SALAMA CRAFT COMMUNITY PROJECT, KENYA

This project was brought to the attention of SAS YOU ASSIST by SHOM – Spouses of Head of Mission, a group of 33 people who accompany ambassadors/consular officials in Kenya. Their first project was to sponsor a water tank in a small village outside Nairobi. The second was to sponsor the construction of a library in Marsabit with the help of SAS YOU ASSIST (FASAL Library Project). SHOM organises various activities, including a bazaar to raise money.

Salama started in 2020. The vision is to take care of young mothers who are expelled from their homes. The mothers are accused of their "mistake" and are made to bear all the blame. During the pandemic, things got even worse and several young girls became pregnant. The goal of the operation is to give them a profession so they can support themselves, but also to encourage them to shape their future for themselves and their children. At the start, there were 20 mothers and they can receive a maximum of 40 mothers.

Salama means welcome/hello, and the organization is supported by the Catholic Church in Kibera. Kibera is located in Nairobi and is one of the world's largest slums. The church also sponsors a school for 70 children. A Craft Community supplies the school with food, books and other school materials. Salama also provides scholarships to promising young people.

Right now the focus is on the construction of a day center and activity house. It is a two-storey building that will house vocational training, a day center and a kindergarten. The building will be completed in 2023 and will be able to accommodate 40 mothers. The owner of both the land and the house is Koinonia, a priest who works within an NGO established in Kenya.

The center is open from 8 am to 1 pm.

The upper storey contains several small rooms where the women learn to cook in order to be able to work as home help. It will also lead to catering for hotels and restaurants, mainly fast food. There is also training for hairdressers. The center manufactures soap, shampoo, detergents and scrubbers that are sold and provide income for the center. Twenty litres of liquid soap costs KES 800/SEK 50. Sales take place within Kibera but also outside, providing an income of KES 2000/month. The women receive microloans to start their businesses.

Another activity is the manufacture of candles and baskets. On the upper floor there is also a large room where the mothers can rest, share experiences and, above all, feel safe.

There will be a room that is bright and separate for young mothers who are breastfeeding while the older children are in a playroom on the lower level where it is cool.

SAS YOU ASSIST has contributed a library at the center. Then we received a request to contribute to the renovation of existing loos and build some new ones as well as a changing room. By building this, water consumption will be reduced as the old worn-out facilities leak water. It will also give the mothers the opportunity to manage their own and their babies' hygiene in a more dignified way than today.