This project is about empowering the community. By changing attitudes, beliefs, and building confidence to enable residents to challenge the authorities to provide basic facilities.

The conditions in Mgongeni in Kenya are similar to those suffered by slum areas in major English towns at the beginning of the Industrial revolution.

Basic living conditions are unacceptable. There is massive overcrowding resulting in substandard housing, inadequate water supply, poor drainage and inadequate sewage disposal. There is no rubbish collection so it is everywhere and encourages rats and other rodents that spread disease. The area floods in the rainy season undermining houses, leaving stagnant water where mosquitoes and other parasites breed. There is chronic poverty made worse by neglect. Many children do not attend school, there is high unemployment and with no benefit system many people live below the breadline. There are no medical facilities so many people die of treatable diseases.

The authorities and Kenyan politicians make promises but never deliver. Nothing will change until the community become organised. We are working with the Elders and assistant chief to set up a Community Based Organisation (CBO); an action committee that will harness the knowledge and skills of the community. We shall train the members in political and communication skills so that they are confident to challenge those in authority and fight for better facilities.