About the Project
The project consisted of providing school uniforms for vulnerable Muslim children in the Eastleigh slum of Nairobi.
Location
Eastleigh community of Nairobi, Kenya
Quick Project Stats
| Funding Date | April 2025 |
| Luena Investment | $1,000 |
| CBO Partner | Community Implementing Initiative (CII) |
| Village | Eastleigh Slum |
| Country | Kenya |
| # of Children Impacted | 72 |
| Community Contribution | $350 donated by the community and the CII Board |
Children in Vulnerable Communities Face Multiple Barriers to Education
In many Muslim communities, a significant number of children—especially girls—do not attend formal school due to a combination of economic, cultural, and religious factors. Here in Kenya, most of the Muslim community in urban centers are located in Eastleigh Kamukunji Sub-County in Nairobi County. Key challenges that this community faces include:
- Poverty: Families cannot afford basic school necessities (uniforms, books, fees).
- Cultural Preference for Madrasa Education: Many parents prioritize Islamic religious education (madrasa) over formal schooling, believing it is sufficient.
- Early Marriages for Girls: Girls as young as 12 are married off, cutting short their education.
- Lack of Awareness: Some parents do not see the value of formal education, particularly for girls.
For these reasons, a large number of Muslim children in the Eastleigh community are deprived of formal education, leading to low literacy rates and limited future opportunities, perpetuated poverty cycles due to a lack of employable skills, and gender inequality, as girls are disproportionately affected.
Provision of Required Uniforms Allows Children to Attend School
The donation from Luena Foundation was used to buy 72 uniforms for vulnerable school-age children. The beneficiaries have been integrated to different schools within the community, and their caregivers – the majority of whom are grandparents – are now happy that their grandchildren can attend school like any other child.
Meet our Partner Community-Based Organization
Community Implementing Initiative (CII) is a community based organization which is registered with the Ministry of Social Gender Services as a CBO in 2006 and working in Mathare, Korogocho, Eastleigh and Babadogo. Our mandate is to improve the wellbeing of vulnerable communities through child protection, improved access to basic quality education, quality healthcare, and mitigate impact of HIV/AIDS among the marginalized communities and groups.
To learn more about our partner organization, click here.
