At CFK Africa, local leadership is a key component of our Theory of Change. For 24 years, we have been committed to co-creating with our community, developing a platform for the incredible talent, innovation, and drive of informal settlement residents.
On Saturday, July 13, we presented our Annual Community Awards to outstanding individuals and groups who represent CFK Africa’s mission of transforming informal settlements across Africa. We were grateful to have US Ambassador to Kenya, Meg Whitman, present some of our awardees at CFK Africa HQ in Kibera. This includes the Kibera Soccer Women’s FC, our very own soccer team, and the first women’s team from informal settlements to qualify for Kenya’s Premier League. Earlier this month, team competed in the Football Kenya Federation’s Women’s Cup Final, continuing to prove to the world the resilience of informal settlement athletes as they not only train as soccer players but also as agents of social change and girls empowerment.
We are honored to announce the full list of awardees below:
Kibera Soccer Women Football Club
The only informal settlement team in Kenya’s Premiere League, the Kibera Soccer Women FC is inspiring others with their dedication, community commitment, and ascension through the Football Kenya Federation. These talented players use their platform to act as CFK Africa social change champions and advocate for girls’ empowerment around issues of sexual reproductive health, education, and gender equity, showing to the world the talent and resilience of informal settlement athletes. Members of the team lead Safe Spaces sessions for vulnerable girls in the community, and the players have completed training on combatting all forms of gender-based violence with the Langata sub-county officer in charge of Gender Based Violence.
Kibera Community Emergency Response Team
With CFK Africa and other community partners, the Kibera Community Emergency Response Team serves the community during the greatest times of need. In the past year, Kibera has faced multiple crises including political protests, a medical workers strike, and catastrophic flooding in Kenya. The KCERT equips and serves the people of Kibera by supporting local emergency service agencies in disaster and emergency response, promoting safety education, and emergency and disaster preparedness. This includes exemplary service and response during the April and May flooding, including distributing donated food and other essential supplies to flooding victims.
Andrew Otieno Odongo
An alumni of CFK Africa’s Lux Sit and Jim Rogers scholarship program, Andrew is dedicated to a lifetime of service to his community. After graduating from secondary school, he completed ICT training at CFK Africa’s Youth Friendly Services Center and earned a scholarship for software engineering at Moringa School. He has since worked for a tech start-up creating an African E-Health platform, interned with Palace Media, and won a year-long scholarship from the Mastercard Foundation. In 2023, he returned to CFK Africa to volunteer with the scholarship program, conducting STEM sessions for students and taking scholars to Zetech University’s Hackathon for World Engineering Day. Andrew is committed to giving back and mentoring youth in the community to be able to achieve their career aspirations.
St. Stephens School
St. Stephens School is committed to the success of young students in Kibera. Their participation in CFK Africa’s Best Schools Initiative confirms their dedication to improving learner outcomes. Their timely data submissions to the project have greatly facilitated monitoring processes for student attendance, contributing to increased retention and graduation. They have also hosted guests and visitors, demonstrating to the world the importance of education for uplifting opportunities for young people. Their exemplary service to the children of Kibera has significantly impacted many pupils with outstanding academic performance.
Coach David Bujego, Kibera Soccer FC
Coach David Bujego is committed to the power of soccer to transform the lives of youth in Kibera. As the coach of Kibera Soccer FC, he has promoted both the boys’ and girl’s teams, with the boys’ team currently in the second-tier league and the girls’ team having ascended to the premier league. He has been a part of CFK Arica’s sports for development program since 2002 when he played in our soccer tournaments at the age of 12, and got his start coaching through CFK Africa in 2008. For over a decade, Coach Bujego has been changing the lives of his players through mentorship, championing for his teams, and teaching valuable lessons through soccer.
Millicent Nandoya
Millicent Nandoya is a dedicated and passionate Community Health Promoter with over 5 years of experience in improving community health outcomes, especially in Maternal and Child Health. Her commitment to health education and preventive health care has made a significant impact in Kichinjio village, earning her recognition as the chairlady of all Community Health Promoters in Kichinjio. Millicent’s inclusive approach to health promotion makes her a Community Champion.
Joyce Omondi, Olympic High School
Madam Joyce Omondi is a strong advocate for the CFK Africa’s Funzo Project and the Return-to-School policy for teenage mothers. She provides an accommodative environment for teenage mothers in her school, offering guidance and counselling. She also goes the extra mile to chip in for any arising needs brought forward by the girls and serves as one of CFK Africa’s community advisory board members. Thank you, Madam Joyce for ensuring that teenage mothers at her school are given equal opportunity to thrive.
Slums Going Green and Clean (SGGC)
Slums Going Green and Clean (SGGC) is improving the living conditions in informal settlements by promoting environmental sustainability and cleanliness. With a vision to have an Eco-conscious generation that will bring positive change, the CBO engages the community in matters to address climate change, waste management and awareness creation in waste disposal. SGGC works with local youth in Kibera to actively clean-up and sensitize community members on the importance of keeping the environment clean. Since its inception in 2017, the CBO has gathered momentum and through recruitment of 288 members and works with over 500 other community members to clean up Kibera and other environmental impact activities.
James Okoth Odongo
James Okoth Odongo is a 24-year-old resident of Gatwekera village whose support was integral during the devastating flooding period in Kibera. Once a fisherman in Lake Victoria, his diving expertise and selflessness pushed him to help the community members who had been affected by the floods during their greatest time of need. His selflessness is honorable, and we thank him for his service.
