Objective: Using technology to advance transformative change related to girls, women’s and trans people’s human rights National

GROOTS Kenya continues to reach out to Orphans and Vulnerable children in Ndeiya, Mathare and Kibera to facilitate an environment where they can achieve their dreams and live better lives.

In Ndeiya, GROOTS Kenya is working with 29 caregivers and a team of 22 community leaders (child protection committee) to support 178 OVCs i.e. 38 Total Orphans, 35 vulnerable children and 105 with single absentee parents, from 40 vulnerable households. 80% of these households are headed by elderly grandmothers with an average age of 70 years. The children were put under their maternal grandmothers after they lost both or one of their parents due to HIV and AIDS and family conflicts.

The children have received various kinds of support including full scholarships, leadership training and counselling services. Some of the children are now running their own businesses after receiving start up capital to set up income generating activities such as hairdressing salons.

GROOTS Kenya has for over 10 years worked with grassroots women in various communities to curb asset stripping and disinheritance with specific emphasis on matrimonial property.

For most low income households, matrimonial land is not only the main source of livelihood but it also provides the invaluable sense of security and identity. Yet, some retrogressive social and cultural practices such as asset stripping and disinheritance often deny them access to and use of matrimonial land thus subjecting them to abject poverty and destitution after the death of their husbands in the hands of male relatives. GROOTS Kenya’s interventions have achieved great success through the Community Watchdog Groups (WDGs) model. The Community Land and Watchdog Groups, formed in 2004 are composed of grassroots women, men, opinion leaders, local provincial administrators and church elders. The groups have played an important role in halting disinheritance of widows & orphans in Kiambu County. Through arbitration, the groups have enhanced access to justice for the poor at grassroots levels. Through GROOTS Kenya partnership with European Union, UN Women, Huaroiu Commission widows have regained access & control of their matrimonial homes which would often be taken away by unruly in-laws. Many orphans have remained in school and at their parental homes after being deceased