HOK Africa

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HOK Africa Improving the well-being and livelihoods of vulnerable groups in Kenya through social protection, sustainable livelihoods and Climate Action.

Homeless of Kisumu offers psycho-social support and empowerment initiatives to street-connected children, youth aiming to rehabilitate, heal, educate, develop and empower them to a future away from the street. Homeless Of Kisumu brings together various individuals and organizations who are passionate about the welfare of children and youth in Kisumu County and the greater western Kenya region.

Behind every growing business is a journey of courage, learning and taking action. For Awino Owino, founder of Okumba Na...
03/10/2026

Behind every growing business is a journey of courage, learning and taking action. For Awino Owino, founder of Okumba Naturals in Kisumu, that journey began with a passion for creating handmade soaps and scented candles and a bigger dream of developing natural body-care products such as body butters and moisturisers.

Before attending the Product Certification Training, Awino was not fully familiar with the processes involved in formalising her business, including the requirements for KEBS certification and accessing larger markets such as hotels. The training gave her the knowledge and confidence to take action, and she went on to officially register Okumba Naturals through the Business Registration Service (BRS).

For Awino, the certificate is more than a document. It represents progress, confidence and a stronger foundation for the future.

Her journey continues, with plans to obtain a Single Business Permit, pursue KEBS certification, expand her product range and ultimately reach bigger markets, including supplying hotels and other clients.

From handmade soaps and candles to a growing vision for natural body care, Okumba Naturals is proof that when knowledge meets determination, a dream can take a meaningful step towards becoming a thriving business.

We are proud to celebrate Awino and her journey of turning passion into purpose, while building a proudly local and sustainable business.

Day Two of the Regional Mental Health Conference brought together practitioners, researchers, policymakers, organisation...
02/10/2026

Day Two of the Regional Mental Health Conference brought together practitioners, researchers, policymakers, organisations and advocates from across the region, all contributing different experiences and perspectives to the conversation around mental health and psychosocial wellbeing.

For the HOK team, being at the conference was an opportunity not only to represent our work under the Jiboreshe Sports for Wellness Programme, but also to learn, connect and share ideas with others working towards more inclusive and accessible mental health support.

Through the exhibition space and conversations around the conference, we had the chance to engage with partners and fellow practitioners, exchange experiences and explore how different approaches can complement one another. The sessions also challenged us to think more deeply about community mental health, youth wellbeing, research, psychosocial support and the systems needed to sustain this work.

As we return to our communities, we carry with us ideas to reflect on, lessons to apply and conversations that will continue beyond the conference. For us, the real value of gathering like this is not only in what happens in the room, but in what we take from it and turn into action.

The work continues; listening, learning and showing up for the children, young people and families we walk alongside in Kisumu County.

Sometimes, creating space for conversation is where change begins.At the Regional Mental Health Conference in Kisumu, we...
01/10/2026

Sometimes, creating space for conversation is where change begins.

At the Regional Mental Health Conference in Kisumu, we were honoured to host a breakout session and share our community-based approach to mental health and psychosocial wellbeing through the Jiboreshe Sports for Wellness Programme.

The session gave us an opportunity to share what we have learnt from walking alongside children and young people: that a football pitch can become a space for healing, that resilience grows through relationships, and that consistent support can make a lasting difference.

We also joined a panel discussion with voices from HOK and our partner organisations, exploring the realities of community-led mental health work; the challenges, the collaboration it demands and what it takes to build approaches that can last.

We left the conversation reminded that meaningful mental health support cannot be built from a distance. It has to listen to communities, learn from lived experiences and create space for people to shape the solutions that affect their lives.

We are excited to announce that Homeless of Kisumu will be exhibiting at the Kenya Sustainable Water & Waste Management ...
30/09/2026

We are excited to announce that Homeless of Kisumu will be exhibiting at the Kenya Sustainable Water & Waste Management Policy Forum, taking place on 7–8 October 2026 in Nairobi, Kenya.

Under the theme “Waste to Wealth,” the forum provides an important platform for stakeholders to come together, share experiences, showcase innovative solutions, and discuss sustainable approaches to water and waste management.

Our team is looking forward to exhibiting, connecting, and engaging with policymakers, organizations, innovators, community actors and other partners who are passionate about creating cleaner and more sustainable communities.

At Homeless of Kisumu, we believe waste management presents an opportunity to promote environmental sustainability, create livelihoods, restore dignity and contribute to resilient communities.

We look forward to sharing our experiences, learning from others and exploring meaningful partnerships that can turn waste into opportunity and wealth. Come and connect with our team, we would love to engage with you and explore how, together, we can build a cleaner and more sustainable future.

