By Lenah Bosibori
Nairobi, Kenya: In the busy slums of Kibera, Nairobi, amidst the harsh realities of poverty and despair, a ray of hope emerged during the trying times of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Meet Moses Omondi, a compassionate and resilient young man who embarked on a mission to bring sustenance, support, and opportunities to those in need within Kibera after witnessing the devastating impact of the pandemic on vulnerable families.
“The directive by the Ministry of Health during COVID-19 that included staying at home, avoiding social distance, and avoiding contacts affected many people in Kibera and other informal settlements,” said Omondi during an interview at his office in Kibera.
He adds that many families were affected especially casual labours who could not go to their daily activities. “When I was seated on the balcony of my home, three women approached me and said that they could do anything since life was getting difficult, and that was a wakeup call to me, I asked myself how I could assist them to access basic commodities,” reiterated Omondi.
Omondi realized the urgent need to assist struggling families; he joined hands with financially capable friends to form the Kibera Community Emergency Response Team (KCRT)
Together, they implemented the “Adopt A Family” initiative, which aimed to provide basic commodities and support to those very vulnerable people affected by the pandemic.
Through the initiative, Omondi and his team garnered support and raised funds through a Facebook page Known as M-Changa, with contributions pouring in from both within and outside Kenya.
“We collected food, distributed vouchers from Naivas supermarkets, facilitated direct money transfers, and even helped families start their own businesses. This collective effort benefited approximately 4,900 families, both directly and indirectly,” adds Omondi.
Omondi further says that they managed to improve the health of vulnerable children, women, single parents, and people with disabilities.
Impacts of the Project
Omondi says that his project helped in creating employment opportunities among the youth and women who were the most affected.
“I managed to get facilitators who trained the youth and the women on short courses like driving, crocheting, soap making, baking, and sanitizer making that helped them open their own businesses,” says Omondi
Recognition and Growth
Omondi’s’ approach and success caught the attention of notable organizations like UN-Habitat and local Canadian funds and initiatives. “Their support enabled the KCRT to expand its impact and advance messaging through social media platforms,” adds Omondi.
The team grew in strength and resilience, responding to other emerging issues such as floods and fires. The project also gave rise to additional initiatives, including youth-focused programs that are currently leading as the Chief Executive Officer to amplify the positive change in Kibera.
Challenges and Overcoming Adversity
Along the way, Omondi faced challenges such as managing high community expectations and providing adequate support for volunteers who required financial assistance.
The initiative prioritized verifying the needs of each family, ensuring that assistance was targeted and effective. “I used volunteers and the local chief to identify the neediest who needed our support, the volunteers could go and confirm with the chief back on the ground,” adds Omondi.
He offered assistance From March 2020 to June 2021 when he felt that the project had served its purpose and successfully mitigated the impact of COVID-19 restrictions.
It transitioned to an emergency response focused on community sensitization through the social media platform “Kibera ni Kwetu,” addressing first aid and other emergency areas such as fires and floods.
Amnet Okumu, a beneficiary of the Adopt A Family project, shares her story of finding refuge and gaining skills in disaster management and first aid. She highlights the impact of job creation and the provision of hand washing centers donated by sponsors from UN-Habitat.
“Through the project, I personally received vouchers of Kshs 1500 weekly and skills like soap making, First Aid skills, and sanitizer making, enabling me to overcome the challenges,” says Okumu.S
Omondi’s relentless dedication and resourcefulness have brought hope, empowerment, and sustainable change to the lives of countless individuals in Kibera. The “Adopt A Family project that he says he is willing to continue if he gets more funding to help people who are sleeping hungry during these high economic times.
Kevin Achanda is also a youth in Kibera who benefited from the project. Achanda once dreamt of playing football but changed his mind during COVID-19 when he found an opportunity to volunteer.
“I used to play football for fun, but since Omondi trained me on volunteering, I now do it with passion because I know that I am saving lives and at the same time getting blessings,” says Achanda.
According to Achanda, he never wanted to be idle because he knew to consequences of getting himself into drugs; he therefore made a commitment to come to Kibera every day so that he could himself busy.
This publication was produced with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of Lenah Bosibori and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.
