About the project

About Your involvement

The Kibera Slums, an area 5 kilometres south-west of Nairobi's town centre, is the most populated informal settlement in East Africa, housing more than one quarter of Nairobi’s population.

Kibera is roughly 2 square kilometres with an estimated population of 1 million people.

There are no residential buildings over a single floor. Almost all the buildings are built illegally, without permission and without following any building regulations.

The average home size in Kibera is 3 meters by 3 meters, with an average of five people per dwelling.

Basic infrastructure such as electricity, water or sanitation is minimal. There is an average of one pit latrine for every 50 to 500 people. Drinking water is pumped through plastic pipes, alongside sewage trenches, to standpipes. These trenches carry refuse and human waste to the river at the base of the valley. The plastic pipes are brittle and exposed, often breaking, creating suitable habitat for water-borne diseases like cholera and typhoid.

Health Services and Sex Education are minimal. An estimated 50% of people living in the area are either HIV positive or have AIDS.

Initiatives in Kibera

Despite the difficulties faced in Kibera, there are several active community organisations working on issues such as: environment and sanitation; waste management; HIV/AIDS awareness, counselling and testing; domestic violence; education; and unemployment. Many youths are committed and passionate about making an impact in their community.

Community Support Group

Group Community Support Group (CSG) was founded in 2001 by a group of pro-active and community-development-minded individuals (both young men and women) from different locations of Kibera Division, Nairobi. Their vision is to support a sustained socio-economic development by the community for better livelihood.

Your Involvement

You can be involved in a number of activities depending on your interests and wishes:

• Community healthcare and education
• Environmental awareness and sensitization
• Poverty alleviation through an integrated and comprehensive livelihood security program strategy
• Community media and sports

Volunteers and supporters are welcome to present any new ideas or projects for the upliftment of the project.

Volunteer participation costs:

When accommodation is provided, volunteers may be expected to share a room with one or two other volunteers.

Typical house