Thriving Beyond Physical Challenges Through Family Unity

27 March, 2026 ENAF Communications

Thriving Beyond Physical Challenges Through Family Unity

“If the tea was pouring over or the baby was crying, a man in our community would never have stepped in if the woman was not there. Today, that has changed. I can stay at my shop until late because I know my home is taken care of by my husband and my children. We are finally united as a family. My husband broke long standing cultural norms to build my shop as an extension of our home so I can work safely. Even my children and their spouses have learned to share the household chores, ensuring that our progress is something the whole family owns together.”

Veronica’s journey with the Echami Business Group highlights how Echo Network Africa Foundation (ENAF) creates intergenerational resilience through its GESI centred approach within the Kuza Jamii project. By applying the Happy Family Tree framework, ENAF helps families identify household governance as the key to ensuring that domestic resources reach their intended goals. Working in partnership with Village Enterprise, GENCAD International, Smart Regional Consultants (SRC), and CHASP Advisory, this approach proves that when the burden of care is shared, entrepreneurs can thrive regardless of physical challenges.

Across the Kuza Jamii initiative, ENAF has reached a total of 31,985 participants with GESI messaging. This partnership, supported by UK International Development and the Government of Kenya, ensures that the next generation values inclusion as a cornerstone of community strength.

Kuza Jamii

From Domestic Isolation to Entrepreneurial Success: Loljuk’s Journey

25 March, 2026 ENAF Communications

From Domestic Isolation to Entrepreneurial Success: Loljuk’s Journey

“There was a time when my culture drew a line I could not cross; my duties were confined to the house, and the idea of running a shop was a world away. Today, that line has faded. My husband now shares the weight of our home, feeding our child so that I can lead our business. This is the Happy Family we were taught to build. Before we started these lessons, I felt I was working in isolation, carrying the entire weight of our survival on my back. Now, I stand with the Atalakaros Business Group knowing that my success at the shop is supported by a partner at home. We no longer see the shop as just my work, but as our family’s future, and that unity has given us a stability we never thought possible.”

Loljuk’s success is a profound indicator of how GESI is being integrated into the fabric of daily life through the leadership of Echo Network Africa Foundation (ENAF) within the Kuza Jamii project. By moving beyond traditional economic aid, ENAF addresses the core of household decision-making to dismantle cultural barriers that often limit women’s economic empowerment. In collaboration with Village Enterprise, GENCAD International, Smart Regional Consultants (SRC), and CHASP Advisory, ENAF uses participatory learning to ensure that men and women work as equal partners in their enterprises. This collective approach allows families to build resilient livelihoods that move beyond a total reliance on unpredictable factors like livestock trades.

Kuza Jamii

How Collaborative Planning is Securing the Future for Akuwam’s Family

24 March, 2026 ENAF Communications

How Collaborative Planning is Securing the Future for Akuwam’s Family

“Together, as a family, we sit down with my wife and our children to discuss everything that happens in our home. I used to manage our affairs alone, but I have learned that a home without a woman’s voice is like a tree without roots. Now, we plan our finances and our children’s education together. In my family, we have seen the fruit of unity. Our home is more stable, our children are staying in school, and we are no longer at the mercy of the weather alone. We have found a new way to live that values every member of our household.”

Akuwam’s experience with the Ngamanat VSLA in Isiolo captures the essence of the community forums held throughout the Kuza Jamii ASAL counties.

Echo Network Africa (ENAF) leads the Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) agenda within the Kuza Jamii project by deploying the Happy Family Tree as a diagnostic tool to help participants reflect on and address deep seated gender biases. Working in partnership with Village Enterprise, GENCAD International, Smart Regional Consultants (SRC), and CHASP Advisory, ENAF ensures that men like Akuwam gain the practical skills needed to transform household governance into a collaborative partnership. This joint effort empowers every family member to contribute to a shared vision, moving the entire community toward a more equitable and sustainable future.

Mothers & Babies Behind Bars

Mothers & Babies Behind Bars: Safeguarding the Rights of Children in the Justice System

19 February, 2026 ENAF Communications

Mothers & Babies Behind Bars: Safeguarding the Rights of Children in the Justice System

Echo Network Africa Foundation (ENAF) has launched a strategic intervention to address the developmental crisis facing children who, due to their mothers’ legal status, are growing up within Kenya’s correctional facilities. In alignment with global human rights standards, the initiative ensures that infants under the age of four do not serve an unearned sentence alongside their parents.

