About Us
Darul Kheir is a registered Community Based Organization founded in 2016. ‘Darul’ and ‘Kheir’ are Arabic words that can be translated to mean ‘The Home Of Good Fortune.’ The organization places a strong focus on religious relevance and programmatic sustainability. Our mission is informed by the desire to better manage the nexus between sustainable development and urbanization challenges in the informal settlements where we dispense our practices. Darul Kheir's central priorities are promoting formal education and actualizing ideal living standards in informal settlements.
Darul Kheir has over the years implemented a vast spectrum of activities aimed at improving the living standards of children, youths and women living in the Mukuru slums. These activities include; Madrassa program, Orphans and other vulnerable children programs, vocational training programs such as tailoring and youth skills development and mentorship, enterprise development trainings and food program.
Why We Exist
Darul Kheir was established by the need for a comprehensive community-based program to care for children, youth, women, and their families. It promotes equitable community development and women’s literacy, strengthening peace and solidarity in Urban Informal Settlement Areas. Darul Kheir was also motivated to build a robust Islamic education system within the Muslim community living in the Mukuru Slums. The organization also aspires to address the needs of women in poverty, HIV/AIDS, and gender-based violence.
Darul Kheir Center Area Of Operation
Darul Kheir engages its operations in Mukuru Slums. The wide scope of operations are oriented towards providing holistic and integrated services with the view of addressing different humanitarian needs of the inhabitants of the Mukuru informal settlements. The CBO has a specific focus on the basic, physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual well-being needs of the expansive slums as well as empowering disadvantaged communities with skills and capacity to be in charge of their own development.
The slums of Mukuru are home to over 600,000 people. Most of these people have left their rural homes because of poverty and came to the city in the hope of finding work. Some are successful but the majority, being unskilled and uneducated, remain jobless. They live in very poor shacks made from cardboard or plastic material while those who are a little better off have houses made from corrugated iron sheets or similar substances. These one-roomed houses are approximately ten by ten feet and have no sanitation or running water. There is no waste collection and most of the waste, household and other, goes directly into the nearby river.
For more than 9 years now, Darul Kheir has been implementing different projects throughout the Mukuru villages- Mukuru kwa Reuben, Mukuru kwa Njenga, Sinai, Paradise, Jamaica, Kingstone, Mariguini, Fuata Nyayo and Mukuru Kayaba.
Darul Kheir Core Values
Educate
Education is at the heart of Darul Kheir's mission. The organization believes in the power of knowledge to transform lives and communities. Through its various programs, Darul Kheir provides both formal and Islamic education, fostering intellectual growth and spiritual development.
Integrity
Integrity is about being honest, transparent, and ethical in all dealings. For Darul Kheir, this means adhering to the highest standards of conduct in its operations, ensuring that resources are used effectively and responsibly, and maintaining trust with the community it serves.
Unity
Unity is about fostering a sense of togetherness and mutual support among community members. Darul Kheir works to build strong, resilient communities where everyone contributes to the collective well-being. This value is reflected in the organization's collaborative approach to problem-solving and disaster management.
Empowerment
Empowerment involves equipping individuals with the skills and resources they need to improve their own lives. Darul Kheir's vocational training programs and enterprise development trainings are examples of how the organization empowers community members, particularly women and youth, to become self-reliant and contribute to the local economy.
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Our Organization And Management
Darul Kheir is governed by a six-member board of directors including representatives from different target groups (such as women, youths), Muslim leaders, local community leadership and administrators. This team oversee the management and administration of the Madrassa and all other programs under DK umbrella. The program implementation team is led by the Program Director, who is assisted by the Program Coordinator, Program Assistant and specialized Project Volunteers.
The project activities are planned and implemented by community-based volunteers and community members, who also form the organization’s general assembly. In addition to the local program team and community-based volunteers, Darul Kheir also leverages the efforts of external sponsors who assist in building the capacity of local volunteers and support the organization in resource mobilization.
Darul Kheir Organization Philosophy
Our philosophy is pegged on the teachings of the Holy Quran and principles depicted in three United Nations Sustainable Developmental Goals: Goal 3 — Good health and well-being, Goal 4 — Quality education, and Goal 10 — Reduced Inequalities. We endeavor to foster improved management of the nexus between sustainable development and urbanization challenges in the informal settlements by advocating for the community’s wellbeing, acquiring education, and reducing inequalities influenced by increased poverty and gender discrimination.
We emphasize that sustainable urban development is a dynamic process posing various needs at different time phases. The ideal state of development can only be achieved through sensitizing and applying the principles of equity and equality. Such a desirable outcome can be realized upon admitting consistent interventions based on designed frameworks that incorporate the requirements projected by the communities, active participation of the community, and all stakeholders- all under the leadership of an able project management team.
Community Impact And Milestones
Darul Kheir has made significant strides in reaching out to the Informal Settlement areas of Nairobi, such as the Mukuru slums community. The organization’s programs have touched the lives of a wide range of individuals.
For instance, the Economic Empowerment Program has provided over 1900 individuals with the necessary tools, resources, and training to develop their entrepreneurial skills.
The Monthly Rashin for Most Vulnerable Families program provides regular monthly assistance to at least 300 families, and the Teenage Mentorship Programs benefit 600 teenagers annually.
Darul Kheir has established a strong presence in the Mukuru slums since its inception in 2016. The organization’s operations are grounded on a Madrassa program in Fuata Nyayo, and it has successfully integrated Islamic education with the formal education offered by the Kenyan government and other organizations.
This approach has allowed Darul Kheir to reach many Muslim children and the broader community living in Mukuru, ensuring a balanced education system.
Darul Kheir Accreditations
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Frequently Asked Questions Answered
What is Darul Kheir and what does it do?
Darul Kheir is a registered Community Based Organization that focuses on religious relevance and programmatic sustainability. It aims to manage the nexus between sustainable development and urbanization challenges in the informal settlements within which it dispenses its practices.
When was Darul Kheir founded and where does it operate?
Darul Kheir was founded in 2016 and operates in the Mukuru slums in Nairobi, Kenya.' For your information, 'Darul Kheir' are Arabic words that can be translated to mean 'The Home of Good Fortune.'
What is the mission of Darul Kheir?
Darul Kheir's mission is to provide affordable wholesome education to the less fortunate in the Muslim community.
What are the main programs and initiatives of Darul Kheir?
Darul Kheir runs several programs including the Madrassa program, programs for orphans and other vulnerable children, vocational training programs, enterprise development trainings, a food program, and more.
How does Darul Kheir integrate Islamic education with formal education?
Darul Kheir integrates Islamic education with the formal education offered by the Kenyan government and other organizations through a comprehensive strategy. This approach ensures a balanced education system for the Muslim children and the larger community in Mukuru.
What activities does Darul Kheir implement to improve living standards in the Mukuru slums?
Darul Kheir integrates Islamic education with the formal education offered by the Kenyan government and other organizations through a comprehensive strategy. This approach ensures a balanced education system for the Muslim children and the larger community in Mukuru.
What is the Women Literacy Program and how does it empower women in the community?
The Women Literacy Program is a transformative initiative that empowers women in the community through education and skills development. The program provides women with the opportunity to learn and enhance their reading, writing, and numeracy skills.
What is the Economic Empowerment Program and how does it promote sustainable livelihoods?
The Economic Empowerment Program is aimed at breaking the cycle of poverty and promoting sustainable livelihoods. Through this program, more than 1900 individuals have been provided with the necessary tools, resources, and training to develop their entrepreneurial skills, enhance their financial literacy, and establish income-generating activities in Mukuru.
What is the Monthly Rashin for Most Vulnerable Families program and how does it support the community?
The Monthly Rashin for Most Vulnerable Families program provides regular monthly assistance to alleviate the hardship of the most vulnerable families in the community, ensuring that they have access to nutritious meals, improved living conditions, and essential healthcare services.
How does the Talents/Skills Program leverage Sports to empower individuals?
The Talents and Skills Program leverages the power of football as a sport to empower individuals in the community. The program provides a platform for participants to develop their football skills, enhance their physical fitness, and cultivate essential life skills such as teamwork, discipline, resilience, and leadership.
How does Darul Kheir work towards curbing crime and violence in Mukuru?
Darul Kheir has a comprehensive strategy to curb crime and violence in Mukuru slums. The organization works closely with the community, national security agencies, and other institutions in the country to foster violence prevention mechanisms.
What is the Disaster Management program and how does it respond to disasters in the Mukuru slums?
The Disaster Management program provides prompt and effective response to disasters, particularly fires and floods that frequently impact the vulnerable community in the Mukuru slums. The program swiftly mobilizes a dedicated team of trained volunteers and professionals to provide immediate relief and assistance.
What is the Iftar Program and how does it support communities during the holy month of Ramadan?
Darul Kheir's Iftar Program during the holy month of Ramadan provides essential support to communities by offering a comprehensive package of food rations delivered directly to their homes.
What is the Eid Festival and how does it promote unity and community spirit?
The Eid Festival Program is an annual celebration aimed at fostering joy, unity, and community spirit during the festive occasion of Eid. The program brings together people from diverse backgrounds to partake in a range of engaging activities.
What is the Prison Dawaah program and how does it empower Islamic Studies?
The Prison Dawaah program is a unique initiative that brings Islamic Studies to the inmates of Langata Women’s Prison in Nairobi. The program provides inmates with the opportunity to learn about Islam and offers guidance and counselling sessions.
How can one contribute or get involved with Darul Kheir's initiatives?
Individuals, institutions, and organizations that share in the Darul Kheir spirit can contribute or get involved with Darul Kheir's initiatives by offering financial assistance, volunteering, or providing other forms of support. For more specific information on how to contribute or get involved, it's best to contact Darul Kheir directly.