Darul Kheir Organization Initiatives
We are a registered community-based organization center with an ultimate goal to help cater to the persons living in Mukuru Slums.
Fostering Formal Education, Skills Mentorship, Relief Aid, Security Support, And Economic Empowerment To The Vulnerable People
Madrassa And Tahfeedh (Women & Children)
Adult Literacy And Women Learning
Women have been victims of ruthless power struggles for centuries in all societies and cultures around the world. The Holy Quran has demonstrated a necessity for Muslims to have divine revelation as part of their everyday educational life. Our Women Literacy Program is a transformative initiative that empowers women in the community through education and skills development. Recognizing the importance of literacy in empowering individuals and promoting social and economic progress, this program has been instrumental in providing women in the community with the opportunity to learn and enhance their reading, writing, and numeracy skills.
By equipping women with literacy skills, we not only enable them to participate more actively in their daily lives but also empower them to pursue further education, seek better employment opportunities, and contribute meaningfully to their families and communities. Through this program, we are breaking barriers, fostering confidence, and promoting gender equality, ultimately transforming lives and creating a more inclusive and empowered society. We realized that women record higher levels of illiteracy and unawareness in Mukuru Slums as compared to women of different religious orientations. We have also noted that the situation is also dire amongst Muslim women. They continue to exhibit high levels of illiteracy and lack of awareness on prevailing social policies that can be beneficial to them.
Education Empowerment Program
We established this program to recognize the pressing need to address the financial barriers faced by our madrassa students in pursuing secondary education. It aims to ensure that these students do not face obstacles in joining secondary school due to the lack of school fees.
By offering financial assistance and scholarships, we empower and enable these deserving students to continue their educational journey, opening doors to a brighter future and breaking the community's poverty cycle. We have admitted an average of 50 students yearly to different government and private Islamic integrated Secondary schools.
Under this program, vulnerable children from financially constrained backgrounds in the informal settlements are considered. In the spirit of love and teachings of the holy book, we’ve also admitted several non-muslim members into the program.
The number of admissions has been relatively low because of our financial limitations but it’s our hope that we’ll support more children after successfully soliciting for assistance from individuals, institutions and organizations that share in the Darul Kheir spirit. Every year, more than 200 students across the Mukuru area benefit from Community Welfare and Social Services Programs promoted by Darul.
Women Arabic And Islamic Education
Darul Khier outsourced Madrassa Curriculum Developers who have worked to produce a unique Curriculum that suits the Students of the informal Settlement lifestyles. Through a consultative process, Darul Khier developed different sets of literacy materials approved by the relevant mandated bodies to vet all teaching and learning materials at the primary level. Our program is tailor-made to serve adult women expressing a desire for Arabic/Islamic education and youths and children who desire to learn Islam. As noted earlier, the program has been designed in a way that integrates the formal education modules.
This program is a transformative initiative that aims to empower women by providing them with comprehensive knowledge and understanding of Arabic and Islamic studies. Through this program, women have the opportunity to deepen their understanding of the Arabic language, enabling them to engage with Islamic texts and teachings more effectively. The program offers a holistic approach to learning, covering a wide range of subjects such as Quranic studies, Hadith, Fiqh (jurisprudence), and Islamic history. By equipping women with a strong foundation in Arabic and Islamic knowledge, the program not only enhances their spiritual growth but also enables them to become active contributors to their families and communities, promoting positive values, and fostering a deeper connection with their faith.
Mwamko Wa Jinsia (Gender Awakening)
This initiative 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. By fostering economic self-reliance and empowerment, the program not only helps individuals improve their own lives but also contributes to the overall socioeconomic development of the Mukuru Slums.
The Objectives of this initiative are; To equip community participants with relevant vocational (tailoring) skills; To prepare the community participants for the work world with entrepreneurial skills for both employment and self-employment; and To prepare community participants with basic skills that they shall use for nation building. Through this initiative, community participants learn; Tailoring practices, Safety and health hazards observed in tailoring, identifying and using different types of tailoring tools, how to use a sewing machine, and how to use different materials and textiles. With a focus on fostering resilience, fostering local innovation, and promoting inclusive growth, the Darul Kheir Economic Empowerment Program plays a vital role in creating opportunities for economic advancement, reducing dependency, and building a foundation for a brighter future for the residents of the Mukuru Slums.
Talents Mentorship & Skills Management
This program leverages the power of football as a sport to empower individuals in the community. Recognizing the universal appeal and positive impact of football, 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.
Through regular training sessions, friendly matches, and tournaments, individuals improve their technical abilities on the pitch and gain valuable insights into the values of fairness, respect, and sportsmanship. The Talents and Skills Program harnesses the passion for football to promote personal growth, community cohesion, and social integration, fostering an environment where participants can realize their potential, build meaningful relationships, and positively contribute to their lives and the wider society.
Optimizing and exposing limitless talents and endless skills from vulnerable teenagers with optimal chances and networks
We believe that initiating community sporting programs that integrate sport and life skills training for the socio-economically underserved lot will go a long way in helping us achieve our mission. This year, we have enrolled 60 Boys and 45 Girls in the Darul Football Academy.
