Bordering the Indian Ocean, Kenya is famous for its dramatic Great Rift Valley, expansive Savannah and inspiring annual migration of more than 2 million wildebeests. Located in East Africa, Kenya is home to 53 million people. While the nation has recently advanced to lower-middle-income status, two-thirds of its population still live in poverty, earning less than $3.20 daily. According to USAID, “70% of the nation is chronically vulnerable due to food insecurity and preventable diseases.” The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated these effects, slowing economic growth within the country. Nonetheless, Kenya has made notable economic strides in recent years.

Between 2015 and 2019, Kenya experienced a 4.8% economic growth rate per year, reducing the percentage of people living on less than $2.15 per day from 36.5% to 27.2%. In light of these trends, the following charities operating in Kenya focus on poverty eradication by working with and empowering individuals to realize their full potential.

5 Charities Operating in Kenya

1. Raising Futures Kenya: In an effort to break the cycle of poverty and allow youth to reach their potential, Raising Futures Kenya focuses on providing youth with free vocational training and business skills. The organization has served 2,500 students in the 21 years of its operation. Raising Futures Kenya serves approximately 900 students annually who receive healthy meals, menstrual hygiene packets and counseling tailored to meet each individual’s mental health needs. Raising Future’s Seed of Hope training programs offer students vocational training in motor mechanics, carpentry, hairdressing, catering and hospitality and more. Impressively, 90% of the program graduates gain employment, continue their education or establish businesses.
2. Team Kenya: Deeply held traditional beliefs that boys are more deserving of an education than girls exist in Kenya, perpetuating challenges for young women to access quality education. Team Kenya works with communities that surround local primary schools to overcome the hurdles that avert girls from accessing education. The organization advocates for safe communities by offering education and training about girls’ rights. Team Kenya also teams up with girls who have experienced sexual violence and supports them in taking legal action. As stated on Team Kenya’s website, “Since 2008, Team Kenya has built a strong relationship with the community in Ndhiwa and Twende Pamoja. Together with Twende Pamoja, we have transformed the lives of over 80,000 people in Ndhiwa, including 25,000 young girls.”
3. Tiba Foundation: Founded in 2004, Tiba Foundation supports grassroots initiatives run by local leaders who aim to improve the quality of life for rural Kenyans. In Swahili, the main spoken language throughout Kenya, “Matibabu” means treatment. Tiba is taken from this root word, as the foundation partners with the Matibabu Community Hospital. Tiba Foundation is a charity operating in Kenya that focuses on improving access to quality health care, education, innovative technology and female empowerment throughout the country. Its mission aims to create locally-led, sustainable solutions to the greatest issues facing the nation, by partnering with local organizations knowledgeable about these challenges. More than 48,000 individuals benefit from its level-4 hospital annually.
4. Nuru Kenya: This organization works alongside farmers to improve their crop yield and management tactics, in an effort to lift farmers and their families out of poverty. The organization believes that change begins at a local level, hence it is 100% locally led. Since its beginnings in 2008, Nuru Kenya has assisted farmers in building and managing sustainable farmer cooperatives and has provided them access to participate in the regional and international markets. Farmers who work alongside Nuru Kenya have experienced a 70% increase in income, a 98% increase in crop yield and a 24% decrease in child mortality.
5. S.A.F.E: This organization uses street-based arts-based community programs to bring about social change in local communities. Its mission is to solve some of Kenya’s most pressing issues through art and storytelling. Street-based performances, storytelling and film are used to address a multitude of local issues, allowing the audience to reflect on their own lives and the challenges they face. This strategic communication method educates and motivates the audience to make crucial steps toward community change. S.A.F.E was founded in 2001, at the height of the HIV pandemic in Kenya. Its outreach efforts made significant strides in HIV prevention through increased testing and awareness. S.A.F.E’s mission has expanded to tackle a wider range of sexual and reproductive health issues, including providing access to contraceptives and using its art to reduce the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS. S.A.F.E also uses theater and film to tackle female genital mutilation, issues regarding water and sanitation, countering violent extremism and building resilience to environmental issues.

Looking Ahead

These five charities operating in Kenya substantially support citizens experiencing poverty throughout the nation. In addition to the organizations, several other charities and nonprofits are dedicated to eradicating poverty and empowering communities in Kenya. The work of these organizations continues to provide Kenyans with access to quality education and health care, and greater crop yield for farmers, supporting communities with the necessary toolkit to prosper.

– Sophia Loizos
Photo: Flickr