The Challenge
In Kenya’s informal settlements, overlapping crises—lack of education, health services, and economic opportunities, compounded by climate change—create systemic barriers and undermine their ability to build resilience. Families face limited access to information and resources, while environmental shocks like floods and droughts further threaten livelihoods and well-being.
The absence of localized and inclusive approaches to planning and resource allocation exacerbates the issue, leaving communities without the tools or platforms to lead their own development. In addition, limited access to information and technology deprives individuals of the knowledge needed to make informed decisions, engage in civic action, or adapt to emerging challenges.
The Solution
Resilience cannot be achieved in isolation. SHOFCO’s holistic model integrates education, health, financial services, WASH, gender and inclusion, and the SHOFCO Urban Network (SUN), recognizing that each of these essential services strengthens the others. Together, they create the conditions for long-term resilience.
- Community organizing: we strengthen social cohesion and amplify the collective voice of marginalized groups. Through SUN, grassroots leaders are trained to advocate for policies that address local needs, including climate adaptation strategies, and to mobilize communities around shared goals such as peace-building and disaster preparedness.
- Gender equality: we ensure that women and girls have equitable access to education, leadership opportunities, and economic participation. SHOFCO’s initiatives address systemic barriers, engage men and boys as allies, and empower women to contribute meaningfully to their households and communities, thereby enhancing overall resilience.
- Health and wellbeing: we advance access to high-quality healthcare services and community-based health education and strengthen health systems by operating clinics and training community health workers.
- Economic opportunity: we foster economic opportunities by equipping individuals with skills training, business acumen, financial literacy, and access to credit through SHOFCO SACCO.
The Outcomes
Short-Term
- Increased access to essential services, including healthcare, clean water, and sanitation.
- Greater community participation in decision-making processes through SUN.
- Enhanced gender equality, with more women assuming leadership roles and accessing education.
Medium-Term
- Improved household income and economic stability through sustainable livelihoods and financial inclusion.
- Strengthened social cohesion and community networks, enabling collective responses to challenges.
- Enhanced access to healthcare and education, fostering healthier and more knowledgeable communities.
Long-Term
- Communities in informal settlements achieve self-sustaining resilience, adapting effectively to environmental and economic challenges.
- Equitable political representation and advocacy for inclusive policies across Kenya.
- A thriving ecosystem of empowered individuals and cohesive communities driving sustainable development.
The Impact
40
people accessing safe and clean water daily
4,497
mental health ambassadors trained across four counties
250,000
SUN members
