SHOFCO marks 20 years in community transformation services

Founded by Kennedy Odede and Jessica Posner in 2004, SHOFCO has been addressing challenges facing slum residents in 40 counties in Kenya.

The organisation’s work is grounded in a holistic approach to community development, addressing multiple dimensions of poverty and inequality to create lasting change.

“It began with a soccer ball and 20 cents in Kibera, the organization has now spread its wings across Kenya, touching lives of over four million people yearly. We could not have done it without the support of our donors and the communities we serve. It has been an amazing journey and we look forward to more fruitful years ahead,” Odede said as the organization marked the celebrations on Thursday.

SHOFCO’s programs focus on education, healthcare, water and sanitation, economic empowerment, community mobilization, and youth development, with the overarching goal of improving the well-being and opportunities of residents living in urban slums and rural areas across Kenya.

Currently, it runs two schools, Kibera School for Girls and Mathare School for Girls, with a student population of 580.

Apart from primary school education, the organization also sponsors 125 students in secondary school, and 30 others in universities in Kenya and the United States under its Future Education Programme.

The organization also operates three Level 3 health centres in Kibera (2) and Mathare (1), serving over 600 patients daily.

There are also other healthcare outreaches in Nairobi, Mombasa, Siaya, and Kakamega counties and it has so far reached 467,087 as of 2023.

The organization also reaches 76,614 vulnerable women through its Sustainable Livelihoods programme where they are trained on various courses such as tailoring, handicrafts, and other soft skills to support their economic empowerment.

It also runs safe houses in Kibera and Mathare slums and has supported several GBV victims to get justice and empower them socially and economically.

Under its SACCO, SHOFCO also enables dwellers of informal settlements access credit financing.