Art: African Cultural Music and Dance
Between stirring pots and wiping tables on Saturdays, something new began to pulse at ETCO: the slap of skin on drum, a tentative foot finding the beat, a chorus of children who usually only hum now trying harmony. With support from Joseph Tako and our board, we bought traditional instruments — tools for teaching African cultural music and dance to young people who already carry rhythm in their bodies, but rarely get structured time to sharpen it.
Culture here is not a museum piece. It is the story families tell while cooking ugali, the songs heard at weddings, the movements older aunties still remember from village days. We want children in Kibera to own that inheritance — to know it is not backward to love your own sound.
Saturdays: food first, then art
Alongside the feeding programme, Grade 6 and above already have free computer lessons; now dance and song join the lineup while younger ones wait for lunch. In Kenya’s CBC classrooms, teachers hunt for evidence of talent — we want parents to see ETCO as a partner in that search, not a rival.
Bring your child to ETCO offices on Saturdays for practice. If you play nyatiti, drums, or anything with strings and patience, we are also looking for volunteer teachers who can stay kind with beginners. Talent grows where time and tools meet — we are trying to supply both.
From Participation to Agency: ETCO at the SAIIA Youth Programming Innovation Lab
Last week, ETCO represented Kibra at the SAIIA Youth Programming Innovation Lab in Nairobi — where the real question wasn't youth participation, but youth agency. Here's what that means for our nine programmes, and an honest look at what it takes to build sustainably as a volunteer-run organisation.
Creating Impact, Building a Better Tomorrow
At ETCO, we're committed to creating lasting positive impact by keeping our environment safe and clean while creating meaningful employment opportunities for our communities. Through innovation and strategic partnerships with like-minded stakeholders, we're working together to achieve shared goals that drive sustainable development. We're also conducting a comprehensive economic survey to better understand the project's returns, impact, and scalability—ensuring every step we take is informed, effective, and built for long-term success.
Planning Meeting with PSN - Waste Management Project
Today's ETCO had logistical planning meeting at PSN Office to discuss the upcoming waste management project... Good things take time.