The Goat Bank initiative allows individuals to purchase goats, which are then given to families in need. As these goats reproduce, families return one kid to the center, perpetuating the cycle of support and sustainability within the community.
We work in partnership with Imarika Youth Kenya to provide mentorship for young people sponsored through Love Your Neighbour. Although being in school is a step in the right direction for the young people we work with, for them finding a place to do their homework can be a challenge and they can be easily drawn into negative peer pressure. Our partners at Imarika Youth come alongside these young people to support them in their schooling and to help steer them in the right direction and to make good choices today for a better tomorrow.
In a community where women are often denied opportunities to train or work, Sozo offers a glimmer of hope. Every year, 8 women are given an opportunity to come to Kivuli Kijijini and to learn tailoring and, when possible, other skills such as soap making or business skills which they can use to start a small business or find work. Teaching these women how to make money and handle it not only impacts them, but their whole family and so our aim is to empower each of these women to bring a change in her family and, in turn, her community.
In partnership with Clynview Care Farm, we ship containers of mobility aids to distribute to those who need them. The sad reality for many with disabilities in this area is that their families are ashamed of them & they are not allowed to leave their homes. We're working to break down this social taboo by providing mobility aids & making it possible for those with disabilities to go to school & to move around in their community. In our short time in the community, we have already seen a change such as children with disabilities are now being able attend school.
We believe that making a spiritual difference in people’s lives is as important as making a physical one. The prayer hut is open 24/7 for anyone to come and connect with God. Whichcraft is prevalent in this area and people often believe that they have to pay money or cast a spell in order to see change in their lives but now people have an opportunity to freely come to God with their needs and to see him at work. We’ve seen prayers answered from this place such as timely provision, medical needs attended to and relationships healed.
In the area surrounding Kivuli Kijijini, having a child with a disability is a social taboo. Love Your Neighbour is working to break down this mentality and to support families with children with disabilities. We have a sensory room at our centre specifically for this purpose. It is a place where children with disabilities can come with their parents to spend some time and where parents can receive some much needed love and support. For us, this is another way we can highlight that every life is important and that God’s love is not limited.
Kibera Slum is one of the biggest slums in Sub-Saharan Africa and is where Love Your Neighbour began. Because of poverty and the lack of government schools in the area, many families can’t afford to send their children to school which is where we step in. For as little as £10/month we are able to relieve families of this burden and to give children from some of the most deprived families in Kibera the opportunity to have an education. If you would like to be a part of this amazing project, please get in touch.
Our work at Kivuli Kijijini began with women and children but our heart is to make an impact across the whole community which is why we are launching a project for men. At the workshop men will learn basic carpentry and bricklaying skills whilst also learning about how they can handle their finances, work together with their wives and engage more with their children. We want to teach men skills that they can use to provide for their families as well the impact that they can have on their families and communities.
At Kivuli Kijijini we give children and young people a chance to hear about God and to grow in their faith. We teach them to dance, play games, give them food and give them an opportunity to open up about the struggles they face. Children are often relied upon in Kenya to help with tasks such as looking after younger children, collecting water or cleaning. These are an important part of their culture but when they come to Joshua Generation they are given a much needed opportunity to just be kids and to learn about a God who loves them.
