OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this Society are organized and are to be operated exclusively within the meaning of embracing the basic functions of the Catholic Church, namely; Proclamation (Martyria), Liturgy (Liturgia), Social services (Diakonia) and Secular Ministry. Therefore, motivated by the Gospel concept of abundant life for all and in the light of the vision of our founder Father Adolph Kolping, the objectives of the KST shall be the following:

1. To provide formation that will enable individual Kolping members, Kolping Families and KST functionaries to internalize the Kolping Apostolate in the African context and therefore become credible messengers and witnesses of the Good News in their natural families, communities and society at large. Rom. 6:4-5; Mt. 5: 13-14.

2. To formulate and execute strategies aimed at furtherance of the well being of people and quality of life, through self-help social and economic programmes, eradication of poverty, hunger, disease and illiteracy, the provision of adequate shelter and secure employment for all, the preservation of the integrity of the environment, adoption of appropriate technology, the improvement of the role and status of women and youth including their empowerment and investment in health, education and training.

3. To establish schools to complement government efforts towards deliverance of formal education with emphasis on cultivating in the children the wisdom and gentleness as they grow and instill in them the capacity for discernment and freedom necessary for good citizenry.

4. To establish centres for promoting and developing knowledge and practical skills of the youth in various crafts and professions through occupational education and training measures, and ensure that such measures function in subsidiary cooperation with state facilities or companies.

5. To enhance the status of volunteer work by creating platforms whereby professionals and skilled individuals and groups come together with the youth for community volunteer activities that would expose the latter to fulfilling activities whilst building their capacity with the offered opportunity to learn new skills, advance their careers, connect with community, increase self-confidence, acquire a sense of purpose and at the same time both give back to community.

6. To train and orient smallholders to sustainable farming practices, skills and techniques to ensure that agro-ecology contributes adequately in addressing the root causes of their food insecurity, poverty and inequality by helping to transform food systems and build resilient livelihoods of smallholders through a holistic approach that balances the three dimensions of sustainability – social, economic and environmental.

7. To contribute to national efforts for reducing the risks of climate change by integrating responses to climate change and climate variability into Kolping programs for poverty reduction, disaster risk reduction and sustainable development practices.

8. To identify markets and crops in which smallholder producers can have a comparative advantage and actively support them to form marketing cooperatives with which to engage in those agricultural value chains that offer pro-poor opportunities for growth.

9. To research and support small scale manufacturing industries e.g. food processing, textile and leather technologies, handicrafts, candle and soap making, etc. to ensure growth of smallholders.

10. To provide requisite training for executing projects aimed at environmental conservation, preservation and promotion of tourism such as controlling deforestation and soil erosion through afforestation projects; and development and distribution of affordable tree and plant seedlings.

11. To improve animal husbandry and carry out activities such as animal feed production and their distribution to farmers.

12. To partner with international and local relief organizations in to disasters, crisis situations and pandemics by organizing responses for emergency lifesaving support to vulnerable communities and individuals. government’s efforts complementing the deal with natural.

13. To train the people acquire the orientations and develop the habits and attitudes which are important in entrepreneurship as key factors in economic development.

14. To provide requisite training for executing projects aimed at environmental conservation, preservation and promotion of tourism such as controlling deforestation and soil erosion through afforestation projects; and development and distribution of affordable tree and plant seedlings.

15. To develop strong networks with similar interest organizations in ensuring that markets work for smallholders’ produce guided by a realistic assessment of the distinctive core competence of market players – of what they can do.

16. To promote good health and nutrition among community members, particularly children and women.

17. To institute measures aimed at supporting or strengthening the promotion of gender equality and the improvement of the status of women based on the integration of gender perspective in our undertakings, and enhanced participation by women in programs designed, implemented and monitored in full awareness of their possible or actual gender-specific effects.

18. To work and collaborate with various partners, such as local and central government, International Organizations, NGOs, etc. towards programs of alleviating poverty and meeting GLOBAL needs on achieving United Nations’ Development agenda.

19. To research, develop and promote sustainable use of local renewable energy sources; including offering expertise and solutions on renewable energy management.

20. To contribute to Zero Waste principles by ensuring that Kolping production or manufacturing activities embrace systems approach that aims for massive change in the way materials flow through society, resulting in no waste through restructuring production and distribution systems to reduce waste.

21. To help reduce workloads of women by developing easy but sustainable sources of energy for cooking, lighting and water supply.

22. To design and construct shallow wells and simple water pumps for small scale rural irrigation projects; and to construct water tanks for household rainwater harvesting.

23. To facilitate the formation of farmer marketing associations or networks and empower smallholders with the collective capacity to market their goods, purchase their inputs and coordinate their farming techniques for increased income and efficiency.

24. To develop affordable sources of better building materials for improved housing, hygiene and sanitation conditions.

25. To cultivate and facilitate entrepreneurial habits through the establishment of new models of savings and loan arrangements of the rural populace and members of KST in general.

26. To seek financial, material and logistical support sources from Kolping partnerships, the donor community, members of the Society and well-wishers aimed at achieving the above aims and objectives.