While Kenyan law allows infants to remain with their incarcerated mothers, prison environments were built for punishment rather than development. These children often live in concrete cells with limited access to sunlight and specialised nutrition. ENAF’s programme bridges this gap through a “Triple-Impact” model targeting the child, the mother, and the prison staff.

A Catalyst for Systemic Change

Dr Jennifer Riria, President and CEO of ENAF, emphasised the organisation’s role as a catalyst for development. She noted that approximately 300 to 400 children are currently living in prisons across the country. Many spend their most formative years without basic childhood experiences, such as tasting fresh fruit. “A child should not serve their mother’s sentence,” she stated, urging stakeholders to provide these families with a second chance.

Dr Margaret Mutuma, Director at State Department for Correctional Services at the Mothers & Babies Behind Bars Programme Launch

The technical complexity of this mission is underscored by a strategic partnership with the State Department for Correctional Services (SDCS). Dr Margaret Mutuma, Director at SDCS, reported that while 12 “model” daycares have been established, 32 of Kenya’s 44 women’s prisons still lack even basic makeshift facilities for children. The initiative prioritises regions with high incarceration rates for survival-related offences, such as petty theft or illegal brewing, where young mothers and their children are most isolated from support.

ENAF’s Strategic Interventions

The ENAF programme moves beyond general support to provide targeted, resource-backed interventions designed to restore dignity and foster development:

Dignity: Providing “Dignity Packs” containing essential hygiene items such as soap, sanitary towels, and innerwear to restore a mother’s self-worth and health.
Development: Creating “Children’s Packs” with nutrient-dense weaning foods, diapers, and warm clothing to protect infant health.
The Legacy Project: Building prison creches – dedicated, safe, and colourful spaces for early childhood development that allow children to learn and play away from the main cells.
Sensitisation: Transforming the prison environment through gender-responsive training for staff to encourage empathy and child-friendly practices.

The Power of Shared Responsibility

This mission requires a unified response from the state, civil society, and the private sector. By working together, stakeholders can ensure that the “unseen sentences” of these children are lifted, providing them with the sunlight and safety they deserve. The goal is to reach “forgotten” prisons like Wundanyi and Siaya, ensuring no child is left behind due to geographical isolation.

Call to Action: Support the Journey

We invite you to be part of this transformative movement. Your support, whether through financial contributions, corporate partnerships, or in-kind donations of outgrown children’s clothes and toys, is a direct investment in a child’s health and a mother’s dignity.

Fund a Dignity Pack (KES 1,000): Provide essential hygiene and health items for one mother.
Sponsor a Children’s Pack (KES 50,000 per prison): Deliver nutrient-dense food, diapers, and warm clothing to infants.
Corporate Partnerships: We are seeking CSR partners to fund the construction and equipping of the Legacy Project creches.

Contact Us to Support:

For more information on how you can contribute or partner with us, please reach out to the Echo Network Africa Foundation team at info@enafrica.org or visit our offices at Muchai Drive, off Ngong Road.

Donations can be made via:

Lipa na Mpesa Paybill: 972800 Account Name: Mother & Baby

Let us walk these children out of the shadows, together.

Girls Excel

Beyond the Textbook: How Mobile Labs are Igniting STEM Aspirations

11 February, 2026 ENAF Communications

Beyond the Textbook: How Mobile Labs are Igniting STEM Aspirations

At Echo Network Africa Foundation (ENAF), we believe that a girl’s potential should never be limited by her infrastructure. For many students in rural Kenya, Science was once a theoretical dream. It was a subject taught from textbooks without the tools to bring it to life.

In celebration of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we are sharing the findings from our latest impact assessment. While ENAF has already delivered mobile laboratories to 16 schools across 14 counties, our team recently conducted a field visit to beneficiary schools in Murang’a, Makueni, Kilifi, and Tana River to evaluate the transformation firsthand. The evidence is clear:

when you give a girl the tools to experiment, you give her the confidence to lead.

