SHOFCO launches ambitious program to support CBOs across Kenya

The organization kicked off the program by offering support to 30 CBOs based in Nairobi.

“CBOs are close to my heart. I love what CBOs are doing and SHOFCO is ready to support them to bring change in the communities they are working in. “Today, we are supporting 30 CBOs. We hope that they will use this money wisely to change lives, especially in slum areas across Nairobi,” SHOFCO Founder and CEO Dr. Kennedy Odede said during the launch of the program in Kibera.

The CBOs are involved in various projects including addressing gender based violence, youth empowerment programs, building homes for the elderly, scholarship programs for vulnerable children, and dignified employment programs among others.

The 30 CBOs were used to pilot the program as the organization seeks to reach over 180 organizations across Kenya in five years.

During the launch, the organization used volleyball games to bring together the CBOs to share ideas and foster dialogue and encourage their members to participate actively in the community-led development initiatives.

“These CBOs are drawn from various SHOFCO Clusters in Nairobi. We sponsored volleyball matches from the ward level to sub county level so they could interact with each other during the games and build good working relationships”.

“All the CBOs here know what the others are doing and they can complement one another and share ideas among themselves. We are all working for the community and no need to be selfish with ideas; we encourage teamwork,” Dr. Odede said.

The SHOFCO founder reminded them to avoid corruption and misuse of donor funds because they are meant to uplift the people's lives in the community.

“The money you have received will help your CBOs to grow. I encourage you to use the money prudently to change your communities and be an example to other organisations out there,” he stated.

The SHOFCO founder said his organisation will also help the CBOs in capacity building, including training on governance, leadership, and report writing.

CBO leaders expressed appreciation for the grants and promised not to let SHOFCO down.

“Dr. Odede believes in community-led organisations with stronger social networks. Who would have thought a local NGO would support upcoming CBOs in the area it’s working in?

“He is a selfless person who believes in uplifting others. He doesn’t support the community alone; he also supports upcoming CBOs which is a unique thing. May God bless him and SHOFCO as a whole,” Restoring Dignity Foundation Founder, Fred Ogolla popularly known as MC Toothbrush, said.

Kawangware-based Warembo Unique CBO Chairperson Margaret Wamaitha said SHOFCO’s empowerment program has helped sex workers in Dagoretti North to find alternative income generating activities and fend for themselves and their families in a dignified manner.

“As sex workers from Kawangware, we did not know that we could be given a platform to express ourselves and be funded. People have called us names but SHOFCO has given us a reason to smile.

“Workers no longer sell their bodies to get bread, because you have taught them how to get bread. They are no longer in the streets because they have something to do courtesy of SHOFCO,” Wamaitha said.