0
+
Years Active
0
+
Youth Reached
0
+
Core Programs
Program Impact Areas
300+
Annual beneficiaries
Education
The A-LOT Change Project and Masomo Scholarship have connected hundreds of young people in Viwandani to quality secondary education with at least two-thirds of the Girls Education Challenge participants progressing to high school.
5+
Health projects
Health
Youth Friendly Services and targeted health projects including SRHR, HIV prevention, NCD awareness, and teen mothers support have reached thousands of young people in Nairobi's informal settlements.
Skills
Enterprise training
Livelihoods
The KUZA project and livelihood initiatives equip young men and women with skills and enterprise knowledge to build economic independence and reduce vulnerability in their communities.
What's coming
Upcoming & Planned Events
From community conferences to university exposure visits a record of the moments that shape Nairobi's next generation.
Jan
2026
Conference
Community Youth Conference 2026
Community Youth Annual community conference bringing together youth, parents, community leaders and partner organizations to share impact and plan ahead.
July
2026
Celebration
International Youth Day Celebration
Celebrating International Youth Day with performances, panel discussions, and awards for outstanding youth change-makers in Nairobi.
Oct
2026
Charity Run
Masomo Marathon 2026
Join us for the annual Masomo Marathon — a charity run raising funds for the high school scholarship program.
Our history
Past Events
Click any event to read the full story of what happened and what it meant for the young people involved.
Strathmore University Exposure Visit
Exposure Visit
16th June 2018 · Strathmore University Main Campus, Macheo Achievement Program
297 standard eight pupils from Viwandani, Mukuru attended this visit in partnership with the Macheo Achievement Program. The purpose was to build relationships between mentees and mentors, and to demonstrate that educational dreams could become a reality.
Mentees were divided into ten groups, each with two Macheo mentors and one U-Tena mentor. After a campus tour, the groups were given topics to discuss and present in the auditorium covering values, attitude, career goals, etiquette, and study techniques.
Participants had the chance to sit in a university lecture hall, tour the campus, and hear from current Macheo beneficiaries from Viwandani and Kibera.
"If you're busy, life will be easy." Motto shared by Macheo beneficiaries at the event. Participants were noticeably more motivated and consistent in their sessions following this trip.
Kenya Airports Authority Visit
Career Visit
2nd March 2018 · Kenya Airports Authority, Nairobi
At least 250 standard eight participants from the A-LOT Change Project visited the Kenya Airports Authority. Participants were accompanied by U-Tena staff who secured permission for this school-day outing. They were hosted by two KAA staff members who gave insight into the many career paths within the aviation industry.
Participants and U-Tena staff were given access into the airport and the waving bay, where they were able to witness aircraft takeoffs and landings. The customer care department gave a motivational talk, covering careers such as:
- Pilots, aeronautical engineers, and air hostesses
- Security personnel, customs officers, and air traffic control
- Sky Caps, baggage handlers, and aircraft refuellers
- Digital screen operators and voice communications personnel
- Custodial and food service staff
Participants also learned about the role of the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) in managing Kenya’s airspace.
Participants showed notable improvement in discipline compared to earlier trips, asking thoughtful questions and following event guidelines throughout.
Parental Open Day
Community Event
8th December 2017 · St. Elizabeth, Viwandani
The A-LOT Change Intervention gave parents of Viwandani a chance to participate in a Parental Open Day, presenting the project’s progress over two years. Stakeholders included APHRC staff, U-Tena staff, mentors, teachers, parents, and select participants.
The event included poetry recitals, singing, and acting by participants. Jonathan Nzuki, U-Tena’s Director, served as MC and introduced the project, while Peter Mokaya gave a history of how the initiative began.
Mentor Orengo Joan encouraged parents by highlighting that the program works with professional teachers from the community to ensure quality and consistency. Community members expressed gratitude for the opportunity given to their children.
"In 2013, the Girls Education Challenge was launched to provide after-school support to girls in Viwandani. Since at least two thirds of participants went on to high school, the project was expanded to include boys adding leadership, motivational talks, and exposure trips." Peter Mokaya
Kenyatta University Exposure Visit
Exposure Visit
2016 · Kenyatta University Main Campus, Thika Road, Nairobi
300 pupils from Viwandani visited Kenyatta University many for the first time stepping outside their immediate community. Accompanied by their mentors and U-Tena staff, they received a warm welcome from the university’s director, who gave a brief history of the campus.
Participants visited the Post Modern Library resource center and the Campanile towers. The director encouraged them to work hard in school to qualify for good high schools and later universities. Interaction with lecturers and university students provided direct inspiration for their academic journeys.
For some participants, this was their first time travelling on Thika Superhighway and stepping onto a university campus an experience that opened their understanding of what was possible for them.
Be part of the change
Partner with us, volunteer your time, or support a young person's education through the Masomo Scholarship Fund.
