PROFILE

This is a network of grassroots peace initiatives in Kibera registered with the office of Provincial Director of Social Services, Nairobi area as a Harambee self help group.

The network was founded in 2003 when Africa Peace Point brought together various independent self help groups but which were operational in Kibera. After a series of meetings and consultations, the groups decided to found Kibera Grassroots Initiatives (KGI) with APP as their sponsor.

The membership of KGI has since expanded to over 100 self help groups. They are involved in various activities, which are broadly categorized into 4 as follows

Categories of the Network

1. Health and Environment: HIV and AIDS, infections and other diseases, feeding programs, garbage collection, sanitation, drainage

2. Cultural and Sports: drama, plays, advocacy, choirs, dance

3. Self Help and Micro-finance groups: communal projects, group income generating projects, rotating saving schemes, merry-go-rounds, welfare organizations

4. Empowerment initiatives

Vision

To make the slum settlements of Kibera more conducive for human habitation.

Mission

To empower the members of the community in uplifting their welfare so as to make Kibera a better place to live through poverty reduction, good governance and democracy by means worked out by the people themselves.

Objectives

1. To establish a united forum of action in addressing socio-cultural and economic issues affecting the residents of Kibera

2. To establish an integrated approach to address the common problems of health, sanitation, culture poverty reduction and peace education

3. To mobilize resources and empower our people living with HIV/AIDS so as to contribute to the national effect on HIV/AIDS interventions

4. To sensitize our people on the importance of safe sanitation and drainage and workout strategies in addressing these environmental problems

5. To lobby for resources on capacity building through workshops, seminars and other training for members of grassroots organizations on various deficits

Since its inception, KGI has been involved in a number of activities revolving around empowerment of member organizations. In late 2003, a series of four workshops, each lasting 2 days were carried out and facilitated by APP. These were geared towards training member organizations in their various thematic areas and also charting a long term plan for KGI.

The year 2004 saw the strengthening of individual organization’s capacities but which are affiliates of KGI. Funds were sourced for specific projects which included small income generating programs and also in the health sector. Also through APP’s interns especially from Italy, external linkages between these small organizations and possible donors outside were established. For the groups dealing with handcrafts, a process of sourcing for markets outside Africa, which is expected to open up new markets for their products was launched.

In 2005 and with the help of Caritas Italiana, KGI in conjunction with APP launched a micro-credit scheme. This is meant to provide small loans at very favorable rates to KGI member organizations. Along with the loans, eligible organizations will also be trained on financial and group management among other benefits. The project is currently being implemented.