Stories of Progress
The Power of Lishe Bora: Meet Edith & LexiWhen Edith realized her daughter was underweight, she reached out to our nutrition program for help. Less than a year later, her daughter was successfully discharged and is now able to enjoy a happy, healthy childhood.
Learning to Listen: Advisory Council Member Steve ArnoldWith experience traveling and living in informal settlements in Africa, India, and China, our newest Advisory Council member, Steve Arnold, reflects on the importance of social context and listening in effective development work.
What we learned from our friend Madeleine AlbrightWe were fortunate to have Madeleine Albright as a member of our Global Advisory Council. Co-founder and board chair, Rye Barcott, reflects on his friendship with Secretary Albright and shares three lessons we can learn from her life of service.
Talent is Universal. Opportunity is Not.Born into a family of seven, Josephat Agaki has faced significant financial challenges his entire life, but a CFK Africa scholarship gave him the opportunity he needed to excel. Now, he is in his final year at university.
Bridging Digital Divides for YouthThough youth in informal settlements often struggle with economic insecurity, they are innovative, creative, and enterprising, forging their own paths, establishing small businesses, and developing niche skills to support themselves and their families.
Drawing on Data to Improve Water Quality in SchoolsEveryone deserves access to clean water, and regularly monitoring water quality is part of achieving that goal. We're working with schools to make sure students and teachers stay safe and healthy.
The Evolution of CFK: From Carolina for Kibera to CFK AfricaA lot has changed since 2001. As we begin expanding to informal settlements beyond Kibera, we are thrilled to announce that we have changed our name from Carolina for Kibera to CFK Africa!
Douglas: Role Model. Self-Starter. Poet.After losing his job due to COVID-19, Douglas connected with CFK's Entrepreneurship and Economic Development project to learn new skills. Now, he is a role model for other youth in his community.
Insights: Adapting to the Needs of Evolving CommunitiesAnneliese Gegenheimer visited CFK for the first time in 2012. When she returned in 2021, she was struck by how the organization had adapted to meet the community's evolving needs.
Two Clinics. One Year: Meet Jared WilsonAfter finishing standard eight (grade eight), Jared Wilson lost his father. That was the moment Jared realized the need for localized healthcare and greater health education in his community. This year, he opened two clinics amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
CFK Pioneers COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Strategy in Kiambu CountyDespite the growing availability of COVID-19 vaccines worldwide, significant disparities in access remain. CFK developed a tailored COVID-19 vaccine distribution strategy in partnership with the Ministry of Health to improve delivery and promote vaccine acceptance in Kiambu County.
Celebrating the Second Anniversary of our Tabitha Maternity HomeThis year, we're celebrating the second anniversary of our Tabitha Maternity Home and marking one year of ambulance operations. Meet our ambulance driver, Nicholas Okumu.
CFK Discusses Maternal and Child Health Amidst COVID-19 on KirkTV KenyaRecently, CFK senior nurse, Florence Mwaluda, of Tabitha Maternity Home was featured on KirkTV Kenya’s Health Nuggets news segment about maternal and child health amidst COVID-19.
Celebrating 20 Years of ServiceIt all started with $26, an unlikely connection, and a commitment to service. Read about the origin of CFK as we celebrate our co-founder Tabitha's birth week.
CFK Leaders Discuss Expansion & Advocate for Informal Settlements on NTV KenyaCFK Executive Director, Hillary Omala, and Partnerships and Fundraising Manager, Ann Kungu, discussed CFK’s expansion plans and the importance of community development work in informal settlements during an hour-long NTV Kenya segment on August 31.
Celebrating the 2020 Angaza Scholarship GraduatesThis year, CFK celebrated a milestone as 89% of the 2020 graduating class of Angaza Scholars excelled in the KSCE exam with university-qualifying grades. A few graduates discussed their future plans and the experiences they had through the Angaza Project.
Managing Menstrual Hygiene & Addressing Menstrual ShameEducating young people on proper menstrual hygiene management is the first step in addressing misinformation and menstrual shame. On this year's Menstrual Hygiene Day, CFK led open discussions with adolescent girls and young women and distributed critical sanitary products.
Hillary Omala Represents Informal Settlements on NTV Kenya PanelCFK executive director, Hillary Omala, discussed the social and economic impacts of COVID-19 on residents of informal settlements during a panel discussion broadcast on NTV Kenya on April 28.
Launching the CFK Alumni NetworkAs a part of celebrating the 20th anniversary of CFK, we are launching the first-ever CFK volunteer alumni network, led by Yaniv Barzilai, which will invite past volunteers to reconnect and reminisce on their time in Kibera.
Building Foundations to Foster Aspirations in KiberaGrowing up just a few miles outside of Kibera, George Kuria always knew that the community was teeming with immeasurable potential. Now, he serves on CFK’s Board, helping bring greater opportunity to Kibera.
Rethinking the Role of Sport During COVID-19Sport education is a powerful means to foster physical fitness and mental well-being as well as social attitudes and behavior while populations are locked down. We remain committed to supporting young people throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
Introducing our 2021 Peacock FellowKeerti Kalluru is joining CFK as our 2021 Peacock Fellow. Keerti is a UNC student studying nutrition and human development and family studies. This year, she will be helping develop communications and fundraising material for our 20th Anniversary.
Celebrating International Women’s Day 2021As part of the K-GAN, CFK worked with 25 local organizations to organize a procession and celebration in honor of this year's International Women's Day, which recognized the critical role women play in ensuring an equitable recovery from COVID-19.
Research, Connections, and CommunityBorn, raised, and educated in Kibera, Melvin Ochieng connected with CFK during its early years. Now, 15 years later, he works as a Research Scientist at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), one of CFK’s largest research partners.
Reflecting on School Reopening in KenyaAfter a 10-month hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic, schools in Kenya re-opened for all students on January 4, 2021. CFK is working with teachers and students to ensure they have the tools and knowledge needed to return to school safely.
Championing Child Development through Nutrition and PlayDespite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Frankline Mwenda and his nutrition team have successfully cured and discharged 45 previously malnourished children during the pandemic. Now, they're continuing to respond to increased needs and expanding their impact in Kibera.
Securing More than a ScholarshipWith her parents unable to financially support two children through secondary school, Nancy Muga had two options: wait for her brother to graduate or secure a scholarship for herself.
Promoting Healthy Decisions through Counseling and ConnectionsVictrine Oluoch was born to be a counselor. Growing up, she frequently offered advice to her friends, and, after serving as a peer mentor in high school, she recognized that her interest could lead to a purposeful career.
2020 Year in Review: Our Work in PicturesIn 2020, CFK expanded its impact in Kibera, responded to emergency needs created by the COVID-19 pandemic, and celebrated milestones across its programs. Moving forward, CFK seeks to expand its programs and services to additional informal settlements in Kenya.
Empowering Girls & Creating Sustainable ImpactRaised in an informal settlement, Sarah has always been acutely aware of the challenges girls face in disenfranchised communities. Understanding first-hand the threat of gender inequality, she made it her personal mission to work with and empower young women and girls to have education and self-efficacy.