From Improvised Tools to Real Discovery

Before the arrival of the ENAF Mobile Science Labs, teachers often had to improvise using locally available materials. In some instances, they were forced to cut plastic water bottles to act as beakers for classroom experiments. Today, that narrative has changed.

Our latest monitoring visit confirmed that teachers have moved from “dry practicals” to consistent, weekly laboratory sessions. The impact on the learners has been immediate and profound. As one student shared:

It’s made me come to school daily. I can touch these test tubes and the tripod stand live!

Proven Results: A Data-Driven Success

Our commitment to accountability ensures that every intervention is tracked for measurable success. The Field Monitoring and Evaluation Report from our January 2026 visit revealed a significant shift in academic performance and student well-being:

Academic Excellence: At Mung’etheele Primary School, top scores in Integrated Science (EE1) rose from zero to four in just one term following the lab’s delivery.
Increased Retention: At Tunzanani Primary School, school dropouts fell from three to one in 2025. Teachers attribute this to increased student motivation and the provision of ENAF Dignity Packs, which ensure girls do not miss school during menstruation.
Inspiring Careers: We observed a significant shift in career aspirations. Students who previously aspired to teach English are now choosing STEM pathways with the goal of becoming doctors and integrated science teachers.
Inclusive Learning: The report verified that learners with disabilities (PWDs) have particularly benefited from the engaging, hands-on nature of the mobile laboratories.

A Hub for Regional Innovation

The impact of these laboratories extends beyond the individual beneficiary schools. Neighbouring institutions have begun requesting permission to use the facilities, effectively turning these schools into regional hubs for practical STEM learning. The monitoring visit verified that the laboratories remain in excellent condition and are handled with immense pride by the local communities.

Join the STEM Revolution

While we celebrate these milestones, our journey is just beginning. Success is proven and the impact is visible. However, thousands of girls across the country still lack access to the tools they need to lead the scientific revolutions of tomorrow.

Our mobile laboratories have already transformed STEM learning in 16 schools across 14 counties, but we need more support to scale this impact across the entire country. Help us ensure that every girl in Kenya has the opportunity to engage in STEM and touch her own future.

Watch the full documentary below to see the impact in action:

Organizational News Women's Leadership, Political Participation & Governance

A Safe Kenya is Good for All: Press Statement by the Women of Kenya

30 January, 2026 ENAF Communications

A Safe Kenya is Good for All: Press Statement by the Women of Kenya

Kenyan women, under the auspices of Echo Network Africa Foundation (ENAF), the African Women Leadership Network (AWLN-Kenya) Chapter, and the Democracy Trust Fund (DTF), have issued a collective call for national security, education reform, and urgent action against gender-based violence.

Defending Sacred Spaces and National Security

The women of Kenya decry the worsening state of security and condemn those perpetrating violence. A primary concern raised is the recent disregard for civility evidenced by the teargassing and firing of bullets at worshippers in a church. The statement reminds the nation that places of worship are sacred spaces where women, children, and persons with disabilities find solace. Duty bearers, including law enforcement officers, the NCIC, and the ODPP, are urged to show more vigilance and sincerity in tackling violence and prosecuting perpetrators in strict adherence to the rule of law.

Addressing the Crisis in Education

Deep concerns were raised regarding the mishandling of Competence-Based Education (CBE). Issues highlighted include low transition rates from Junior to Senior School, chaotic placement processes from Grade 9 to Grade 10, and the high cost of education.

To address these challenges, the women of Kenya propose that all bursaries be consolidated into one basket to manage the financial and infrastructural crisis. The statement also commends the resilience and kindness shown by the community, such as the women from Kiboi Market in Kisii who raised over Ksh 80,000 to take an orphan girl to school, dismantling the myth that women are their own enemies.

Declaring GBV a National Disaster

The statement welcomes the report and recommendations of the Presidential Technical Working Group on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Femicide led by Dr. Nancy Baraza. The women of Kenya support the recommendation that H.E. the President urgently proclaim GBV as a national disaster. They commit to supporting the full implementation of these recommendations and standing behind the President in the war against GBV and technology-facilitated violence.

Conclusion

The women of Kenya conclude by committing to create safe spaces for intergenerational conversations to enhance national cohesion and mentorship. A safe and growing Kenya is good for all.

