Safe Space for children.
The El Niño season presses down on Kibera like a wet blanket: paths turn slick, runoff cuts quick channels between houses, and schools close just when routines disappear. On a day like that, a child’s world can shrink to whatever doorway is nearest — or whatever risk looks like fun when boredom wins.
Flooded alleys, fast run-off, and open streams are not abstract warnings here. They are places where a sandal slips, where waterborne illness travels quietly, where malaria finds new corners. Families watch the sky and count the hours until dry ground returns.
Saturdays at ETCO: food, play, and a door that stays open
ETCO runs a safe space for children every Saturday — games, conversation, and a children’s feeding programme that lands a proper meal at lunchtime. While plates are prepared, young ones stay busy; when food is served, empty stomachs get relief and parents get a little room to breathe. Some children help chop vegetables or stir pots, picking up kitchen confidence they will use at home.
When schools close during heavy weather, supervision thins out — older siblings are sent for water, caregivers take extra shifts, and idle hours can drift toward trouble. A predictable Saturday at ETCO will not solve every hazard, but it gives eyes on children for a few precious hours: adults who notice a fever, who redirect a risky game, who make sure a bowl is not the only warm thing a child receives that day.
None of this happens without people who give — food, time, small cash sent by M-PESA. If you have ever packed an extra bag of maize flour or shown up to wash dishes, thank you. The need rises with the rain; the invitation to stand with us on a Saturday still stands.
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.