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Our Projects: Kenya


HOPE IN THE SLUM

Kawangware Street Children and Youth Project
Kawangware Slum, Nairobi, Kenya

GO Campaign is partnering with Kawangware Street Children and Youth Project (KSCYP) in Kenya to build a new eco-friendly space to grow their recycled paper bag business that will help more than 300 vulnerable youth and children. In addition to rescuing orphans and vulnerable children living in the slum, KSCYP teaches older youth how to make eco-friendly paper bags from recycled materials and business skills so that they can one day own and efficiently manage their own businesses.

Currently, this youth-led micro-enterprise operates from two small 10 ft. by 15 ft. rooms selling bags to hotels and tour companies. Despite the cramped space, the business has been very successful and shows great promise. Profits from this sustainable small business help run KSCYP. GO invites you to help the children living in the Kawangware slum to discover, develop, and utilize their potential!

2 Ways to Give!


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Fundraising goal: $26,111

Your donations can provide the following:

$10 Bag of Cement
$37 Window
$67 Durable door
$600 Professional fees for “green” architecture assessment and design
$3000 Labor to build Phase I of the business center






FEATURED BIOS


Eva Wanjiru, born in October, 2004, is Irene Nguhi’s daughter, and they both call KSCYP “home”. Eva’s father deserted her and her mother shortly after she was born, and they were forced to roam the streets until they found KSCYP. Irene, still in her teens, is one of the single mothers working with the paper-bag making micro-enterprise. KSCYP is teaching Irene new skills, and she one day hopes to have her own business. KSCYP is giving both mother and child a chance at a better life.





Amos Aalano is a role model to the other kids living at KCYP. Forced to turn to the streets when his mother was no longer able to provide him with food or a family life, Amos joined KSCYP in 2002 after living on the streets of Nairobi for 7 years. Amos is multi-talented and excels at almost everything. He prints wonderfully on the paper bags, he is a musician, and he is a footballer now playing for Kenyatta National Hospital-Division. Amos tells GO,

KSCYP will always be in my mind and heart with how it has transformed my life and those of my friends who have been in the same terrible life situation like myself. The paper bag workshop will expand and more income generating activities shall be formed. This means more children and youths shall be absorbed, more talents and skills shall be discovered, tapped and developed, meaning youths shall be prepared to face life challenges.


WHY KENYA


Troubled with recent political violence, Kenya is located on the coast of East Africa and is home to over 40 different tribes. Kenya offers rich history (including the discovery of many prehistoric fossils of dinosaurs and early man) and beautiful scenery (wild animals, mountains and the Indian Ocean.) It is estimated that over 10% of the country's children are orphans. The country's capital city of Nairobi offers opportunity, but it is also home to some of the worst slums in Africa where children face great poverty and disease.

There are more than 250,000 people living in the Kawangware slum, just outside Nairobi, and most of them live on less than $1 a day. The unemployment rate is staggering, HIV/AIDS is rampant and the community does not have the proper resources to help.

Kawangware Street Children and Youth Project (KSCYP) rescues orphans and vulnerable children living in the slum by providing them with basic human needs and opportunity. This includes counseling, safe and fun activities such as soccer, a hot lunch and schools fees (when money allows).