Press Statement – ENAF, DTF, AWLN – A Safe Kenya For All Download

Kuza Jamii

When the Tree Bends: How ‘El Wak Got Talent’ Used Art to Heal Households

17 December, 2025 ENAF Communications

When the Tree Bends: How ‘El Wak Got Talent’ Used Art to Heal Households

Wargadud, Mandera County

Hassan wanted a new radio to impress his friends. Aisha needed a donkey cart to save her breaking back. In many homes, this argument happens in silence. But today, it happened on a public stage.

The laughter in Wargadud was loud, but the silence that followed was even louder.

This scene is not unique to Wargadud. From the riverbanks of Tana River to the arid plains of Marsabit, Echo Network Africa Foundation (ENAF) is turning village squares into theaters of change.

A Regional Movement

As the technical lead for Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) in the Kuza Jamii II consortium, ENAF has launched a massive capacity-building initiative across Isiolo, Garissa, Tana River, Marsabit, and Mandera counties.

ENAF has identified and trained numerous local youth groups in these five counties, equipping them with the “Happy Family Tree” methodology. These groups are now deploying across the region, using their talent to bypass traditional resistance and spark critical conversations about household power dynamics.

In Wargadud, it was the “El Wak Got Talent” group that took the stage. But they are part of a larger army of youth champions trained by ENAF to deliver one unified message: A household divided cannot prosper.

Making the Invisible, Visible

The drama performed in Wargadud visualized a complex reality recognized across all five counties.

The Conflict: The audience watched “Aisha” begging for a donkey cart for water, while “Hassan” insisted on buying a kanzu and a radio.
The Metaphor: The skit visualized the family as a tree. Aisha carried the heavy “roots” (labor), while Hassan held all the “leaves” (decisions).
The Lesson: A tree with heavy roots on one side and leaves on the other cannot stand. It bends. It breaks.

The Community Responds

The impact of this region-wide strategy was evident in the reaction of local leadership in Wargadud. Siad Adan Ibrahim, a community leader, watched the performance and saw a direct link between the drama and his community’s future.

Siad (center) chats with ENAF Mandera County Project Assistant, Abdihakim Golo (right), during the Community Forum.

“We have been educated today,” Siad Adan remarked. “We have understood that how we live with our wives and children matters. If parents are constantly quarreling in the boma (homestead), the children get spoiled and develop bad behaviors.”

He noted that the youth’s performance clarified a critical truth.

“When we cooperate in the boma, we progress,” he added. “The children learn from us. We will change our bad habits and move forward.”

Why This Matters

Economic inclusion programs often stumble when household dynamics remain rigid. If a woman receives a grant but has no say in how to spend it, the investment fails.

By training youth groups to cascade these messages across all five counties, ENAF is inoculating the ASAL region against gender-based barriers. This creates a fertile environment where future economic investments can thrive.

ENAF is proud to drive this innovation within the Kuza Jamii II program, supporting the Government of Kenya’s poverty graduation agenda.

Kuza Jamii

Leading the Change: How Adey and the Women of Slaughter VSLA are Transforming Mandera’s Economy

16 December, 2025 ENAF Communications

Leading the Change: How Adey and the Women of Slaughter VSLA are Transforming Mandera’s Economy

In the arid expanse of Mandera County, development is driven by the resilience of its women. As a key implementing partner in the Kuza Jamii II consortium, Echo Network Africa Foundation (ENAF) is working with groups like the Slaughter VSLA in El Wak to turn that resilience into sustainable livelihoods.

A Women-Led Movement for Shared Roles

The Slaughter VSLA is a powerful example of community transformation. Comprising 30 members (26 women and 4 men), the group represents a shift toward women taking active roles in shaping the economic future of their families.

The Slaughter VSLA gathered at a member’s home, where ENAF delivered the training right to their location.

However, economic participation requires support at home. This is where ENAF’s role is critical. Today, ENAF Mandera County Project Assistant Abdihakim Golo guided the group through the “Happy Family Tree” training.

