Governors laud Shofco as NGO marks 20th anniversary

Shining Hope for Communities (SHOFCO) on Thursday, June 6, 2024 marked its 20 years since inception in a colourful event attended by several dignitaries.

Council of Governor Chair and Kirinyanga County boss Anne Waiguru, Governors Johnson Sakaja (Nairobi), Wilber Ottichilo (Vihiga) and Simba Arati (Kisii) were present.

The county bosses lauded Shofco for the 20 years of massive social impact that they say has helped change thousands of lives.

The four counties are among tens of others Shofco has partnered with to roll out development projects.

“Shofco in the 20 years of its life has lived up to the highest standards in serving the most needy in the society not only here in Nairobi but also the rest of the country,” Sakaja said.

The Nairobi Governor who revealed that he met the Shofco CEO Kennedy Odede via former Kibera MP the Late Ken Okoth said he was mesmerized by the amazing work he has done for the community.

“I have looked up to you with so much admiration for the work you do with your heart,” Sakaja said.

Founded by Kennedy Odede and Jessica Posner in 2004, Shofco has been at the forefront of addressing challenges facing slum residents.

The NGO is currently operating in 40 counties in Kenya, impacting over four million lives.

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

Its 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.

“I congratulate Odede and his spouse Jessica because the work they do is only God can reward you. The impact you have had on many lives in Kenya including Kirinyaga is amazing,” CoG chair Waiguru said on her part.

Also present during the anniversary were Deputy Speaker Gladys Boss and Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris.

In 2018 became the youngest-ever organization to receive the Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize, the world’s largest humanitarian prize awarded to non–profits that have made extraordinary contributions to alleviate human suffering.

In his address, Shofco CEO Odede rekindled the journey that it has been for the organization to reach where it is now.

He lauded the support of donors who had walked with Shofco hand to hand in bringing transformation in various counties.

“I’m delighted to see what SHOFCO has achieved in the past 20 years. 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,” Odede said.

“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.”

Under its education programme, Shofco is currently running two schools, Kibera School for Girls and Mathare School for Girls, with a student population of 580.

The students are fully sponsored from grades one through eight while enjoying vital services, such as healthcare and water, together with their families.

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.

Shofco pioneered aerial water piping systems in Kibera to crack down on vandalism and theft of pipes and end contamination of water.

The pipes terminate at 57 water kiosks located in strategic parts of Kibera and Mathare slums, serving over 200,000 residents daily.

The organisation also supplies water to 47 schools and five health centres in Kibera and Lang’ata sub counties for free.

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

“Our clinics were started from the idea that no one should die because of lack of healthcare. Our health centres treat people both within and outside of the slums,” Odede stated.

The organization has been carrying out healthcare outreaches in Nairobi, Mombasa, Siaya, and Kakamega counties and it has so far reached 467,087 as of 2023.

Shofco has reached 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.

As of 2023, some 15,000 gender-based violence survivors had been supported by Shofco.

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

Shofco Sacco gave out loans worth Sh272 million in 2023 up from 148 million it disbursed in 2022, registering an increase of 83 per cent.

The Sacco, which was founded in 2015 and currently has 18000 members, allows residents of informal settlements to access credit without collaterals as long as they have savings of as little as Sh1000.