groups and projects
The groups included on our website share a commitment to standards of governance and registration that are by no means shared by all organisations associated with community development. There are groups that are often described by local people in Nairobi as ‘briefcase NGOs’, whose primary purpose is more about attracting money for themselves, than delivering substantive services to the communities they claim to support. In other words, donations often do not help local people. Residents are equally dismissive of ‘4 x 4 NGOs’, the international NGOs whose time in the ‘slums’ is limited to fleeting visits in their SUVs before returning to the sanctuary of their offices in salubrious suburbs.
Consequently, we purposefully avoid working with both ‘briefcase’ and ‘4×4’ NGOs. Our recommended groups are all certificated by the Kenyan government as either community-based organisations or foundations. In other words, they have official evidence to prove their credibility.
If you would like to see the benefits or find out in advance how your donation will be spent, the groups can provide information or updates that will reassure that your donation is helping to change lives. It may be that you have a specific type of project in mind or group of people that are not included in our list that you would like to support. Please feel free to contact us to discuss the possibilities.
groups we are working with:
Global Vision Achievers
Global Vision Achievers is located in Kibera with activities in the settlement and children’s homes in surrounding counties. By focussing on alleviating poverty, promoting access to education and nurturing talents, particularly among young women and children, GVA provides training and childcare facilities. Having recently taken ownership of land in Kibera, GVA is looking to develop a new modern facility to deliver improved services for targeted vulnerable people.
Interventions Africa
Interventions Africa operates in the counties of Nairobi, Makueni, Kitui and Kajiado with a primary focus on alleviating poverty and promoting access to education. Their programmes include sponsoring children’s schooling and training for local informal businesses. Future plans are to improve food security through agro-business and increase levels of renewable energy in low-income housing.
La Vie Foundation
La Vie Foundation is based in Kibera Slums, Nairobi, Kenya, and offers services in different low income areas. It is among the first to recognize the plight of Older Persons, whom it serves through Advocacy, Feeding, Healthcare, Home Based Care, Shelter, Relocation and Economic Empowerment, among others. To this end, La Vie Foundation wishes to extend its level of support including Assisted Living Homes.
Making a Difference (MAD) Sisters
Making a Difference (MAD) Sisters are based in Kibera. Their mission is to empower girls and women through capacity building, awareness creation and advocacy. One of their recent initiatives has been to provide women and girls in Kibera with the skills, resources, and support they need to generate income, improve their livelihoods, and achieve financial independence.
Mng’aro Mtaani
Mng’aro Mtaani operates in Nairobi’s low-income housing areas of Korogocho, Mathare, Gomongo, Glucola and parts of River Side and Baba Dogo. Their mission is to promote human development and social justice through training, clothing, sports and the power of creative art. Recently Mng’aro redeveloped their offices to create space for new youth training programmes and are now developing much needed hospitality training facilities.
Nawari Dadas
Nawari Dadas (Ladies) is based in the neglected settlement of Mukuru Kwa Njenga in Nairobi. They work to empower adolescent girls and young women and promote a clean and safe community for all. Nawari has been well known throughout Kenya through their ladies football team which they are struggling to fund because of lack of resources.
Restoring Dignity Foundation
Restoring Dignity Foundation aims to restore dignity and well-being to the lives of those facing hardship in Korogocho. This aim is being achieved through a range of services including healthcare, housing, food security, water sanitation, social security and education. Recently RDF have been able to build new houses for older residents and hope to extend their programme into 2025.
values
The projects we support share the following values: