Rafiki wa maendeleo trust
Building CommunityBecause every child has the right to be respected,
the right to dream, and
the right to be loved and cared for.
It takes a village to raise a child.
— African proverb
Program pillars
Community Wellness
Encouraging psycho-social wellness of children and youth by enhancing participatory community-driven programs.
Dignified Livelihoods
Rights & Civic Engagement
Strengthening community led advocacy for improved service delivery for the rights of children and youth.
What we do
Our Program Pillars
Community Wellness
Enhance participatory community led interventions that reduce household vulnerability and promote collective social-cultural wellness of children and youth.
GOAL: 1,920 children and 1,280 youth have easy access to community led psycho-social support programs
1. Identify psycho-social cases eligible for intervention and refer for support
2. PSS (psycho-social support) clusters are wide-spread: four clusters in North Uyoma, one in West Uyoma, one in East Uyoma, each engaging in bi-monthly support of children and youth
GOAL: Strengthen system-management of community-owned service providers for improved provisionary services for children and youth in Rarieda
How do we accomplish this?
1. Identification and mapping of community-owned service providers in three wards in Rarieda
2. Conduct capacity gap assessment of identified community-owned service providers.
3. Strengthen aptitude and competence of community-owned service providers
GOAL: Community-led groups in 35 villages are able to define challenges and find solutions
How do we accomplish this?
1. Establish forums within each community health infrastructure (community health committees, community health volunteers and community health facilities) that focus upon health- related issues within communities
2. Establish partnerships with county government and stakeholders in the education sector to provide scholarships to bright and financially needy children in three wards in Rarieda
3. Establish partnerships for introduction of modern and affordable technology solutions to housing and energy challenges
Dignified Livelihoods
Equip youth and their families with skills to develop and participate in progressive enterprises and initiatives that dignify their means of earning a livelihood.
GOAL: Economically empower 1,500 youth through training in new sectors, industries and technologies
How do we accomplish this?
1. Training youth on new industries, sectors and technologies.
2. Training youth on entrepreneurship and business development
3. Digital skills training and creation of networking platforms with SMEs to widen scope of possible markets.
GOAL: Economically empower 800 households so basic household needs of 1,920 children and 1,280 youth are met
By earning an average of Ksh.6000 per month, basic needs of the household can be realized.
How do we accomplish this?
1. Establish platforms that mobilize community networks of relationships
2. Using established platforms, initiate programs for knowledge and skills transfer that equip households with appropriate skills to improve their economic base and earn an average income of 6000ksh.
3. Digital skills training and creation of networking platforms with SMEs to widen scope of possible markets.
Rights & Civic Engagement
Develop skills to strengthen participatory and inclusive community-led advocacy for improved service delivery for the rights of children and youth.
GOAL: Rights & voices of 2000 children and 1000 youth are recognized, upheld and safeguarded
How do we accomplish this?
1. Establishment of inclusive and participatory community-led advocacy platforms
2. Advocacy Skills Development
3. Community platform forums with duty bearers and government structures including LAACs
4. Engagement at policy development level
GOAL: 2,000 children and 1,000 youth enjoy improved service delivery
When the community advocacy platforms actively hold the county government accountable, children and youth gain access to core services.
How do we accomplish this?
1. Facilitate the establishment of collaborative platforms between LAACs and County Government for advocacy of child protection & prevention of Sexual & Gender Based Violence (SGBV)
2. Engagement of community-led advocacy platforms in the formation of devolution watchdog strategies.
3. Facilitate the establishment of linkages between community-led engagement platforms (who act as watchdog) and local government for social audits to enhance collaboration and accountability of duty bearers.
4. Community (rights holders) education sessions.
5. Authorities (duty bearers) sensitizations, networks and partnerships
GOAL: 1,500 economically-empowered youth are involved in policy & decision-making processes and engage with stakeholders
When the community advocacy platforms actively hold the county government accountable, children and youth gain access to core services.
How do we accomplish this?
1. Conduct civic engagement for and between youth and stakeholders on policy issues.
2. Educate youth on the available opportunities such as Government Procurement Opportunities (GPO)
3. Educate youth on the significance of their inclusion in the decision-making processes such as ADP and CIDP engagement forums.
What Drives Us
Our Vision
To build capacities and skills that create positive change for children and youth within their communities. Our values guide our work:
Innovation | Collaboration | Excellence | Respect | Integrity
Never Alone
Our Partners
Making a Difference
Featured Stories
George Omondi Odhola’s Story
George’s journey with Wezesha began with the Street Business School (SBS) training in 2024—an experience he simply describes as “Elimu bora” (Good education). After graduating from SBS, George chose to take the next step by joining the Wezesha Training Programme, driven by a desire to deepen his knowledge and strengthen his experience in running his businesses.
“It’s a wonderful programme,” he beams.
Lavendar’s Story
Access to entrepreneurship training, mentorship, and networks can empower young business owners to strengthen their enterprises, unlock new opportunities, and build sustainable livelihoods within their communities – SME Loop.
Sarah Aluoch Story (Street Business School)
In Chianda Village, a small but steadily growing hardware shop stands as a symbol of determination, resilience, and the power of opportunity. This business has become the foundation for Sarah Aluoch Oriwo, a mother of five and a local entrepreneur, her family’s livelihood and a pathway toward achieving long-held dreams.