Grateful for the far we've come
Some Saturdays we run out of spoons before we run out of children. The feeding programme has become that kind of heartbeat — loud pots, quiet prayers, line stretching past the gate.
We do not pretend the road has been smooth. Ingredients spike overnight; a cooker fails; rain turns the lane to soup. Still the queue forms, because hunger does not negotiate.
We are grateful. Grateful for volunteers who miss Premier League kickoff to chop cabbage; for donors who send M-PESA when their own budgets are tight; for partners who sign contracts and then show up in person to prove they meant the ink.
Faith, for many of us, is not an escape from Kibera; it is the reason we stay faithful to Kibera — believing children deserve more than survival.
We remember the Saturdays when rice ran out before the line did — faces we had to turn away with a voucher and a promise. Those days sit in the stomach of this work; they are why we refuse to romanticise hunger.
Still, the pots return. So do the aunties who know exactly how much salt the stew needs when funds are short — wisdom no spreadsheet captures.
If you have given before, consider a monthly gift so we can plan beyond next week. If you have never given, try one Saturday of your time. The far we have come is measured in bowls, not slogans — and we are only halfway home.
Day 1 Unclogging
Day 1. Today, ETCO in collaboration with the Nairobi Rivers Commission, Phase 3 and Canaan Estate Management, commenced efforts to address the long-standing drainage blockage at the Phase 3 Market Stalls. While this intervention provides a short-term solution to the recurring blockage that frequently causes flooding and related challenges in both Phase 3 and Canaan Estate, as well as inconveniences road users accessing Kibera through Nyayo Highrise Ward via Kibera Access Road, we strongly urge the management of both estates to establish a regular maintenance schedule for the culverts to prevent future clogging. With the anticipated El Niño rains, proactive preparedness is essential to minimize the risk of further property damage, flooding, stormwater-related impacts, and potential loss of life. These ongoing efforts form part of our commitment to protecting the environment, improving drainage systems, and ensuring that rivers and waterways flow freely without obstruction.
Day of an African Child (DAC) - Planning Meeting
Kibera Gender Advocacy Network (KGAN) Meeting at Umande Trust Office to plan for the Day Of an African Child (DAC) on the 16TH June 2026. ETCO is a member organization.
Ngong River Regeneration Network - Zone (1-6)
The Ngong River Regeneration Network Zone Coordinators (Zones 1–6) held a productive meeting with the Commissioners representing the Ngong River, chaired by Commissioner Benjamin Langwen, alongside Commissioners John Kioli and Dr. Loice Jepkemboi Kipkiror, together with Inspector Ashford - NRC Secretariat. The meeting was highly engaging and inspiring, leaving us even more energized and committed to advancing the river restoration agenda. Together, we reaffirmed our shared commitment to not only regenerating our rivers, but also promoting a cleaner environment, encouraging food production through downstream farming, and creating sustainable job opportunities through riverine activities. #NgongRiverRestoration #NairobiRivers #EnvironmentalConservation #RiverRegeneration #ClimateAction #CommunityEmpowerment #GreenJobs