Child Empowerment
BACKGROUND: ETCO’s Children Feeding Program is a flagship initiative that embodies the core mission of Empower The Community (ETCO): to improve the lives of vulnerable populations in informal settlement communities like Kibera Slums, Kenya. This program addresses the urgent issues of food insecurity, holistic child development, and the challenges brought about by social and economic disruptions, particularly after the Covid-19 pandemic. Every Saturday, ETCO feeds approximately 350 children, 100 elderly individuals, and 50 youth, depending on resource availability. Beyond providing meals, the program offers a safe and enriching environment where children engage in activities such as African cultural music and dance classes, drawing, painting, computer lessons, sports, and life skills training. These activities help nurture their talents, combat negative influences like substance abuse and internet misuse, and foster their overall development. The initiative is primarily funded by ETCO's self-generated income from team members, donations, sponsorships and partnerships with local and international stakeholders who contribute financial and technical support.
Donations of Food and Esssential Goods
Donating to organizations like ETCO - Empower The Community has several compelling reasons. Firstly, it helps address the needs of vulnerable community members by providing them with food and essential goods. This improves their quality of life and ensures they have access to basic necessities. Additionally, donating fosters empathy and compassion within the community. It demonstrates an understanding of the struggles faced by those in need and promotes solidarity and collective support. By participating in donations, individuals connect with those less fortunate and contribute to building stronger and more empathetic communities.
Education Empowerment
During our regular involvement in diverse activities at ETCO, we identify talented and underprivileged children. Subsequently, we actively seek out means to provide ongoing support for their education. We actively pursue partnerships, sponsorships, and donations to ensure these children have uninterrupted access to schooling, including covering fees and acquiring necessary learning materials. Our goal is to enable these students to receive an education without any hindrances, fostering their development and creating opportunities for their future.
Computer Center
The rapid changes occurring in society, culture, and economy are largely driven by technological advancements. The internet enables global connections and plays a crucial role in our current environment. ETCO Computer Centre provides computer education to individuals within the community. We offer computer courses for both adults and children, in addition to providing internet access services.
Eco Community
ETCO recognizes and respects the natural world and places great importance on maintaining a healthy environment. We mobilize members of the community to actively participate in initiatives focused on environmental conservation, such as community clean-up campaigns and tree planting activities. In addition, we raise awareness among community members about the significance of living in a clean and favorable environment. We have developed a project called Stage 1 of the Nairobi Dam Conservation Project, which entails the construction of barriers along the dam's tributaries to prevent solid waste from entering the dam. The primary objective of this project is to revive the dam and enable the reuse of its water for domestic purposes, as well as for recreational activities like water sports, sailing, swimming, and fishing, among others.
Sports Empowerment
ETCO is dedicated to promoting active and healthy lifestyles within the community by organizing various sporting activities. These activities are designed to engage community members of all ages, including both children and adults, allowing them to showcase their sporting skills and talents. By providing a platform for individuals to participate in sports, ETCO aims to contribute to the reduction of crime rates and discourage substance abuse, among other social vices. Through these initiatives, ETCO is actively fostering a positive and supportive environment that encourages physical activity, personal development, and social cohesion among community members.
Art & Culture
At ETCO, we take great pride in teaching children the art of African cultural music and dance. It brings us immense joy to witness their enjoyment and to play a part in promoting the preservation and continuation of our rich heritage. Not only do the children learn to express themselves through rhythm and movement, but they also have the opportunity to channel their thoughts and creativity through drawing and painting. We are grateful for the generous donations we have received, including traditional musical instruments and painting materials, which have played a crucial role in engaging and inspiring the children in their artistic pursuits.
Business Empowerment
ETCO strives to collaborate with institutions and business mentors to provide training and education on employability skills to community members. This initiative aims to equip individuals with the necessary skills to secure placement in diverse sectors. Additionally, we actively seek connections and facilitate access to employment opportunities. Moreover, we proactively generate job openings to contribute towards the alleviation of poverty.
Nairobi Dam/Reservoir Conversation Project - Stage 1
Empower the Community (ETCO), has united with various other organizations, including EcoWB, Power Engineers, NRC, local community groups, and dedicated community members. Together, they are steadfastly committed to reclaiming the once-beautiful Nairobi Reservoir and its surrounding waterways. The goal is to address waste and environmental damage, transforming this vital resource into a space for recreation and other beneficial uses by the local residents.