The work Tandaza Trust undertakes with disadvantaged Street Families in Nairobi, Kenya aims to provide both immediate relief from the  stresses of poverty and to make longer term changes that will result in brighter futures. The provision of material aid such as food, clothing and shelter is important but to eradicate poverty itself requires a different strategy. It requires sustainable aid.

Sustainable aid means providing skills, education and economic opportunity. It means breaking the cyclical nature of poverty.

“Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day, teach a man to fish and he will eat for a lifetime”  – Chinese Proverb

One of the programs launched by the Trust is the Agricultural Initiative.  The Agricultural Initiative provides opportunities for the Trust’s beneficiaries to learn skills in agriculture and food production, opening opportunities for employment in the booming agribusiness economy in the Nairobi area. It is also a crucial step towards self-sufficiency for the Trust.

Throughout 2016 & 2017 funds raised by Australian Friends of Tandaza were directed towards the Agricultural Initiative. The Trust leased 5 acres of land. A portion of the land was cultivated, a green house was erected and irrigation fitted. Accomodation was provided for women wanting to make lasting changes to their situation. They were taught skills in agriculture and crops were successfully harvested. The crops were used to feed women and their children while excess was sold to to provide funding for the work of the Trust.

At the beginning of 2018 it became suddenly and unexpectedly necessary for the Trust to vacate the land on which the Agricultural Initiative was established. This was the cause of great disappointment. The program has been temporarily re-established on a smaller plot that has been made available to the Trust for a period of five years. The new location limits the participation of beneficiaries on the land but allows the continuation of the raising of crops to fund the other programs of the Trust.

The long term goal of the Trust is to purchase land to provide a permanent location for the Agricultural Initiative and a place to re-establish a residential rehabilitation facility for women and children wishing to leave the streets. Australian Friends of Tandaza has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Tandaza Trust to help them reach this goal sooner. Funds raised in Australia will now be put aside to assist with the purchase of land and securing the work of the Trust into the future. when you support Australian Friends of Tandaza by purchasing Fair Trade Products from our market stalls or online shop, making a donation or attending our fundraising activities you are helping the Trust to achieve their goal and to make a difference in the lives of disadvantaged street families in Nairobi.