An invitation to join us in our Korogocho Project
We are working to help a community of 25 families living in great need in one of Nairobi’s worst slums, providing financial support to help them build new homes in a safe environment on the outskirts of the city.
The families formed a self-help group, MWAMKO, and contribute their own efforts, abilities and resources to the project. It is now been registered as the MWAMKO Housing Association, clarifying tenant and landlord rights and obligations.
The project has been managed by the well-qualified Board of a local Community-Based Organisation, the Commonwealth Housing Group, set up for that purpose. This has been converted into a Charitable Trust which means the purposes of the project are now protected in perpetuity. The Board includes two members of MWAMKO.
The current main aim of the Commonwealth Housing Trust, a registered charity in the UK, is to raise funds for this project.
What has been achieved so far:
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two acres of land purchased and ownership registered
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planning permission granted for 25 houses
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25 young unemployed MWAMKO family members were given training and work experience in various building skills
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they and other family members are working on the site
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they have appropriate professional support
Excellent progress has been made
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thanks to the generosity of strangers, eight families are now resident at the new site in the first complete row of houses
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they pay very low rents, less than in the slum - just because they have new homes does not immediately lead to higher incomes and their expenses are higher
- their self-help group, MWAMKO, is now reconstituted as a Housing Association, clarifying their rights and obligations
The next phase of house-building has begun
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four further houses are built to gable level, half another row
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developing and extending infrastructure across the site
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incorporating green, sustainable solutions wherever possible
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constructing the other thirteen homes, as funding permits
If you would like to join us in supporting the families as they build their new homes and new lives you can bring their dream closer. Even small donations help to build a house, just as bricks do. If you can, please donate today, or use our donation form to set up a standing order.