CRESS KENYA

HISTORY CRESS KENYA was started in 2009 by a group of university students who shared a common vision. It was duly registered in 2011 as nonprofit Community Based Organization. Three visionary young men and two ladies came together to start it with the main aim of empowering vulnerable children, youth and women in Nairobi informal settlements. It operates mainly in Mathare and Korogocho slums. Since its inception, it has helped over 5000 children complete their basic education, empowered 800 women and youth through entrepreneurship; participated in peace and conflict resolutions and counseling among the adolescents and drug addicts, gender based violence, human trafficking, child labor as well as community clean up. It boasts of membership drawn from youth, women, disabled and elderly persons. It has 1000 volunteers countrywide and its co-founders have participated in various international forums. 1.MISSION To empower vulnerable children, youth and women of Nairobi slums, educationally, economically so that they become part of change in their communities. 2.VISION To provide education to vulnerable children in the underprivileged parts of Kenya: empower youth and women economically through entrepreneurship and vocational training. 4.TEAM It is managed by a board and 3 Co-Founders. The board is comprised of 10 members and elected every year by members of the organization during annual general meeting. OUR WORK 5.YOUTH AND WOMEN EMPOWERMENT CRESS KENYA is a nonprofit Community Based Organization, which is dedicated to providing slum communities with the tools to create bright futures for themselves. Our community programs provide resources to further economic opportunity, education advancement and advance human rights, creating space for individuals to pave personal paths out of poverty. We support children in slums to acquire education through provision of books, stationery, uniforms, sanitary pads, sponsorships and sometimes school infrastructure. We equip the vulnerable group with computer skills, adult literacy and entrepreneurship training. We organize for gatherings around issues that affect slum residents: rape, insecurity and unemployment among youth and women. CRESS KENYA provides critical support as slum residents lead the way to a better tomorrow for themselves, their families, and their community. 6.EDUCATION CRESS provides educational support services to schools and vulnerable children in slums. This approach invites both genders to be part of the solution and builds a community invested in its own future—ultimately, transforming the face of urban poverty while creating tomorrow’s leaders We provide a superior education to the future engines of social change in Nairobi’s slums. 7.PEACE AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION We conduct door to door campaigns preaching peace and security. We have partnered with security agencies both at the local and national to ensure that those engaged in crimes are punished. We work with local administrators and religious leaders to ensure there is high security in the slums. We have groups of young people who update us on crimes taking place and who are behind them. We use community radios to preach peaceful co-existence. We also organize for sporting activities when schools close in order to bring youth together. 3.COMMUNITY CLEAN UP We mobilize the community to conduct weekend cleaning where everyone participates. This has improved hygiene in the slums. It is also a way of fostering unity since people from different ethnic communities come together for a common course. We have partnered with other organizations which support us in many ways.