Mukuru Slums Development Project (MSDP) is a registered NGO operating within Mukuru slums and the adjoining areas. It intervenes through various initiatives and programmes in assisting poor and vulnerable residents, in improving and empowering their lifestyles. Principle Objective The main objective of MSDP is to provide holistic and integrated care with the view of reducing poverty amongst the inhabitants of Mukuru slums and other informal settlements, by focusing on the basic physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual well being. As an organization MSDP believes in holistic development of the human person. We believe that we have a sacrosanct duty to empower disadvantaged communities with skills and capacity to be in charge of their own development. Enabling people to realize their full potential and access to essential services is fundamental to human dignity and development. This main objective is realized through the following programmes:
1) Youth empowerment & Rehabilitation
The Department Children and Youth unites several projects which are described in the following. Mukuru Sports Association (MUSA) - “nurturing talent and youth empowerment”
Youth between 10 and 30 years are trained in football, acrobatic, dance and drama. MUSA offers sports, education support, medical assistance, apprenticeship and related activities for the youth of Mukuru as tools for empowerment and nurturing talents. Currently the senior men and senior ladies football teams are playing in the Provincial League and the artists perform at shows. All the MUSA members are drawn from Rueben, Lunga Lunga, Fuata, Nyayo, Kisii and Kayaba villages in Mukuru. The over 200 participants attend training every evening after school and over the weekends and are coached by qualified instructors. Halfway House - “rescue, rehabilitation and reintegration of at risk boys in Mukuru and its adjoning areas”
Halfway House is a rehabilitation center for at risk boys of age 8-16 years. Twice a year 30 boys are offered a six month full residence rehabilitation program. Most of the boys choose life on the streets mostly due to poverty and domestic violence. We believe, that the best place for children to live is their home with their own parents. Through psycho social and financial support parents and child are enabled to solve their conflicts and develop realistic plans for the future of the child. Peer Education
20 MUSA members are trained as peer educators on HIV and Aids, drugs and substance abuse, hygiene, health and first aid. Together with the coaches the peer educators organize group discussions with their teams, awareness campaigns and other community engagements. 200 children and youth from MUSA attend MUSA peer education activities.
2) Vocational Skills Training
MUST (Mukuru Skills Training Centre, founded 2003) provides a range of courses in hairdressing and beauty, plumbing and masonry, hotel and catering management, early childhood education & fashion and design. The trainees gain practical, theoretical knowledge and life skills. This aims to create employment opportunities for youth from the urban informal settlements. The center is registered for NITA & KNEC exams and records an employment rate of 95% after graduation.
3) Access to Education
Our education programme aims to improve access and learning outcomes for quality basic education. We are working with the Primary Schools in the urban informal settlements to strengthen the management und enhance quality of teaching. Through Community Conversation groups we ensure the girl child education is supported by the families, communities and schools to realize retention and children to grow up in a child friendly environment.
4) Livelihoods
Under the livelihood programme we provide psychosocial support, business training and business start up capital. We work with our participants towards developing individual sustainable income opportunities for households in the informal settlements. For sustainability we facilitate GSL (group saving and loaning) formations to serve as a social safety net for the entrepreneurs.
