Embakasi
Embakasi is a growing residential suburb of Nairobi. Many residents are employed at the nearby Jomo Kenyatta airport but Embakasi also has two large slums which share many of the characteristics of Kibra.
There is high unemployment and high incidence of HIV. Consequently, many households are single parent and there are many orphans.
Our partner project at Embakasi is the Embakasi Methodist Academy where we support children in their pre-primary school. After 2 years in pre-primary, with Karibuni’s support children will either progress into primary education at Embakasi Academy or, alternatively, move to a local state primary.
A Savings and Credit Community Organisation (SACCO), microfinance, scheme is in operation at Embakasi. Small loans are made to groups of mutually supporting entrepreneurs drawn from the parents / guardians of children supported by Karibuni, who wish to start their own modest business. Funding was provided by Karibuni but the scheme is administered through the long established Methodist Church SACCO. Training on business management, bookkeeping and other necessary skills is provided. The success rate is high and provides an opportunity for families to lift themselves out of poverty.