PROJECTS
We are pleased to present both our ongoing and newly established project collaborations below.
ONGOING PROJECTS
WHY NOT SCHOOL ACADEMY
2024 – PRESENT Accademic education
Key areas: Education - Nutrition - Green infrastructure - Training and digital access - Environmental safety - Community support
Why Not Academy Project
The School
Why Not Academy, founded by the local NGO Karibu Africa Kenya in 2010, serves nearly 200 children in the Mathare community. Beyond formal education, it offers a safe space for learning, sports, music, and play – a place where children can grow, express themselves, and stay away from the cycles of poverty and crime that affect many in the area.
The Situation
Despite its importance, the school faces critical challenges. Limited funding threatens the feeding program, leaving many students without reliable meals. Most teachers are volunteers with minimal pay and few formal qualifications. Flooding from the nearby Mathare River damaged classrooms and destroyed books and materials in 2024. These conditions have delayed government recognition and put the school’s future at risk.
The Approach
The project focuses on strengthening the school’s independence and resilience. Efforts include support with establishing a sustainable programme for the school meals, teacher trainings, providing educational materials; developing urban farming to support school meals and self-sustainance, improving infrastructure for safety and governmental support; and installing solar energy and digital tools to enhance learning opportunities.
The Impact
Since the start of these initiatives, school attendance has doubled, the feeding program has run consistently, and students have access to better learning environments. Local teachers and families are increasingly involved in managing activities, reinforcing the school’s role as a community-led space of opportunity and hope for the children of Mathare.
SOLAR ENERGY PROJECT
April 2025 - Present
Key areas
The Situation
In Mathare, unreliable and unsafe electricity connections leave homes, schools, and public spaces in darkness after sunset. This limits study hours, community activities, and safety – especially for women and children.
The Approach
The project focuses on providing stable, renewable energy through solar installations across schools and shared spaces, like the Community Park, a shared space to play and hang out. Working with For Kenya, Cosmotaics, and local residents, solar panels and streetlights were installed in the community park and near Why Not Academy. Community members led the installation themselves, ensuring local ownership and technical know-how.
The Impact
The new lighting has transformed night life in Mathare: children can study after dark, community gatherings continue safely, and the park now serves as a secure, welcoming space. The success of this first phase is paving the way for expanded solar systems across school buildings – supporting future digital learning and reducing dependence on unsafe electric grids.
Partners
Implemented through collaboration with For Kenya, Cosmotaics, and local youth groups, this initiative demonstrates the power of collective, community-driven action toward a cleaner and safer urban environment.
GREEN SLUM PROJECT
The Situation
Mathare’s dense environment faces severe soil degradation, waste accumulation, and limited access to fresh food. Contaminated soils make traditional farming unsafe, threatening both nutrition and environmental health.
The Approach
In collaboration with local youth groups around Mathare, the project is developing urban farming systems and community tree-planting programmes. Soil samples were analysed to identify suitable cultivation methods, fruit trees will be distributed across schools and neighbourhoods to improve nutrition, stabilize soil, and encourage local participation in greening efforts. Trainings are being performed to scale up this project across the Mathare and provide useful skills to the communities.
The Impact
The initiative promotes cleaner, greener public spaces and strengthens local food security. By engaging youth and families in planting and care activities, it also builds environmental awareness and resilience – transforming Mathare’s landscapes into living, productive ecosystems.
Partners
Led jointly with local community groups, the project links science, education, and grassroots action to reimagine urban sustainability in one of Nairobi’s most vibrant informal settlements.
OTHER PROJECTS/ INITIATIVES
2024/2025
In December 2024, we organized a Christmas vintage market in Naples to raise funds for school supplies and the feeding program at Why Not Academy.
That same year, we began using Vinted to sell fashion items donated by our community in Naples, creating a small but steady source of income.
Working with recycled fashion is also one of our aspirations for the future. We constantly stay updated on ways to make an impact in this field and truly value any organization or individual who approaches us with ideas for collaboration.
