Global Footsteps is a charity based in Cheltenham UK, founded in 1985 as The Rendezvous Society. The charity's main purpose is educational and works for sustainable living and climate justice, acting both locally and globally.
We are currently raising money to support a co-operative farming project for women farmers in Kenya, growing sweet potatoes – a nutritious crop that is resilient to climate change.
We have a long partnership with the Aniga Women's Initiative, a community self-help group in Kisumu, Kenya, who are mostly widows as a result of HIV. They also raise awareness against ignorance, diseases, and violence in their community.
Global Footsteps volunteers and trustees have spent time with the Aniga Women in Kisumu, and now work closely and directly with the group online.
In 2019, the Aniga Women approached us for help to set up a sustainable agriculture project. A feasibility study by a local independent consultant proposed that the community could grow sweet potatoes, a nutritional crop that is resilient to climate change.
Our work locally in Cheltenham:
• We supported FoodLoose, a local refill shop, to grow and become an independent community co-operative.
• We work with Cheltenham Welcome Refugees and other local organisations to help create a culture of welcome in the town.
• We are part of a twinning committee for Kisumu, Kenya, as part of the Cheltenham Twinning Association – an independent group linking Friendship Towns.
• We organise and take part in events encouraging sustainable living.
• Our headquarters in Portland St has been retrofitted with insulation and renewable energy.
• Little Footsteps operates an international toddler group.
In Kenya, we:
• Provide training and materials to enable them to make and sell energy efficient cookstoves and briquettes.
• Support them during the recent floods and pandemic.
• Help to develop a co-operative farming project to grow nutritious crops resilient to climate change
Please see our website to learn more about our work: https://global-footsteps.org