Project information
Access to Justice in East Africa
CLEAR centres across East Africa will provide access to justice for the poor, vulnerable and marginalised. CLEAR advocates will provide legal education workshops within the community and prisons, legal advice and representation to men, women and children, providing freedom, protection and provision
On-going
Charity information: CLEAR International

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Need
Need
In East Africa, basic legal rights are bought and not accessible for all. Many people languish in prison for years, unaware of the charge and never tried, children live on the streets because their fathers have left and provide no support, widows are forced into extreme poverty because their husband's family have seized their homes. The laws exist to protect the poor and vulnerable but are often not followed.
Solution
CLEAR will provide:
- legal education workshops within prisons, advising prisoners (pre-trial) of the court process, their rights and responsibilities;
- legal education workshops within communities on issues including child rights, inheritance and family;
- legal representation (including pre-trial detention, child maintenance and land issues)
A grass-roots organisation, CLEAR recruits local lawyers, and last year helped over 105,000 people. -
Aims
Aim 1
To provide pre-trial prisoners with the ability to represent themselves within their case
Activities
» Run fortnightly legal education workshops within 12 prisons
What success will look like
Success will be running over 20 legal education seminars in each of the prisons, observing who has been released and hearing from prisoners, and their colleagues.
Aim 2
To provide better access to information and civil legal rights
Activities
» Run fortnightly legal education workshops within community settings (including schools, churches and local gatherings)
» Run regular radio slots on a variety of legal issues
What success will look like
Success will be running over 50 legal education seminars, and 50 radio shows.
Aim 3
To provide free legal representation to 1000 people
Activities
» Identify clients from regular prison visits, who are most in need
» Provide legal assistance to clients who come into a CLEAR office requesting advice
» Engage members of the local Christian Lawyers Fellowships (KCLF, UCLF and LOH) to provide pro bono (free) legal assistance
What success will look like
Success will be representing 1000 people, tracking this through CLEAR offices
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Impact
Impact
The project will reduce length of time on remand for prisoners, empower and protect vulnerable people especially children and women, and raise greater awareness across society of legal rights and responsibilities. This will be demonstrated by the number of people assisted, and case outcomes.
Risk
There is a risk that access to the prison could be restricted, however local CLEAR advocates have fostered close links with the relevant government departments and local prison warders to ensure this access continues. As a local organisation, CLEAR has built strong relationships with government, NGOs and local lawyers to provide this necessary service.
Reporting
Funders of this project will receive a two monthly email update on the project highlighting recent successes, upcoming activities and any necessary changes that have been made. It will also include a client story and prayer points.
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Budget
Budget - Project Cost: £36,000
Loading graph....Amount Heading Description £6,000 Legal Education holding legal education workshops within prisons, local communities and on the radio £25,000 Legal Representation Providing legal advice and representation pro bono to clients £5,000 Core Office costs / Training Coordination and training of volunteer lawyers and legal interns, research and office admin -
Background
Location
CLEAR has offices across Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda, often in areas where they are the sole provider of legal representation.
Beneficiaries
In countries where sadly justice is often bought, not accessed, many local people cannot afford legal representation, even when they have done nothing wrong or have a clear case. CLEAR helps anyone who needs legal assistance but lacks the means to access it.
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Why Us?
Why Us?
In many areas, CLEAR is the only NGO on the ground actually providing legal advice and education. CLEAR is staffed and supported by local Christian lawyers and has worked hard to build good relationships with institutions, and other NGOs concerned with justice. CLEAR advocates are qualified and experienced, and understand the challenges faced by the local communities. It's great project, with 15 years of experience, operating on a shoestring budget, and with a great track record.
Read more about the Charity running this project.
People
Mhairi Hamilton
International Projects Coordinator - Mhairi is based in London and provides guidance, and accountability with the partner offices in East Africa.
Joyce Kabaki
Director of CLEAR Kenya - Joyce is passionate about and committed to the work of CLEAR, overseeing the Kenyan offices.
David Furaha
President, Lawyers of Hope, Rwanda - David provides vision and oversight for our provision of legal education and representation in Rwanda.
Eunice Nabafu
Project Director, Uganda - Eunice brings leadership and vision to the UCLF/ CLEAR work in Uganda.