By Evans Isohe
Koinonia Community, in partnership with several international organizations, has officially launched a new economic empowerment initiative dubbed the “NOW ME” project. The program is aimed at supporting and uplifting women living in informal settlements across Nairobi and Kajiado counties.
Image Courtesy: The official launch of the ‘NOW ME’ project at Shalom House, Nairobi.
The project is expected to benefit more than 300 women, particularly those facing severe social and economic hardships in underserved communities. The initiative primarily targets single mothers and women struggling to provide for their families, seeking to equip them with practical skills, business training, and opportunities for long-term self-reliance.
Speaking during the launch event at Shalom House in Nairobi, Koinonia Community founder Padre Kizito Sesana noted that for many years, women in informal settlements have borne the brunt of poverty, unemployment, and limited access to opportunities.
“For a long time, women have faced numerous challenges that have left them vulnerable,” Padre Kizito said. “Many of them are mothers who carry the heavy responsibility of raising children under extremely difficult circumstances. This project seeks to bridge that gap and restore their dignity and hope.”
Image Courtesy: Koinonia Community founder Padre Kizito Sesana speaking during the launch of the ‘NOW ME’ project.
According to the organizers, empowering mothers has a direct and positive impact on children, particularly those at risk of ending up on the streets. Project coordinators noted that many street children originate from households headed by struggling single mothers, making women’s economic empowerment a crucial first step toward lasting social transformation.
George Mbugua, a project coordinator at Koinonia, emphasized the importance of stakeholder collaboration to ensure the program’s sustainability. He explained that by strengthening women economically, the project will directly help stabilize families and reduce vulnerability among children.
The “NOW ME” project is supported by a consortium of Italian organizations, including Liberi di Educare, AIDOS (Italian Association for Women in Development), and Amani NGO. These partners will provide both financial and technical support, facilitating comprehensive training programs on entrepreneurship and small business management.
Clara Caldera, a representative of the Italian Association for Women in Development, stated that the initiative will focus on giving women actionable business acumen.
“Our goal is to give these women the tools they need to become economically independent and confident,” Caldera said. “When a woman is empowered, the entire community benefits.”
Chiara, a project coordinator affiliated with Amani NGO, noted that her organization has been working in Kenya for over 31 years. She described the launch of the “NOW ME” project as an exciting new chapter in community-driven development.
While acknowledging that the government has generally been supportive of community-based initiatives, Padre Kizito admitted that grassroots challenges still remain. However, he expressed optimism that with continued collaboration and goodwill from all stakeholders, these obstacles will be overcome.
The partner organizations are now urging women in the targeted communities to take full advantage of the opportunity, expressing confidence that the “NOW ME” project will spark lasting change and build resilient families across Nairobi and Kajiado.