Self-Help in the Slum: Don't Wait for White Saviors - How a Kenyan slum is breaking poverty through education and jobs
In Kibera, Kenya’s largest slum, a grassroots movement is transforming lives through education and economic empowerment. Kennedy Odede, who grew up in the same community, now leads SHOFCO (Shining Hope for Communities), an organisation tackling poverty with libraries, vocational training, and women’s programmes. Over two decades, its work has expanded to 22 locations, offering opportunities to thousands of young people and women.
SHOFCO began 20 years ago with a single girls’ school in Kibera. Since then, it has grown into a network of libraries, training centres, and community banks. These spaces serve as safe havens for children and young people, providing access to learning and digital skills.
The organisation also supports women through practical training. Over 17,000 have benefited from courses in sewing, crafts, and business management in the past two years. Mary Abongo, a single mother, used a small grant and loan from a SHOFCO-backed community bank to open her own shop after completing business training. For young people, vocational programmes offer pathways to employment. Greyson Nyenze, a local baker, trains apprentices from Kibera, helping them build job skills and confidence. In total, more than 9,000 young people have received training or internships, with nearly 3,000 gaining digital skills for online work. Community savings groups play a key role in SHOFCO’s approach. Residents pool 100 shillings (about 66 cents) each month, then collectively decide how to invest the funds. This model encourages self-reliance and shared decision-making. SHOFCO’s work is backed by partners like Africa Action, which funds and promotes its education, health, and economic empowerment projects in Kenyan slums. The collaboration helps expand access to resources and training for those who need it most.
SHOFCO’s programmes have already reached thousands, from women gaining financial independence to young people securing digital jobs. With continued support, the organisation aims to extend its impact across more slums in Kenya. The focus remains on grassroots solutions that empower communities to drive their own change.
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