our mission
kageno’s Mission Is to transform Impoverished communities into places of hope and opportunity.
OUR MODEL
a 360° approach
Since we started our first project on Rusinga Island in 2003, we realized addressing a single problem wouldn’t allow us to have the greatest impact. Kageno is a big picture non-profit with boots on the ground. We provide the infrastructure, resources, and knowledge needed to develop education initiatives, stronger infrastructures for community health, diversified economies, and a healthier environment.
We assess the needs of each village in cooperation with the local government to have the greatest long-term impact. Recognizing that women and children suffer disproportionately from poverty, Kageno places particular emphasis on working with women to create permanent social change. Women are at the heart of our community-based efforts.
We empower the villagers to be an integral part of running and participating in each program we establish. Our goal is to create a foundation for healthy, sustainable, stable, and self-sufficient communities.
ROOTED IN PARTNERSHIP
Our model is rooted in partnership; we provide the infrastructure, resources, and experts needed for each village to develop healthcare, education, conservation, and income-generating businesses. These program areas support families through their entire lifecycle. Villagers are an integral part of our model; their participation and employment in our programs have a direct impact on the revitalization of their communities.
HOW WE CHOOSE OUR PROJECT SITES
Kageno is currently operating three community development sites, two in Kenya and one in Rwanda. We choose our project locations based on community needs, ability to work with the government, population size, accessibility, and income-generating potential, through crafts, volun-tourism and eco-tourism. We’ve found our model has the greatest impact in communities with a population of 5,000-6,000.
Learn more about why we invest in Healthcare, Education, Income Generation, and Conservation below.
THE KAGENO MODEL
OUR FOUR PROGRAM AREAS
ACCESS TO BASIC HEALTH CARE IS A FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN RIGHT.
HEALTHCARE
PRIMARY CARE, DISEASE PREVENTION AND MATERNAL CARE
Including primary health care, access to medicine, nutritious foods, clean drinking water, sanitation, and education. Including access to reproductive health and sex education, free from stigmatization.
We focus on interventions ranging from clinical services to the prevention, detection, and treatment of infectious diseases, malnutrition, and offer educational classes to help foster a healthier society.
THERE IS NO MORE EFFECTIVE WAY TO TRANSFORM LIVES THAN THROUGH EDUCATION.
EDUCATION
COURSE AND RESOURCES FOR ALL AGES
Kageno believes access to education improves the quality of life for all. We provide the teachers and resources required to educate adults and children within the communities we support.
Our education initiatives cover nutrition, health education, sexual education, family planning, conservation, farming, income generation, and schooling for children.
We operate three nursery schools in Kenya and one in Rwanda providing schooling to 700 students. We also feed students in our schools and neighboring schools in partnership with Table for Two. This partnership allows us to feed 5,000 students daily.
THE POWER TO CREATE CHANGE THROUGH ECONOMIC GROWTH
INCOME GENERATION
INCOME SECURITY, JOBS, AND MICROLOANS
As we establish programs to address healthcare, education, and conservation, we employ members of the community to staff these programs.
We’ve seen positive shifts in the communities we support when villagers are empowered to become educators, health care clinicians, farmers, and business owners. These programs provide a stable income for villagers to support their families.
The financial security from these jobs allows people to care for their families, buy homes, livestock, and the tools needed to start their own business. We support small business ventures in farming, gardens, craft-making, selling goods to market, and repairing bicycles through micro-finance.
A THRIVING NATURAL ENVIRONMENT IS A VALUABLE ASSET.
CONSERVATION
CLEAN WATER, GARDENS, AND AGRICULTURE
Kageno approaches conservation as a way to preserve natural resources, develop new ways to farm, provide access to clean water and clean sanitation. We develop long standing community projects focused on improving the lives and health of the community.
These projects provide food through farming, water infrastructure, income through selling excess fruits, vegetables and animals and preserving natural resources by educating the villagers on best practices to maintain gardens and forests.
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR IMPACT