Today, ETCO had the privilege of attending a capacity-building workshop organized by UN-Habitat, ICLEI Africa, and KDI, as part of the 3EP project—Emphasising Ecosystem, Elevating People. The workshop focused on the application of Nature-Based Solutions (NbS), Ecosystem-Based Adaptation (EbA), the Human Rights-Based Approach (HRBA), and participatory planning methods, particularly for river regeneration in Nairobi.
Community Sensitization and March
Yesterday, ETCO (www.etco-kenya.org) being part of the Ngong River Regeneration Network - Zone 2 held a significant march along the Ngong Rivers, covering areas in Kibera and Lang'ata Constituency within the Slums. The event was attended by 92 groups and organizations that form the network, along with other interested partners and individuals, including around 70 children, whose participation added a colorful and hopeful aspect to the event. Overall, the march attracted at least 362 participants, all united in spreading the key message of the day: the community’s crucial role in the regeneration of the rivers. The primary goal of the walk was to sensitize community members about the government’s ongoing plans to regenerate the Ngong Rivers. However, the event also served to remind the community that the government must actively involve them in the planning processes, especially when it comes to the evacuation efforts, and ensure that due procedures, including proper facilitation, are followed. The event highlighted the importance of community engagement in environmental initiatives, reinforcing the idea that sustainable development requires collaborative efforts between the government and the local people. Commissioner Eva from the Nairobi Rivers Commission, who attended the event, addressed the participants, explaining the government’s approach to regenerating the rivers, especially in Kibera Slums. She underscored the necessity of the recent evacuations along Nairobi and Mathare Rivers, noting that they were mandated by an executive order aimed at protecting lives during the destructive El Niño season.
🌳 Community Walk/March Invitation 🌳
Dear Community Members of Kibera, Lang'ata Constituency, and its neighbors, The Ngong Rivers Regeneration Network - Zone 2 warmly invites you to join us for a walk/march tomorrow from Kibra 42 area to Highrise - Seafar Area. The event will start at 8:00 a.m., with meet-up time at 7:30 a.m., and will conclude at 12:00 noon. Our goal is to raise awareness about the benefits of maintaining a clean environment and the importance of living in a safe, healthy space. We encourage everyone to participate, share ideas, and engage in discussions on preserving our riparian areas and supporting initiatives that help the government and community mitigate the negative impacts of climate change. (Each group is expected to come with at least 20 people) Let’s come together, walk for our environment, and inspire others to take action. Join us, and don’t forget to spread the word! See you there!
Voluntary Clean Up - Railways Estate Phase 3
Today, we conducted a voluntary cleanup with the goal of collecting readily available waste. As we work towards securing funding, our aim is to mobilize more people to help us gather and sort a significant amount of waste. On day two, we continued our voluntary efforts to secure areas where we can access waste for future sorting. We engaged six youths, offering them $5 per day for their assistance. So far, we've been at it for seven days.
Ngong Rivers Regeneration Network - Zone 2
The Foundation of Hope in collaboration with the Ngong Rivers Zone 2 Regeneration Network (ETCO included) organized a successful cleanup and sensitization activity in Kiandaa village, Sarang'ombe Ward, Kibra Constituency.
Site Visit, Meetings, Sensitization and Clean Up - Ngong River
Today, ETCO, in collaboration with local and international partners, hosted a community awareness and cleanup event in Soweto East village, Nyayo Highrise Ward, Lang'ata Constituency. The event was graced by notable figures such as Power Engineers' Don Stuartuvent, Erik Nquist, and Gino; Ecologists Without Borders' Cleve Stuart; Nairobi Rivers Commission's Rebecca Bor; Kounkey Designs Initiative's Ibrahim and his team, PAKPRO's Melissa Kasaba; and various Nairobi County officials including Assistant County Commissioner Rodrick Cheruiyot, District County Commissioner Eliud Waweru Ngung'u, area chiefs Isaac and Kennedy, and the office of the area Member of County Assembly representative, Moses Oyoo. Stakeholders from Ngong' Rivers Zone 2 and community members also participated.
Day 2 (Site Visit, Capacity building and partners' meetings)
On the second day of our site visits and meetings, the ETCO team participated in a capacity-building training provided by Care Kenya. This session was crucial for us to understand the importance of sharing household responsibilities to be supportive and effective family members. During this training, our environmental program partners, EcoWB and Power Engineers, joined us and gained insight into our activities beyond our environmental care initiatives.
Day 1 of Partners (EcoWB and Power Engineers) Site Visit
Our partners from EcoWB and Power Engineers arrived yesterday. After a welcome meeting at IBIS Hotel, we took an evening walk to have an overview of the site and office. The 1st team to arrive was Cleve from EcoWB and Erik from Power Engineers.
Happy for partnerships
Yesterday, ETCO, together with the UEBERT Angel Foundation and The GOOD News, collaborated to make ETCO's Saturday Children Feeding Program a resounding success. This initiative provided nutritious meals to children in need, ensuring they have the energy and nourishment necessary for their growth and development. The joint effort between these organizations exemplifies the power of collaboration in addressing community challenges and supporting the well-being of its youngest members.
Goodness of partnership
Yesterday, ETCO, in collaboration with , the Uebert Angel Foundation (UAF) and the Good News Church, celebrated the success of their Saturday feeding program on June 29th. This initiative saw more than 380 individuals, ranging from children to the elderly, receiving nourishment and support. The partnership between ETCO and UAF, particularly with the SE Nairobi branch, was crucial in ensuring the program's success. ETCO expresses gratitude for this collaboration and eagerly anticipates continued teamwork to positively impact society.
ETCO's Saturday Children Feeding Program
This is a crucial initiative aimed at addressing food insecurity among vulnerable children in the community. Every Saturday, we provide nutritious meals to children who might otherwise go hungry. By offering this support, ETCO not only alleviates immediate hunger but also helps to create a more stable environment for children to thrive, both physically and mentally.
Extended days for Community Environmental Clean Up
The loading of collected solid waste from temporary disposal points was scheduled for day four. However, due to technical issues and other unavoidable circumstances, the trucks couldn't reach the sites on time. The first lorry arrived at the Nairobi West site around 2 p.m. and was loaded within an hour and a half, facilitating timely transportation to the Dandora dumping site. At approximately 10 p.m. yesterday, our committed team of community volunteers, along with PAKPRO and KEPRO teams, worked through the night to collect and load garbage in the Mashimoni area of Laini-saba Ward in Kibra. This effort involved loading two trucks and took about five hours, leaving many of us with little to no sleep as we had to prepare for further collection and loading at Mbagathi/Highrise and Seafar sites early the next morning.
Day 3 of 3 KEPRO and PAKPRO Ngong Rivers Clean Up
Today is the 3rd day of the Ngong River cleanup initiative. It's been a head to head work in three major areas (Mashimoni area in Kibera, at the bridge near Highrise Estate and Nairobi West) along the Ngong Rivers. ETCO has gained valuable insights into the cleanup process, which are essential for maintaining the sustainability of our efforts. We've learned crucial lessons on environmental suitability and effective resource management, ensuring that our initiatives have a lasting impact.