Kenya

In Kenya, we work with an urban youth organisation called Ngei 1 Development Youth Group.

Ngei 1 Development Youth Group (Ngei 1 DYG) is a community based organisation in Huruma, one of Nairobi's slum areas. It was established in 1997 by a group of young people in response to high rates of poverty and unemployment, and the resulting crime, drug abuse, teenage pregnancies and littered, unhygienic environment.

Rose is a member of Ngei 1 Development Youth Group and sells chapattis to earn an income.

The group's vision is of “a society in which youths are empowered, self-reliant and actively involved in community development”. Over the past 10 years, Ngei 1 DYG has developed a range of activities and services which include waste collection and recycling; water and sanitation; transport services; art and crafts projects; social and entrepreneurship advice and guidance; a revolving loan scheme for members; and a community resource centre. The group also has a football team called ‘Jah Post FC'. In 2006, the organisation won three Mashariki Innovation in Local Governance Awards from UN-Habitat.

Skillshare International has been working in partnership with Ngei 1 DYG since 2005, providing support through resource mobilisation, networking and capacity building. In February 2007, we placed a development worker as a programme adviser to support the group's environmental and economic initiatives. Skillshare International also supports Ngei 1 DYG's poverty reduction and social justice initiatives through advocacy, targeting Nairobi City Council, the Kenya Police, the Provincial Administration, government departments and UN agencies.

For more information, please visit www.ngei1youth.org or e-mail ngei1youth@yahoo.com

Find out more about our East Africa regional programme.

For information about our work in Kenya or our regional programme in East Africa, please email eastafricainfo@skillshare.org