Child Empowerment
Our Flagship Programme
The Children Feeding Program is the heartbeat of ETCO. Every Saturday in Kibera's Soweto East, we gather approximately 350 children, 100 elderly individuals, and 50 youth for a nutritious meal — and much more. What started as a simple feeding initiative has grown into a holistic programme that addresses food insecurity, child development, and community wellbeing.
More Than a Meal
Before the food is served, children dive into a rich programme of activities. They participate in African cultural music and dance classes, drawing and painting sessions, computer lessons at our Computer Centre, sports, drama, and life skills training. These activities nurture talent, build confidence, and provide constructive alternatives to the negative influences that surround young people in informal settlements.
For many children, Saturday at ETCO is the highlight of their week — a safe space where they are seen, fed, and encouraged. During school holidays, numbers swell as parents who are out working know their children will be looked after, engaged, and nourished.
A Safe Space
Kibera faces compounding challenges — from El Niño flooding and disease risks to economic volatility and the everyday pressures of poverty. ETCO's Saturday programme provides a reliable anchor. Children come knowing there will be food, play, learning, and adults who care. That consistency matters: it builds trust, belonging, and emotional resilience.
We have also taken children beyond Kibera on learning trips, including visits to the Nairobi National Museum, where many experienced history, nature, and culture outside the settlement for the first time.
Partnerships That Multiply Impact
The programme is sustained through ETCO's own fundraising, donations, sponsorships, and partnerships. Organisations like the Uebert Angel Foundation, Good News Church, and Victory Farms Kenya have partnered with us to serve record numbers — on one occasion reaching over 920 children, 230 elderly people, and 125 youth in a single day.
Visitors regularly join our Saturdays to lead life skills sessions, donate supplies, and share encouragement — turning feeding days into community events that grow stronger every week.
What Children Receive
- A nutritious weekly meal, often their most reliable food source
- Music, dance, art, drama, and computer education
- Life skills training and mentorship from volunteers
- A supervised, safe environment away from harmful influences
- Exposure trips and learning experiences outside Kibera