Skills training centre for 14-25 yr olds - Nairobi

Dear friend,

Thanks to your generous donations, you have made it possible for Raising Futures Kenya to dream big and create a purpose-built and accessible Seed of Hope vocational training centre in Dagoretti informal settlement, Nairobi, Kenya. An investment in a permanent centre, to equip young people experiencing poverty with the skills, hope, and opportunity to become financially self-sufficient, and live free from poverty and exploitation.

We are absolutely thrilled to share with you that construction on the Nairobi Seed of Hope site has officially begun - marking the start of an exciting new chapter! It has been a long time coming but in July 2023, site clearance and demolition took place, foundation trenches dug and now cement for the foundations has been poured! 

We want to express huge thanks for being part of making this vital project happen. After the long wait it’s moving at great pace. And is needed now more than ever. Right now, across Kenya, rising inflation, high youth unemployment and severe drought are pushing more people into deeper poverty, with women and girls hardest hit. Having condensed our courses in 2021, we were able to reach record numbers of young people last year, but demand continues to grow, and our Nairobi centre is at capacity. It is critical to expand now in order that we turn no young person away. 

After 7 years, the temporary classrooms at Dagoretti are now being replaced with a permanent single-storey brick and stone building, with the opportunity to add a second storey on top in future. In this single-storey phase, we will be constructing 4 classrooms and a toilet block, and relocate the converted shipping container classrooms to be used for our storage, a staff room, and Business Hub for graduates.  

Thanks to your support, this build will mean that we can:

• Expand, add new courses, and reach more vulnerable young people each year; majority girls
• Improve the facilities to benefit teaching and learning
• Improve accessibility for all students
• Create a Business Hub to support graduates in running their own small businesses
• Register as an official Technical Vocational Education and Training institution, adding credibility to replicate our teaching model to other providers.
• Continue to ensure that Nairobi Seed of Hope graduates secure employment, or successfully start their own business, and 95% become financially secure (able to live above the poverty line) within 18 months of graduating. 

"The impact of this building project will be massive! Our current temporary structures have been limiting our capacity to cater to more students. With the new building, we'll be able to expand our programs and reach more young people in the community. It's a fantastic step towards transforming more lives through skills training and empowerment." - Florence, Seed of Hope Programme Manager. 

Current students said: "I'm proud to be part of Seed of Hope's growth. The new building represents a bright future for us and the community." and "Through the Seed of Hope programme [Raising Futures Kenya] is investing in our potential…and that makes us feel valued and hopeful for the future."  

Your support is deeply appreciated and still needed as we will seek to raise funds for equipment and furniture for new courses and classrooms, and conversion of the shipping containers to reuse as a business hub. Look out for the Little x Little GlobalGiving match funding campaign from 18-22 September, for details for how to double your donation during that time! 

Thank you so much and we hope you enjoy, the photos below showing the build getting underway! You can also follow progress on our website (see our build blog) and social media (facebook, instagram)

Every best wish, 

Florence Olwenge, Mary Mwangi, and the Raising Futures Kenya Team