Previously, we enrolled young, talented boys in other Football clubs in Mukuru Slums, such as the South B Football Academy and SUSA- Fuata Nyayo. The Girls also get to do beadwork and Mat-making artistry. Since running this program, we have observed how talent orients and empowers young people into leadership roles, responsible and healthy living, rational thinking, and good citizenship.
Mazingira Sustavi (Environment Sustainability)
Climate change and environmental sustainability are some of the aspects deemed to be very critical in our course of advancing our mission at the community level. We advocate for such a crucial undertaking through "Urban GreenWave,"- a pioneering climate change advocacy program initiated by Darul Kheir. Urban GreenWave addresses the pressing climate change challenges faced in urban areas, particularly in informal settlements. It aims to create a wave of awareness, adaptation, and action towards a more sustainable future.
We believe that understanding is the first step towards change. We provide education and awareness about the impacts of climate change, particularly in urban settings, and the importance of sustainable practices. We advocate for activities that promote adaptation to climate change. This includes initiatives such as urban gardening, rainwater harvesting, and waste management, which help adapt to climate change and improve the quality of life in informal settlements.
We encourage community members to take action toward mitigating climate change. This involves organizing tree-planting drives, clean-up campaigns, and energy conservation initiatives. Through Urban GreenWave, we aim to create a ripple effect of positive environmental change, improving the urban climate and contributing to the overall well-being of our community. We look forward to riding this wave of change together with our community.
Monthly Rashin Initiative Program
This is a compassionate and impactful initiative aimed at addressing the basic needs of the most vulnerable families in the community. Recognizing the challenges faced by these families in meeting their essential requirements, such as food, shelter, and healthcare, the program provides regular monthly assistance to alleviate their hardship.
By offering a reliable source of support, the program ensures that vulnerable families have access to nutritious meals, improved living conditions, and essential healthcare services. Through this program, Darul Kheir is committed to uplifting marginalized communities, promoting social justice, and supporting those most in need.
The Monthly Rashin for Most Vulnerable Families program provides support and hope, empowering families to overcome their hardships and work towards a brighter future. Most parents in our madrassa are casual workers at the Companies within industrial areas that neighbor Mukuru Slums. Some mothers are domestic workers within South B and South C.
This makes it difficult to make ends meet and sometimes difficult to put food on the table for our students. To this effect, we distribute Food Rashin to at least 300 Families monthly. The food program is essential to keep the students in Madrassa. The students get two meals on a good day, which includes (Breakfast and Lunch) but most of the time, they have lunch only.
Iftar Program
During the holy month of Ramadan, Darul Kheir's Iftar Program is designed to provide essential support to communities by offering a comprehensive package of food rations delivered directly to their homes. By understanding the significance of Iftar (the breaking of the fast), Darul Kheir recognizes the importance of ensuring that individuals and families have access to nutritious meals during this blessed month. Through the Iftar Program, the Darul Kheir Community Center aims to alleviate hunger and promote unity and solidarity within the community.
By delivering food rations directly to people's homes, we ensure that individuals and families have the necessary sustenance to break their fast. Still, we also bring a sense of joy and relief to households — they get to observe the sacred month with dignity and peace of mind. With generous donors' support and dedicated volunteers, our Iftar Program continues to make a positive impact by nourishing bodies, fostering a spirit of togetherness, and spreading blessings to the community.
Eid Festival
This is an annual celebration aimed at fostering joy, unity, and community spirit during the festive occasion of Eid. This program brings together people from diverse backgrounds, including residents of the Mukuru slums and surrounding areas, to partake in a range of engaging activities. The Eid Festival Program offers a vibrant mix of cultural performances, traditional music, delicious food, and exciting games for people of all ages to enjoy. With the Darul Eid Cup Football Tournament taking center stage, the festival also showcases the talent and passion of local football teams competing for glory.
Through this program, Darul Kheir aims to create an atmosphere of celebration and happiness, promoting social cohesion, strengthening community bonds, and spreading the spirit of Eid throughout the region. Ultimately, the program offers a memorable experience for participants and serves as a platform to raise awareness about critical social issues and promote unity and understanding among diverse communities.
Prison Dawaah
Prison Dawaah is a unique program that brings Islamic Studies to Langata Women’s Prison inmates in Nairobi. Of course, everyone should have access to religious education regardless of their circumstances. This program allows inmates to learn about Islam and offers guidance and counseling sessions, fostering personal growth and spiritual development. In addition to the educational aspect, Prison Dawaah includes a monthly donation initiative. These donations aim to improve the inmates' living conditions and provide them with the necessary resources to lead a dignified life.
Our vision for Prison Dawaah is not limited to Langata Women’s Prison. We are keen on expanding this program to cover significant prisons nationwide. By doing so, we hope to reach out to a larger audience and significantly impact the lives of those in incarceration. We invite you to join us in this noble cause. Your support can help us bring about a positive change in the lives of many. Together, we can make a difference.
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