ACTIVITIES

Taka ni Pato (TNP) promotes a mission of building capacity for effective, community-run solid waste management systems in select Nairobi slums. Funded by the Ford Foundation’s East Africa Environmental Program since 2004, TNP is a collaborative program between CFK and three other NGOs in Nairobi. CFK conducted an initial waste enumeration survey to determine the proportion of each type of waste found in their respective areas. TNP identified and worked with six local youth groups in Kibera, comprised largely of unemployed young men and women. The youth groups attended educational workshops on garbage collection and recycling; a number of team-building exercises; and leadership and financial management workshops. CFK then provided basic cleaning materials to each group (i.e. rakes, shovels, spades, and gloves) and helped establish four collection centers in Kibera.

TNP creates jobs for several youth groups who collect trash from homes in the community, recycling and composting what they can, and combining trash heaps for reusable materials to make crafts. TNP trained six youth groups consisting of up to sixty members each on how to generate income by collecting trash, sorting, and selling recyclables products. Over time the efficiency of these groups continues to increase, as do their business skills. Over 2,000 tons of garbage and waste were removed from Kibera by TNP in 2006. Sixty-seven youth are currently active participants in TNP, and since its inception, nearly 200 youth have been involved.