Our Founders
The Next Step Foundation is a continuation of the philanthropic efforts of Sally and Scott Harrison, the founders of Cure International. Launched in 1998, Cure builds and operates pediatric hospitals around the world. Today, Cure operates a global network of eight pediatric hospitals (seven of which are in Africa) and has performed more than 373,000 life-changing surgeries.
One of the learnings from our Cure experience is that although we can improve the health outcomes of our patients, most still struggle to find employment. Based on our experience, particularly with Persons with Disabilities, we recognized the need to approach Africa’s unemployment problem from a wholistic perspective. We developed the R.A.A.T.T. Method® to ensure that we identify and recruit talented individuals from vulnerable communities, ensure they are properly resourced and given the right training based on their unique skills and abilities, and supported as they transition into meaningful employment.
The work we do at the Foundation is the ‘next step’ in fulfilling Sally and Scott’s vision of empowering and upskilling individuals from marginalized communities—women, youth, and Persons with Disabilities—to take the ‘next step’ towards sustainable livelihoods and economic independence.