This tool is a core part of the GALS (Gender Action Learning System) methodology. ENAF uses GALS to socially uplift women, recognizing a vital community reality: women are often the primary caregivers for children, even if they historically haven’t been the main breadwinners. By validating their roles and encouraging shared decision-making, this training ensures that as women like those in the Slaughter VSLA start businesses, their standing in the household rises to match their economic contribution.

From Funding to Flourishing

The impact of this approach is already visible. On December 8th, the group received their first Business Savings Group (BSG) grant.

Adey Mohamed Abdi of Slaughter VSLA (Nihma Business Group) interacts with a customer at her stall.

Adey Mohamed Abdi, a member of the Nihma Business Group within the VSLA, is proof of the program’s immediate success. With her share of the grant, she has revitalised her grocery business.

“I have used the grant to improve my grocery business while taking care of my children,” Adey says.

Standing at her shop, now fully stocked with fresh vegetables, Adey is securing her children’s future. Her success demonstrates that when women are socially uplifted through GALS methodology and supported with capital, the entire family unit thrives.

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About Kuza Jamii II

Kuza Jamii is Swahili for “Transforming Communities.” The project supports the Government of Kenya in increasing the socio-economic resilience of households living in extreme poverty through the poverty graduation approach. Funded by the UK Government’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), the program is led by Village Enterprise in consortium with Echo Network Africa Foundation (ENAF), GENCAD, CHASP Advisory, and Smart Regional Consultants. The project is currently implemented in Isiolo, Garissa, Tana River, Marsabit, and Mandera counties.

Community Resilience & Livelihoods Kuza Jamii

Acting for Change: How Youth in Northern Kenya are Using Theatre to Break the Silence on Gender Violence

12 December, 2025 ENAF Communications

Acting for Change: How Youth in Northern Kenya are Using Theatre to Break the Silence on Gender Violence

In the arid expanses of Northern Kenya, deep-rooted cultural norms often dictate the pace of social change. To address this, a new narrative is being written. Echo Network Africa Foundation (ENAF) launched a critical phase of the Kuza Jamii II program. The initiative has deployed 357 youth leaders to champion Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) through the transformative power of the arts.

Funded by the British High Commission (FCDO) and implemented by a consortium led by Village Enterprise, Kuza Jamii II is a £7 million initiative designed to graduate households out of extreme poverty. However, sustainable economic resilience is impossible without social equity. ENAF has operationalized a “social graduation” model to address this need. We are equipping local youth groups with the Gender Action Learning System (GALS) methodology to dismantle barriers such as Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and early marriage.

The Strategy: Behavioral Change through Performance

Traditional sensitization methods often struggle to penetrate the social fabric of conservative communities. Lectures and town halls can feel confrontational or abstract. To bridge this gap, ENAF has pivoted to a community-led arts approach.

Following an intensive training workshop held last month, youth groups have been upskilled in script development and theatrical performance. These groups are already trusted entertainers within their wards and are now serving as tactical agents of change.

Pius Lokuru, a community leader from Korr in Marsabit, explains that the visual and emotional nature of drama bypasses defensiveness and sparks dialogue.

“A message delivered through performance lands differently than a lecture,” Lokuru observes. “When the community watches a drama, they act as if they are seeing their own reality reflected back at them. That is when the real message sinks in.”

Case Study: From Bystander to Defender

The impact of this capacity building is already evident in the confidence of the participants. Catherine Bulyar, a youth leader with the Napoki Group in Karare Ward, describes the program as a turning point for women’s agency in her region.

Previously, Catherine notes, a culture of silence surrounded domestic violence. Interventions were rare and fear was the dominant response. However, the ENAF training has equipped her with both the language and the courage to act.

“Words alone often fail to provoke action, but performance demands attention,” Catherine asserts. “We are using action to drive change. Since the training, I have already intervened in cases of domestic violence and child abuse that would have previously gone unreported. I no longer feel helpless. If I see injustice, I know the protocol and I will report it.”

Institutionalizing Referral Pathways

A key component of the training involved demystifying the reporting process for GBV. In Isiolo, Deka Ali of the Chimchim Youth Group highlights how the program clarified the often-confusing referral pathways for Gender-Based Violence cases.

Deka Ali (Centre) rehearses with members of her youth group

Deka Ali (Centre) with her youth group members

Deka emphasizes that the training dismantled the harmful “private family matter” myth that often shields perpetrators.

