Programs

Our Programs: Stay, Learn, Lead, Thrive

Greendada CBO’s programs follow the journey of a girl or young person from staying in school to building an independent, meaningful life. We work with girls aged 12–24 years in Mathare North and other underserved communities.

Stay

Education access, retention and continuity

We work to ensure girls remain in school, safe and supported to continue their education.

Programme goal: To improve access to education, support school retention and ensure that children and young people, particularly girls from underserved communities, have the resources and support they need to remain in school and complete their education.

What this programme seeks to achieve

  • Reduce barriers that prevent children, especially girls, from attending and completing school.
  • Improve access to learning materials and educational support.
  • Support children from vulnerable households to participate in education.
  • Promote safe and inclusive learning environments.
  • Support school re-entry and continuity for girls facing difficult circumstances.

Key activities

Area Activities
Education support School fees assistance where possible, school supplies, uniforms and learning materials.
Feeding support School feeding initiatives and nutritional support for vulnerable learners.
Learning access Library access, reading programmes, homework support and access to books.
School retention Attendance monitoring, identification of at-risk learners and engagement with parents and schools.
Girls’ protection Address barriers such as sexual harassment, exploitation, child marriage and teenage pregnancy.
School re-entry Support girls returning to school after pregnancy, abuse or other disruptions.
Community engagement Parent meetings and school-community partnerships to support education.

Expected outcomes

  • Improved school attendance and retention.
  • Increased access to educational resources.
  • Reduced education-related barriers for vulnerable girls and children.
  • More supportive and protective learning environments.

Learn

Knowledge, life skills and informed choices

We strengthen girls’ learning and equip them with practical skills for life, work and citizenship.

Programme goal: To equip children and young people with knowledge, practical life skills and awareness that enable them to make informed decisions, understand their rights, navigate challenges and take responsibility for themselves and their communities.

What this programme seeks to achieve

  • Improve access to knowledge beyond formal classroom education.
  • Equip young people with practical skills for everyday life.
  • Improve awareness of health, wellbeing and personal protection.
  • Strengthen young people’s ability to identify risks and make informed decisions.
  • Promote environmental awareness and responsible citizenship.

Key activities

Area Activities
Academic enrichment Reading clubs, literacy programmes, homework support and holiday learning bootcamps.
Life skills Communication, decision-making, problem-solving, self-awareness and critical thinking.
SRHR education Age-appropriate reproductive health education, menstrual health, consent and bodily autonomy.
GBV awareness Understanding different forms of violence, healthy relationships, personal boundaries, grooming and exploitation.
Mental wellbeing Mental health awareness, emotional intelligence, stress management and knowing when to seek help.
Digital literacy Digital skills, online safety, cyberbullying awareness and responsible technology use.
Environmental education Climate awareness, waste management, conservation and sustainable living.

Expected outcomes

  • Improved knowledge and practical life skills.
  • Increased awareness of rights, safety and personal wellbeing.
  • Young people making more informed decisions.
  • Increased environmental awareness and responsible behaviour.

Lead

Leadership, mentorship and youth agency

We prepare girls and young people to lead in their homes, schools, and communities.

Programme goal: To develop confident, responsible and empowered young people who can use their voices, exercise leadership, influence decisions and contribute positively to their communities.

What this programme seeks to achieve

  • Build confidence, self-expression and leadership abilities.
  • Create opportunities for mentorship and positive role modelling.
  • Strengthen girls’ participation in decision-making.
  • Develop young people as advocates for positive social change.
  • Encourage boys and young men to become responsible and positive community members.
  • Promote youth participation in community development.

Key activities

Area Activities
Girls’ leadership Girls’ leadership clubs, confidence-building sessions and leadership training.
Mentorship Mentorship circles, career guidance, role-model engagement and intergenerational mentorship.
Youth advocacy Youth-led campaigns, community dialogues and awareness initiatives.
GBV prevention Train peer champions, girls’ rights advocacy, anti-GBV campaigns and boys’ engagement on positive masculinity.
Youth participation Youth forums, community representation and opportunities to engage decision-makers.
Environmental leadership Youth environmental clubs, community clean-ups, tree planting and climate action campaigns.
Voice and expression Teen Focus Podcast, public speaking, storytelling and creative expression.

Expected outcomes

  • Increased confidence and leadership capacity among young people.
  • Girls actively participating in decisions affecting their lives.
  • Increased youth-led community initiatives.
  • Young people challenging harmful norms and promoting safer communities.
  • Stronger youth participation in environmental and social change.

Thrive

Wellbeing, resilience and sustainable futures

We support young people to transition into sustainable livelihoods and ongoing community impact.

Programme goal: To support young people to achieve their full potential by strengthening their physical, mental and social wellbeing, building resilience and creating pathways towards personal, social and economic independence.

What this programme seeks to achieve

  • Improve access to supportive environments and wellbeing services.
  • Strengthen the resilience and self-reliance of young people.
  • Support girls and young women facing vulnerability, exclusion and difficult circumstances.
  • Develop practical and economic empowerment opportunities.
  • Encourage young people to take responsibility for their environment and communities.

Key activities

Area Activities
Safe spaces Community learning and mentorship spaces where young people can access support and participate in positive activities.
Psychosocial wellbeing Peer support, wellbeing sessions, professional counselling referrals and mental health support.
GBV response Safe referrals for survivors to appropriate medical, psychosocial, protection and legal services.
Skills development Practical skills, vocational exposure, entrepreneurship and financial literacy.
Economic empowerment Livelihood skills, small enterprise exposure and opportunities for older girls and young women.
Environmental action Tree growing, environmental restoration, community greening and youth-led conservation initiatives.
Social inclusion Support for young people with disabilities and those experiencing social or economic exclusion.
Personal development Goal-setting, resilience, self-reliance and transition-to-adulthood support.

Expected outcomes

  • Improved physical, mental and social wellbeing.
  • Increased access to support and protection services.
  • Greater resilience and self-reliance.
  • Improved skills and opportunities for economic independence.
  • Young people actively contributing to healthier and more sustainable communities.

Who we serve

Age group

12–24 years

Location

Mathare North, Ruaraka Sub-County, Nairobi

Focus

Adolescent girls and young people in underserved communities

How we work

Our Approach

We believe that real change happens when young people are at the centre. Our approach is:

  • Community-rooted: We are from Mathare and understand the realities our girls face every day.
  • Girl-centred: We design programs with girls, not just for them, listening to their voices and priorities.
  • Holistic: We address education, health, safety, skills and livelihoods together.
  • Sustainable: We build youth leadership and alumni networks so impact continues beyond any single project.

From informal mentorship in our neighbourhood to structured programs across urban slums in Nairobi, we are committed to walking with every girl and young person on their journey from learning to independence.