đź“Ť Nairobi, Kenya
📅 7–8 October 2026
đź•— 8:00 AM

HOK Africa is heading to the Regional Mental Health Conference 2026! 🎤We're honoured to be hosting a session at this yea...
28/09/2026

HOK Africa is heading to the Regional Mental Health Conference 2026! 🎤

We're honoured to be hosting a session at this year's conference, where practitioners, policymakers and advocates from across the region come together under the theme "Voices of Experience Empowering Healing."

Our session: Voices Beyond the Streets and the System: Empowering Healing and Resilience Among Vulnerable Children and Youth in Kisumu, Kenya

We'll be sharing our experience working with street-connected children and youth, children in conflict with the law, and vulnerable young people in Kisumu's informal settlements — and why we believe healing happens in relationship, not punishment.

📅 29th–30th September 2026
đź“Ť The Grand Royal Swiss, Kisumu, Kenya

Grateful to TINADA Youth Action Africa and CBM Global Disability Inclusion for their partnership in bringing this conversation to the region.

24/09/2026

What if waste tracking data could actually build livelihoods?

That’s the premise behind Circular Shift , a youth and women-centered and WasteTech project advancing inclusive, data-driven material recovery in Kisumu, where data becomes infrastructure for economic inclusion, not just monitoring.

Through the M-taka Tech Platform, Circular Shift works with informal waste actors across the recycling value chain to strengthen business skills, improve market access and enable fair pricing, traceability, and more efficient operations , creating opportunities for data-driven entrepreneurship.

By combining technology, entrepreneurship and real-time data, the project is helping transform Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) into viable community business hubs; creating pathways to dignified livelihoods and a stronger circular economy.

Catch our story at KSWWMPF 2026.

HOK joined the Lake Victoria Annual Run, organized by the Kisumu Youth Wash Parliament , bringing together youth, commun...
22/09/2026

HOK joined the Lake Victoria Annual Run, organized by the Kisumu Youth Wash Parliament , bringing together youth, communities and environmental champions to promote the protection of Lake Victoria.

Beyond the run, the event created a platform to raise awareness, mobilize communities and inspire practical action around waste management, clean water, sanitation and environmental conservation.

The run strengthened community awareness, encouraged youth participation in environmental action and reinforced the need for continuous efforts to reduce pollution and protect the lake and the livelihoods that depend on it.

What happens when a child is given space to express what words cannot? Sometimes, it looks like colours on a page.Someti...
22/09/2026

What happens when a child is given space to express what words cannot?

Sometimes, it looks like colours on a page.
Sometimes, it sounds like music.
Sometimes, it is simply laughter, connection and a moment to just be.

On Friday, we spent time with the children at the Kisumu Children’s Remand Home through an art and music therapy session as part of our Su***de Awareness Month activities.

Through colouring, music and shared activities, the children found an opportunity to express themselves, connect with others, explore their creativity and experience moments of joy and relaxation.

The impact was more than the activities themselves. We created a space where children could participate freely, engage positively and experience the reassurance that their voices, feelings and well-being matter.

Because mental well-being is also about creating spaces where children can feel safe enough to express, connected enough to belong, and supported enough to know they are not alone.

***deAwarenessMonth
FIFA Foundation

Our environment needs action, not just awareness.Homeless of Kisumu (HOK) joined Kisumu Youth Wash Parliament and other ...
22/09/2026

Our environment needs action, not just awareness.

Homeless of Kisumu (HOK) joined Kisumu Youth Wash Parliament and other stakeholders in Obunga for an environmental conservation and awareness exercise promoting sustainable practices and responsible waste management.

The activity included community sensitization, tree planting, and a cleanup at River Kisat, where participants worked together to reduce pollution, protect water sources, and promote cleaner surroundings. The team also engaged the community on the effects of improper waste disposal, particularly diapers (pampers) ending up in drainage systems and waterways.

At HOK, we believe protecting our environment is a shared responsibility. Through community engagement and collective action, we continue to promote cleaner, healthier and more resilient communities.

What does it mean to have rights, and what responsibilities come with them?We continued our “My Rights, My Responsibilit...
14/09/2026

What does it mean to have rights, and what responsibilities come with them?

We continued our “My Rights, My Responsibilities” session at the Kisumu Children Remand Home, building on our previous conversation by creating an open space for the young people to share what rights mean to them and the responsibilities that come with them. Together, we explored these responsibilities in different spaces; at home, within the institution, in our communities and as children and citizens of Kenya.

Through open discussions and interactive activities, the young people shared their perspectives, listened to one another and reflected on how their everyday choices affect themselves and those around them. More importantly, the session encouraged them to think critically about their rights, recognize the responsibilities that come with them and appreciate the role they can play in creating positive spaces for themselves and others.

And, of course, learning came with a little fun! Our icebreakers brought up the energy, encouraged participation and kept the conversation lively.

Sometimes, meaningful learning happens when we sit together, ask questions, listen to different perspectives and create space for young people to see themselves not only as rights-holders, but also as responsible members of their communities.


FIFA Foundation

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P. O Box 1608
Kisumu
40100

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