KCDF Participates in the 9th EAPN Conference: Advancing the Agenda for Local Philanthropy and Financial Resilience
June 26, 2025
Strengthening Community Foundations to become Grantmakers
June 27, 2025
On June 10 and 11, 2025, with support from Wilde Ganzen, KCDF held a Change the Game Academy (CtGA) refresher training, bringing together 12 organisations from across Kenya. The goal was to strengthen their capacity for local fundraising to drive sustainable development.
These organisations, had previously undergone fundraising training with KCDF under CtGA between October 2023 and February 2024with support from Misereor. Since then, many have reported tangible results and transformation in their approaches to resource mobilisation.
One such organisation is the Kariobangi Women Promotion Training Institute (KWPTI) under the Archdiocese of Nairobi, run by the Komboni Missionary Sisters. The institution offers technical courses in hairdressing, beauty, catering, and fashion and design, primarily serving young women in Nairobi’s informal settlements.
Amid the socio-economic challenges of Nairobi’s informal settlements, the Kariobangi Women Promotion Training Institute (KWPTI) stands as a pillar, offering opportunities, skills, and a renewed sense of purpose to young women striving for a better future.
Run by the Komboni Missionary Sisters under the Archdiocese of Nairobi, the institute has become a lifeline for countless young women seeking to break the cycle of poverty through skills training and empowerment.
Offering hands-on courses in hairdressing, beauty, catering, and fashion and design, KWPTI equips women with employable skills and the confidence and dignity to chart a new course for their lives and communities.
In a landscape where opportunities for youth, especially young women, can be scarce, KWPTI is more than a training centre; it is a launchpad for economic independence, personal growth, and community change.
“Initially, we believed funding could only come from foreign aid or international partners,” said Everlyn Ochieng, a representative from KWPTI. “But through the CtGA training, we discovered that our communities hold immense potential to support our cause.”
With these insights, KWPTI launched its first local fundraising campaign in March 2024, targeting support for teen mothers in their area. Based in a community surrounded by slums like Korogocho, Kariobangi, Dandora, and Huruma, KWPTI witnesses firsthand the vulnerability of teen mothers, many of whom are abandoned, struggling with poverty, and lacking opportunities.
“Some of these young women face desperate situations, abandoning children, begging, or worse. We knew we had to act,” Everlyn shared.
The institute mobilised churches, locals, banks, and corporates through a community luncheon, raising KES 400,000. Inspired by this success, they applied for and received the KCDF Pamoja for Change grant, which matched their KES 500,000 community-raised funds with another KES 500,000.
Their unique strategy included church-based events, where students performed, shared their stories, and showcased their talents. They also ensured transparency and accountability, updating donors on funds raised and progress made.
With the funds, KWPTI was able to:
- Sponsor 8 teen mothers in various technical courses
- Purchase computers to boost digital literacy
- Upgrade sewing equipment with digital machines for fashion classes
“These funds not only helped teen moms gain skills for self-reliance but also enabled us to enhance the quality of training we provide,” said Everlyn.
Through the Change the Game Academy, KWPTI has embraced a sustainable fundraising model, tapping into local goodwill, building trust, and driving long-term impact.
The journey of Kariobangi Women Promotion Training Institute is a powerful testament to what is possible when communities are empowered with the right skills and mindset. Through the Change the Game Academy, KWPTI shifted from relying solely on external aid to mobilising local resources, building stronger community ties, and creating a sustainable impact.
As more organisations adopt this approach, the vision of locally led, community-driven development and local philanthropy becomes not just a possibility, but a growing reality across Kenya.
#localfundraising #capacitystrengthening #skillsbuilding #communityleddevelopment
