A visit to Mathare brings to light the massive disparities which exist between the communities there and their more affluent counterparts in other parts of Nairobi. Neighbourhoods in Mathare have minimal access to basic necessities such as waste disposal services, medical aid, education, and employment opportunities. Poor hygiene, food-borne diseases, and alcoholism are just a few of the major issues facing Mathare community members each and every day.

The communities we work with to create change in Mathare include present and former community members, local and international volunteers, and organizations around the world which are committed to. Due to a lack of public space, community members face challenges when implementing community-based initiatives aimed at supporting the people of Mathare.

The Mathare Slums Community Association (MaSCA) is a member organization which connects volunteers, NGOs, and the Mathare community. We look for projects and connect volunteers with short-term and long-term assignments on projects that aim to strengthen sustainable, community-based partnerships.

Currently there are many local and international NGOs involved in various projects in Mathare – many work in education, youth empowerment, small and medium enterprises for women, medical aid, and health education. Many of these groups are MaSCA members. Our dream is to bring these organisations together to create long-lasting collaborations and an irreversibly positive impact on the Mathare community; our crowdfunding campaign for the river rehabilitation project and environmental program in Mathare 3A is our next step in this process.