Get to Know Moses
Moses Kamau is a dynamic and inspiring young Kenyan community leader. He lives, along with his wife Maureen and seven-year-old twin daughters, in Nairobi, Kenya. Moses grew up in Korogocho and Dandora, two informal settlements in the city. Determination, intelligence, hard work, and faith helped Moses to beat the odds. He, unlike most young men who grew up in his neighborhood, managed to graduate from secondary school and proceeded to attend and complete college. From there, Moses went on to secure a well-paying job, which enabled him to move out of the slums and start a new life.
Though Moses’s circumstances changed dramatically as he transitioned into a more comfortable economic lifestyle with a full-time job and a family, he still chose to maintain strong relationships with and connections to the community where he grew up. Moses pondered the plight of people in his formative neighborhood. He recognized an opportunity to increase the resilience of the people in urban poor communities, helping them to identify and prioritize their resources in order to address their needs.
About Urban Impact Kenya
Moses decided to form his own non-profit, called Urban Impact Kenya (UIK), to focus on this mission. UIK trains leaders and brings ordinary people together, equipping them with skills and a plan to harness the human resources that exist in urban communities. This innovative training model, called Sustainable Livelihoods, was created by Moses. Moses splits his time and energy between his day job, his young family, and leading the work of UIK. UIK is a work of heart and dedication, providing opportunities for hope and advancement, through practical tools and support, for Moses’s former neighbors and other families in Kenya’s urban neighborhoods. As an energetic and inspiring leader, Moses has galvanized a vibrant team of volunteers to help him carry this work forward.
Fostering Friendship
African Road and Moses began a lasting friendship in 2014 when Executive Director, Kelly Bean, was introduced to him through founding board member (now Board Advisor), Sean Callaghan. Kelly and African Road team members travelled to Kenya, and spent time with Moses and the communities he is committed to in Nairobi. They witnessed firsthand his contagious passion for community empowerment and the tangible impact of his work. This connection sparked an ongoing friendship.
In 2016 and 2017, African Road partnered with Moses and UIK through funding a training process for 40 Sustainable Livelihoods trainers. These trainers were people from the slum neighborhoods themselves. Through the training they began to identify the resources already present in their communities, and were taught skills that helped them better equip their neighbors to innovate. They learned how to foster an environment for people to dream about what can become possible together.
Over the last few years, African Road has followed the growing impact of Moses’s work, and has continued cultivating a friendship with him, with a vision for future project collaboration. It is exciting to announce that 2021 brings a long awaited next step in partnership and strategic collaboration with Moses.
Our Latest Partnership
We are pleased to share about this timely African Road and UIK project which is now underway. As COVID-19 is still a deeply felt reality for many around the world, the vulnerability of the urban poor has been exacerbated by the health and economic effects of the pandemic. Social and physical distancing, as well as regular hand washing, have become essential parts of daily life for those with access to soap, running water, and space. However, these practices are extremely difficult to achieve in the densely populated neighborhoods of informal settlements. Additionally, for people already living with little to no financial margin, the lockdowns, curfews, and business closures due to the pandemic have taken a toll on the many who have lost their livelihoods and are struggling to provide for their families. As Moses witnessed the need in his childhood community, he recognized a timely and relevant way to engage with urban communities to make a difference, pairing Sustainable Livelihoods training with strategic COVID-19 relief.
With funding from generous friends of African Road, a thoughtful collaboration with Moses is possible. This new project will serve 30 households in Nairobi informal settlement neighborhoods for a period of 10 months. The UIK trainers will work closely with families to combat and alleviate hunger and malnutrition by providing food baskets, while supporting capacity building through development training, action planning, and mentorship. This hybrid intervention and holistic approach will enhance food security for vulnerable families, while promoting self-reliance to reduce dependency on external sources.
Thanks to friendship and support that spans the globe, this story of partnership is possible. Together, we can stand with Changemaker Moses as he walks faithfully alongside families and communities in Kenya.