“We used to witness conflict and dismiss it as a private household issue,” Deka admits. “That has changed. We now understand that we share the burden of our community’s well-being. Crucially, we learned that we don’t need to be investigators. Our role is to identify the breach and safely link victims to the authorities.”

Scaling for Impact

This initiative is part of a broader regional rollout. ENAF has trained 20 youth groups across Garissa, Isiolo, Mandera, Marsabit, and Tana River. The program targets a reach of over 23,000 community members who are not direct recipients of economic grants.

These groups are moving from rehearsal spaces to public performances to create safe, inclusive forums for intergenerational dialogue. ENAF is embedding GESI principles into local entertainment to ensure that the economic gains of Kuza Jamii II are protected by a more inclusive and equitable social environment.

Blue Economy & Climate Action

Rising with the Waves: Rhoda and Monica’s Journey with the Ten Fishmongers Women Group

30 October, 2025 ENAF Communications

Rising with the Waves: Rhoda and Monica’s Journey with the Ten Fishmongers Women Group

Along the shores of Lake Victoria, the sound of determination is louder than the waves. At Uhanya Beach in Siaya County, a group of women known as the Ten Fishmongers Women Group is leading a quiet revolution. For years, women around the lake were trapped in an exploitative system that made access to fish difficult and unsafe. Today, through unity and empowerment, these women have turned the tide in their favor.

Supported by Echo Network Africa Foundation (ENAF) in partnership with MEDA under the Leveraging Equality for Gender Inclusive Economic Development (LEGEND) Project, the Ten Fishmongers Women Group is transforming livelihoods through aquaculture, entrepreneurship, and leadership. The group has received a fish cage, fingerlings, feeds, a motorized boat, and most recently, a solar-powered freezer to improve fish preservation. These investments have not only improved their income but also strengthened their role as leaders within their community.

Among the many women who have grown through this initiative are Monica and Rhoda, whose stories embody the group’s journey of resilience and renewal.

When Monica first came to Uhanya in 2022, she hoped to make a living from selling omena. The business was not easy. Accessing fish was inconsistent, and her earnings were low. Determined to provide for her children, she started a small street food stall just outside the local meeting hall. When she joined the Ten Fishmongers Women Group, everything began to change.

Monica stands proudly at her street food stall near Uhanya Beach

ENAF’s Programme Manager for Blue Economy and Climate Change, Mercy Ogwel, interacts with Monica at her food stall in Uhanya.

Through training and mentorship, Monica learned better ways to manage her business and engage in aquaculture. She also gained the confidence to expand her ventures and support others.

“I have managed to educate my children and even employed people in the aquaculture space,” says Monica.

Her small food stall has now become a reliable source of income, and she continues to support the group’s fish farming activities. Monica’s story is one of persistence and faith, a reminder that when women are given equal opportunity, they find ways to thrive.

Rhoda, the chairlady of the group, has seen firsthand how the right knowledge can change everything. After receiving training through the project, she diversified her income by starting a kitchen garden and poultry business at her home.

Rhoda, chairlady of the Ten Fishmongers Women Group, tends to her lush kitchen garden — one of the initiatives she started after receiving training through the ENAF and MEDA project.

Rhoda proudly displays her thriving poultry project

“Since the training, I have never had to buy chicken. I sold eighteen cockerels last month, and that helped me pay school fees for my children,” Rhoda shares proudly.

Beyond poultry, Rhoda has kept investing in aquaculture and now owns two boats which employ local youth to manage fish cages and nets. Her home is a model of self-reliance, filled with green vegetables, chicken coops, and an incubator she uses to increase her flock.

Under her leadership, the Ten Fishmongers Women Group continues to grow stronger. Their table banking initiative has expanded, enabling members to lend to one another and reinvest in their businesses. With the solar-powered freezer, they can now store fish safely and reduce post-harvest losses, which has significantly increased their profits.

The story of Rhoda, Monica, and the Ten Fishmongers Women Group is a story of courage and transformation. It is a reflection of what happens when grassroots women are equipped with skills, resources, and opportunity. From the shores of Lake Victoria, these women are proving that empowerment is not a gift. It is a process, and one that continues to ripple through their community, changing lives one wave at a time.

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