Our objectives
Chaffinch was originally founded in 2014 to support a pre-existing community project in the Kibera slum of Nairobi, Kenya - "Future Stars Development Centre". Our objectives now extend to include support of other locally run projects and initiatives. The vision is to provide the opportunities children need to build a better future for themselves. This is about 'assistance' and not 'saving' and involves providing access to education, an adequate diet, provision for healthcare needs, and ensuring children are kept safe from harm.
We provide funding and support to enable local staff and volunteers to utilise their skills and deliver services to vulnerable children and young people of Kibera. We acknowledge the importance of local projects being led and run by local staff. The mission of Chaffinch is to help locally run projects to become sustainable and no longer in need of further financial input from Chaffinch or other international bodies.
Without Chaffinch, these locally run projects are unable to provide even basic services to an acceptable standard due to a lack of funds and assistance to plan and deliver such services. However, the passion and commitment of those working at the project is inspirational.
Our activities
Chaffinch fundraises to provide funding to locally run projects in the Kibera slum of Nairobi, and also runs a Child Sponsorship Programme. In addition, we accept various donated items that can be used in Kenya such as books and clothing. We help to guide the development of our partner projects by sharing knowledge and skills and making decisions about the best use of Chaffinch funds.
The assistance provided by Chaffinch allows these projects to provide a completely free primary education to over 250 children who would otherwise be unable to access education. In addition, children and young people registered at these projects are eligible for a feeding programme that works to reduce the impact of poverty on rates of malnutrition and developmental problems in children. Essential medical care is also funded, which has recently included treatment for malaria, hospitalisation and surgery following facial burns to a 3-year-old, parasite eradication, and various minor injury treatment.
The Future Stars project also works to support children and young people who find themselves without a safe place to live. This includes the recently orphaned, street children ready to return to a structured environment, abandoned children, and those at risk of abuse, neglect, or exploitation. Efforts are made to find family members within Kenya who are able to care for the children, whilst providing a safe home at the centre during this process. Chaffinch provides support with this accommodation and with basic needs of the children and young people.
Chaffinch has also successfully supported the construction of a permanent building to house the resident children and the pre-school at Future Stars plus providing spaces for the use of the local community. In addition, we have provided the Bornstar Children's Centre with rooms of their own so they no longer need to pay rent, immediately making the project more sustainable.
