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.
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.