What is the Undugu’s and Taksvärkki’s project like among youth living and working on the streets in Kenya? Join us on a photo journey to Nairobi and Kisumu with our program officer Jaakko Lavonius! Here are some highlights from the project monitoring trip in October 2025.
The purpose of the trip to Kenya was to meet with the youth associations and other stakeholders, and to plan the next phase of the entire development cooperation project together.
How did the project trip in Kenya go?
“It was a pleasure to meet some of the associations for the first time, but also to follow the development of the associations and the youth themselves whom I had previously met—those living and working on the streets,” Jaakko shared immediately upon returning from the trip.
“There’s no shortage of challenges, and it’s important to understand that life sometimes moves forward and sometimes backward, but the strong capabilities and faith in the future of the youth help them overcome these challenges and move forward.”
What stood out most from the project monitoring trip?
“Probably the commitment of numerous youth groups to change. Their own motivation to change the direction of their lives. When youth work together as an association, they have long-term plans to earn, save, and develop their own livelihoods,” says Jaakko.
“The determined networking of the youth and their efforts to secure support for their activities from various sources are also noteworthy. Meeting associations at different stages of development was wonderful. It provided a concrete illustration of the change-process and the long-term work and dedication it requires. Examples of this include the Nairobi-based groups Dallas and Champions of Change.”
Different ways to earn a living and decide one’s own future
Faith is an entrepreneur in the city of Kisumu, where youth receive support to start their own businesses. Faith graduated as a hairdresser a couple of weeks ago. She has been in training since March and is already earning a living for herself and her child. Faith is now saving money to open her own hair salon. Her child will start school next year.
The youth in the project get a chance to speak on Jowi 98.1 FM, a local radio station in Kisumu. Cathrine graduated as an electrician last week. As an expert by experience, her speech was direct, compelling, and sure to change attitudes in the community. She has a difficult history of problems with her family and living on the streets. The broadcast received many supportive calls.
We also visited the regional administration in Kisumu. The reception was very cooperative. Project planning workshops were held in both cities with youth, representatives of stakeholder groups, and the team from Taksvärkki’s partner organization, Undugu. The photo shows some of the participants in the Nairobi workshop.
The Smart Vision youth group in Nairobi raises and sells animals. The money they earn is divided among the group members.
Maintaining a public restroom is another source of income. Youth-led organizations called Champions of Change and Dallas run their own businesses.
In the photo above on the right, chips and potatoes are being prepared for sale at the bus station. Food preparation and sales provide employment for several young adults.
Members from Champions of Change (top), Deliverance (left), and the Dallas group (right) gathered in Nairobi.
It was also great to meet Dennis and Moses, who shared their stories in last year’s Taksvärkki campaign. In the center of the photo is youth counselor Jacintha Njeri.
You can watch all of their video messages on the When You Feel Safe campaign website and in the embedded videos below. Turn on subtitles for the YouTube videos using the icon at the bottom.
Photos: Jaakko Lavonius, Taksvärkki ry and Joshwa Ochieng, Undugu.