CFK | Our Work in Kibera in 2020: A Year in Review

While 2020 presented the Kibera community with new challenges, CFK staff learned how to do more with less, support one another from a distance, and respond effectively to increased needs. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many of our programs had to adapt to ensure the safety of our staff and beneficiaries, but the foundation of our work remained the same. We continue to engage with the community to improve public health, empower talented young leaders, and promote equal opportunity.

Thanks to our supporters and deep-rooted community ties, 2020 was an opportunity for us to expand our impact in Kibera and beyond. We will build on that momentum in 2021 as we begin extending our programming to additional informal settlements in Kenya.

Primary Healthcare

All four of our healthcare facilities remained open throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, providing critical primary health, maternity, nutrition, and mental health services to community members. CFK also introduced and began operating its first ambulance, providing emergency transportation services throughout the Kibera community.

CFK coronavirus sample collection in Kibera — Tabitha Medical Clinic partnered with the Centers for Disease Control and Kenya Medical Research Institute to lead coronavirus sample collection and contact tracing efforts in Kibera. To date, we have collected more than 3,000 samples.

CFK WASH in Kibera — CFK’s team of Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) multiplied the impact of our water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) initiatives. Since March, CFK has installed more than 1,500 handwashing stations and distributed more than 15,000 liters of locally made soap.

CFK Staff at Maternity Home Celebration — Tabitha Maternity Home celebrated its first anniversary in September 2020, and our team of trained maternity staff delivered 431 children over the course of the year. To date, CFK has recorded zero maternal deaths at the maternity home.

CFK Frontline Heroes in Kibera — The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation recognized many of our maternity staff as “Frontline Heroes” as part of an inspiring initiative allowing people around the world to express their gratitude to frontline healthcare workers.

CFK Young Health and Wellness Centre Kibera — The Young Health and Wellness Centre also celebrated its first anniversary, providing nearly 1,200 youth with services ranging from HIV testing to mental health services since 2019.

CFK malnutrition management in Kibera — The Lishe Bora Mtaani Nutrition Centre responded to rising food insecurity by providing families with food packages throughout the pandemic.

CFK Ambulance in Kibera — CFK purchased and began operating its first-ever ambulance in Kibera.

Education & Livelihoods

Government-mandated lockdowns and school closures forced millions of students out of class in early 2020. Many students in Kibera lacked access to online learning resources or distance learning opportunities, which threatened to increase the education gap across socioeconomic levels. To address this growing need, CFK’s Education and Livelihoods Program developed a home-learning initiative.

CFK revision materials in Kibera — Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, CFK has provided more than 10,000 revision materials to over 600 students in Kibera.

CFK Angaza Alumni provide support in Kibera — Many young alumni from our Education and Livelihoods Program supported current students by distributing and answering questions about CFK revision materials.

CFK students in Kibera — 100% of our 2019 Angaza Scholarship graduates are continuing their educations at local universities and colleges.

CFK students in school in Kibera — The Best Schools Initiative (BSI) completed its pilot phase this year and found that seven of its best practices were significantly correlated with increased student attendance and academic progress.

CFK student studying Kibera — The BSI hopes to continue expanding its work when schools re-open in 2021. Program staff have worked closely with schools to identify their greatest needs before they re-open in January.

Girls Empowerment

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated existing inequalities, leaving adolescent girls and young women at greater risk of teenage pregnancy and sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). CFK’s Girls Empowerment Program has responded through a dual strategy of mentorship and advocacy, meeting girls’ financial and psychosocial needs.

CFK dignity kits for girls in Kibera — Staff have also distributed Dignity Kits to girls to alleviate some financial pressures for young women. The kits include soap, sanitizer, underwear, and feminine hygiene products.

CFK Funzo group in Kibera — CFK's Funzo initiative helped re-enroll 401 teenage mothers in school and engaged 42 schools in Memorandums of Understanding on the treatment and acceptance of teenage mothers in the classoom.

CFK and Adelle Onyango Initiative Safe 24/7 Team — This year, CFK worked with the Adelle Onyango Initiative to help develop Safe 24/7, a project providing long-term group therapy to survivors of SGBV.

Leadership

This year, CFK expanded its national and international partnerships and influence. Executive Director, Hillary Omala, served on several government committees and subcommittees, contributing to the national strategy on COVID-19 response and communicating the unique challenges of informal settlements.

CFK also convened a new Advisory Council, composed of 14 international leaders, which will help guide CFK’s continued growth and impact.

In 2021, CFK will enter a signal moment as an organization as it begins executing a new strategic plan and expanding its programs and models to additional informal settlements in Kenya.

CFK Executive Director Hillary Omala making soap in Kibera.

Learn more about our programs and help drive our growth.

Stories of Progress

Promoting Healthy Decisions through Counseling and Connections

Victrine Oluoch was born to be a counselor. Growing up, she frequently offered advice to her friends, and, after serving as a peer mentor in high school, she recognized that her interest could lead to a purposeful career.

2020 Year in Review: Our Work in Pictures

In 2020, CFK expanded its impact in Kibera, responded to emergency needs created by the COVID-19 pandemic, and celebrated milestones across its programs. Moving forward, CFK seeks to expand its programs and services to additional informal settlements in Kenya.

CFK girls empowerment program participants in Kibera

Empowering Girls & Creating Sustainable Impact

Raised in an informal settlement, Sarah Waithera has always been acutely aware of the challenges girls face in disenfranchised communities. Understanding first-hand the threat of gender inequality, she made it her personal mission to work with and empower young girls.