In the heart of Kibera, a settlement known for its strong community spirit, a group of women is proving that meaningful change starts from within. Known as Community Mappers, this women-led group is building solutions rooted in savings, data, and collective action.
Community Mappers is made up of young single mothers from different parts of Kibera who came together with a shared goal: to strengthen their community through financial inclusion and information gathering. Since its inception during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2022, the group has conducted several research projects, including the Trash Study Research, Partimap, Onekana Project (urban heat survey), and Flood Modelling through Photo Stories, among others.
The group was formed to ensure that women’s voices and experiences are reflected in how their settlements are planned and developed. As part of Muungano wa Wanavijiji, a movement that mobilizes communities through savings and advocacy, the Community Mappers have embraced savings as a key part of their work.
Community Mappers run a community savings scheme where members contribute small amounts regularly. These funds are used to support one another in times of need, such as paying school fees or starting small businesses. Through this, members are gradually gaining financial stability and a sense of collective security for themselves and their children.
Through data collection, the Community Mappers have identified a great need to recycle textiles, a project funded by SDI-Kenya/Muungano wa Wanavijiji through the Next Level Grant Facility. This data was collected via WhatsApp, and they later created a ChatMap.
https://umap.hotosm.org/pt-br/map/fashion-and-climate_1961
This project is ongoing
Through meetings, dialogues, and training sessions, the women continue to build their skills and confidence. They use their voices to advocate for inclusive and sustainable development in their neighborhoods.
Community Mappers demonstrate the power of local women to drive transformation from the ground up. Their approach blends practical action through savings with evidence-based advocacy through data. The result is a stronger, more informed community that can speak for itself in planning discussions and development processes.
In a place where decisions are often made without local input, these women are changing the narrative by ensuring that development reflects the realities and priorities of the people who live there.
The group continues to grow and inspire others. They aim to expand their membership, deepen their data work, and strengthen their savings network to reach more families in Kibera. With continued collaboration and community trust, Community Mappers are paving the way for a more inclusive and resilient future.
Community Mappers is more than a women’s group; it is a movement of empowerment, unity, and action. Through savings, data, and collaboration with partners like Muungano wa Wanavijiji and SDI Kenya, these women are turning everyday challenges into opportunities for lasting change in Kibera.
In her interview, Nicera Wanjiru shares the impactful stories of two young residents from Kibera informal settlement, Vivian Vushele and Charles Gicura, as they reflect on how the Covid-19 pandemic has transformed their lives. Both faced significant challenges: Vivian experienced her parents' separation, while Charles had to pivot from a career in hospitality due to the industry's collapse. Their narratives highlight the emotional and economic upheaval that many young people endured during this unprecedented time.
In this piece, Jacob Omondi, Jackline Waithaka, and Jane Wairutu discuss the profound impact of COVID-19 on youth in informal settlements like Mathare, Nairobi. The pandemic has exacerbated job losses and financial instability, particularly affecting those in the informal economic sector, where many young people rely on daily earnings from their businesses.
In Loitoktok, Kajiado County, a women’s group is transforming lives through resilience and innovation. With support from the Next Level Grant Facility under Voices for Just Climate Action, they’ve expanded urban farming and beekeeping, proving the power of collective action in climate adaptation and economic empowerment.
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