Mathare is one of Nairobi’s most densely populated areas. As an informal settlement, many homes are built with temporary materials and sit very close together. Access to clean water and private toilets is limited, which makes hygiene a daily challenge.
Many families live day to day, struggling to cover basic needs like school fees, healthcare and food. For young people, unemployment and limited opportunities can increase pressure and exposure to crime and substance abuse — not because the community “is” criminal, but because poverty and exclusion often leave fewer alternatives.
Mathare
Yet Mathare is not only defined by hardship. It is also a community full of strength, creativity, and people who refuse to give up. You’ll find entrepreneurs, teachers, artists, and youth leaders working to create a brighter future. That is why we include visits to our project sites: to show what is being built on the ground, and how community-led work can turn challenges into opportunities.