Uweza Aid Foundation

Sponsorship program:education is extremely important to kibera families, who recognize its potential to lift students out of poverty. Although both primary and high school have been declared free by the kenyan government, there are fees associated with attending school that many families can't afford. In 2024, we provided 50 scholarships to primary students attending local schools; secondary students most of whom attend boarding schools outside of kibera; and post-secondary students who attend vocational schools and colleges around the country. Scholarships cover the costs of school fees, school uniforms, school supplies, mentorship and guidance, and life skills workshops.

Art program/uweza art gallery:the uweza art gallery opened in 2013 to provide young, up-and-coming artists with the opportunity to express themselves creatively and earn an income from their artistic talents. The gallery provides artists with free materials and marketing support. 60% of all art sales goes to the artist. 40% of sales goes back into the gallery to pay rent and purchase supplies. The gallery strives to be sustainably run through the sales of artwork. Several of the artists have been able to pay the entirety of their primary, high school and post-secondary education through the sales of their artwork, and many of the older artists are able to fully support themselves through their sales. Uweza art gallery also hosts free art classes for children from kibera twice a week.

Bright futuresthe goal of this young women's economic empowerment group is to help women become financially independent. The program works with each member to provide opportunities for economic empowerment and self-sustainability utilizing their own interests, passions, and capabilities. Opportunities include small business training and business start-up/expansion loans, educational scholarships to high school and university, and scholarships to vocational training courses. The group also participates in group savings activities and receives training in life skills.

Golden girls powerour girls' empowerment club provides 60-70 girls living in kibera with a safe space to meet every weekend, socialize, and learn about life skills issues that are relevant to improving their mental, emotional and physical well-being. The girls also participate in drama, poetry, arts and crafts, taekwondo/self-defense training, and jump rope.

Children's book project:the aim of this project was to create a children's book based in kenya. We worked with a kibera-based author and illustrator based at uweza art gallery to create "kibera's unexpected treasure," a children's book that takes place in kibera. The book is a celebration of the community where we work. It offers children from kibera and other similar communities the chance to see themselves reflected in the stories they read, fostering a sense of pride and representation.

Securing livelihoods through art for youth in nairobi's informal settlements:this year-long project funded by heva fund, british council, and the acp-eu culture programme, recruited young artists, ages 18-30, from 10 informal settlements or similar communities in nairobi. The artists were linked to training and access to new networks and markets, ultimately improving their ability to make a living through art. Major project activities included an open call/talent search and art exhibition, a twelve-week training, and an upgrade in the infrastructure of uweza art gallery.

Passion to share foundationpassion to share foundation is a non-profit organization based in kibera. The organization provides young women with vocational training in computer graphics, tailoring, hairdressing, and cosmetology as well as mentorship and financial support.

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