Stories of Progress
Managing Menstrual Hygiene & Addressing Menstrual ShameEducating young people on proper menstrual hygiene management is the first step in addressing misinformation and menstrual shame. On this year's Menstrual Hygiene Day, CFK led open discussions with adolescent girls and young women and distributed critical sanitary products.- Hillary Omala Represents Informal Settlements on NTV Kenya PanelCFK executive director, Hillary Omala, discussed the social and economic impacts of COVID-19 on residents of informal settlements during a panel discussion broadcast on NTV Kenya on April 28.
- Launching the CFK Alumni NetworkAs a part of celebrating the 20th anniversary of CFK, we are launching the first-ever CFK volunteer alumni network, led by Yaniv Barzilai, which will invite past volunteers to reconnect and reminisce on their time in Kibera.
- Building Foundations to Foster Aspirations in KiberaGrowing up just a few miles outside of Kibera, George Kuria always knew that the community was teeming with immeasurable potential. Now, he serves on CFK’s Board, helping bring greater opportunity to Kibera.
- Rethinking the Role of Sport During COVID-19Sport education is a powerful means to foster physical fitness and mental well-being as well as social attitudes and behavior while populations are locked down. We remain committed to supporting young people throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Introducing our 2021 Peacock FellowKeerti Kalluru is joining CFK as our 2021 Peacock Fellow. Keerti is a UNC student studying nutrition and human development and family studies. This year, she will be helping develop communications and fundraising material for our 20th Anniversary.
- Celebrating International Women’s Day 2021As part of the K-GAN, CFK worked with 25 local organizations to organize a procession and celebration in honor of this year's International Women's Day, which recognized the critical role women play in ensuring an equitable recovery from COVID-19.
- Research, Connections, and CommunityBorn, raised, and educated in Kibera, Melvin Ochieng connected with CFK during its early years. Now, 15 years later, he works as a Research Scientist at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), one of CFK’s largest research partners.
- Reflecting on School Reopening in KenyaAfter a 10-month hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic, schools in Kenya re-opened for all students on January 4, 2021. CFK is working with teachers and students to ensure they have the tools and knowledge needed to return to school safely.
- Championing Child Development through Nutrition and PlayDespite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Frankline Mwenda and his nutrition team have successfully cured and discharged 45 previously malnourished children during the pandemic. Now, they're continuing to respond to increased needs and expanding their impact in Kibera.
- Securing More than a ScholarshipWith her parents unable to financially support two children through secondary school, Nancy Muga had two options: wait for her brother to graduate or secure a scholarship for herself.
- Promoting Healthy Decisions through Counseling and ConnectionsVictrine 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 PicturesIn 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.
- Empowering Girls & Creating Sustainable ImpactRaised in an informal settlement, Sarah 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 women and girls to have education and self-efficacy.
- Coaching Sports & Teaching LeadershipCFK's flagship Sports for Development Project was founded in 2001 to promote peace and reduce ethnic violence. While the project shifted its approach in 2018, its core belief remains the same: sports can do much more than provide entertainment and physical activity.
- The Power of Economic OpportunityBramwell connected with CFK’s entrepreneurship and economic development initiative in 2019. Now, he has a full-time job and is continuing his education, paying off his school fees, and helping support his friends and family.
- The Impact of COVID-19 on SGBV in KiberaFueled by a combination of confined living conditions, economic insecurity, and food insecurity, there has been an alarming increase in physical, psychological, sexual, and economic forms of domestic violence against women and girls in Kibera.
- From the Field: A Day in the Life of a Community Health WorkerLiving in Kibera for many years, Bentado, one of the Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) working out of CFK’s Lishe Bora Mtaani Nutrition Centre, has experienced firsthand the health challenges facing the community. Now, she has become part of the solution.
- Working Together to Address SGBV in KiberaWorldwide, 1 in 3 women experience sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in their lifetime. In Kibera, that statistic is likely higher, but CFK is empowering girls, mobilizing the community, and helping create a path to justice for survivors.
- 4 Reasons to Invest in CFK WASHWater, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) initiatives are cost-effective ways to help save lives. CFK established its WASH project in 2014, targeting households with expecting mothers and children under five and seeking to reduce the cases of diarrheal diseases in the community.
- From Class to Coding: Angaza Alumnus Andrew Otieno OdongoAfter completing information and communications technology courses through CFK's entrepreneurship and economic development program, Andrew Otieno Odongo studied coding at the Moringa school and now works at a health-tech startup.
- Making Handwashing More Accessible for AllWith the emergence of COVID-19, CFK increased its WASH activities by making soap and installing additional handwashing facilities throughout the community and at individual household levels.
- Expanding Impact While Staying True to the MissionBoard Treasurer, Francis Kibet, discusses how CFK furthered its mission while expanding its impact during 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic. He believes that CFK's model and programs will only continue to grow.
- Addressing Youth Unemployment & Environmental PollutionVictorious Craft Group employs youth to turn waste into valuable products. After connecting with CFK's Entrepreneurship & Economic Development program, they were able to hire more youth and increase their impact.
- CFK Named Finalist for 2020 .ORG Impact AwardsCarolina for Kibera (CFK) is pleased to announce that we have been selected as a finalist for the 2020 .ORG Impact Awards. Winners will be announced during a 10-day event beginning November 30.
- Using Data to Drive PurposeCurrent Board Member, Claire Rotich, grew up in Kenya but learned about CFK after re-connecting with a family friend in North Carolina. She is an advocate for using data to inform, strengthen, and center programs.
- Emphasizing the Importance of Mental HealthBy integrating mental health services into existing CFK programs, psychological counselor, Elmard Rigan, hopes to help debunk myths and address the stigma surrounding the topic.
- Angaza Alumni Support Home Learning Initiatives During COVID-19Though students are facing many challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, CFK's Angaza program and alumni network have supported their abilities to continue learning at home.
- Tabitha Maternity Home: Celebrating One Year of Service in KiberaCFK's Tabitha Maternity Home celebrated one year of service in Kibera and introduced its first-ever ambulance, which will provide affordable, accessible emergency transportation for Kibera residents.
- Sacrificing for Success: A Tribute to Tabitha FestoWith $26, a personal sacrifice, and a fierce commitment to serving her community, Tabitha Festo, a Kiberan nurse, laid the foundation for CFK in 2000 when she opened a 24/7 clinic attached to her home.
