of problems that effect African people. In particular, the research that Transform Africa has conducted has shown the need for what we call the ‘transform approach’ which focuses on understanding the locals context and dealing with the long-held and embedded cultural religious beliefs, practices and values as a means to influencing relations within Africa. Doing this is the best way to influence a lasting change in the region.

The most recent project that Transform Africa has undertaken, which is still very much in its early stages, is to offer support poor communities in Tanzania and Zambia in the fight against HIV/AIDS. We are using funds to help local communities form support groups through which they will be assisted to have open discussions about HIV and AIDS, finding solutions to overcoming stigma and dealing with the religious and cultural beliefs, values and practices that fuel the spread of the virus. They will also be supported to establish community based revolving funds to help those infected or affected by HIV/AIDS to increase their income in order to reduce their vulnerability by engaging in risky sexual practices as a means to getting money.