Community Vaccination Day 1
Day one at Undugu Grounds, and the mood is mixed — some people still hesitate, worn down by whispers about side effects; others step forward because they have seen what COVID did to work, worship, and wages. Both truths can sit in one queue; our job is clear information, shade where we can find it, and a steady hand at the station.
A good number of vaccinated people could reopen what poverty closed — sports, events, the small engines that help families breathe easier. Among those who came to encourage the effort were Lang’ata political aspirants from the United Democratic Alliance: Hon. Milton (Nairobi Senator), Hon. Kennedy Juma (MCA Nyayo Highrise), Hon. Najo Khan (MCA South C), and Hon. Davidson Ngibuini “DNG” (MCA Woodley). Politics aside, showing up matters when communities are afraid.
We also want to thank Kenton Price — an amazing part of ETCO over the past year — for helping fundraise activities that keep children fed and programmes running. If you can share accurate vaccine information in your chama or church group, do — truth is part of care.
Engaging Children through Feeding Program
Thanks to Chris and Jayne, ETCO had a warm feeding program for children at our new office—bringing joy, a good meal, and community together in Kibera.
Project Site Visit by Rotary Club of IPSWICH (USA) and Kikuyu (Kenya)
It was a great and engaging day of partnership and learning as we hosted the International Rotary Club of IPSWICH team, led by Environmental Lawyer Chris and his wife, Jane, Former President of Rotary Club of Kikuyu Hon. George Ngotho and Rotarian Yumbya for a visit to our project implementation sites. The visit provided an opportunity to review the project areas on the ground, discuss implementation priorities, and strengthen our shared commitment to sustainable environmental and community development. We also had the opportunity to visit the Nairobi Rivers Commission (NRC), where we were hosted by Commissioner Dr. Loice Kipkorir, a member of the Ngong River Committee. We explored opportunities to strengthen collaboration and align our work with the Nairobi Rivers Commission's Restoration Framework.
Community Capacity Building Training
We are currently participating in the ongoing PROVE (Public Space Governance Research, Observation, Validation and Experimentation) Pilot Programme, a four-month initiative by Public Space Networks (PSN) bringing together 11 community groups from Kamukunji and Korogocho. The programme focuses on strengthening community organizations’ capacity to manage, protect and improve public spaces as well as restoring rivers and it's ecosystems. The ongoing capacity-building training is helping CBOs and community organizations better understand the connection between public spaces, river restoration and ecosystem conservation, while exploring practical approaches and stronger collaboration among communities, government agencies, development partners and other stakeholders.