The Action Foundation (TAF) Founder and Executive Director Maria Omare speaking on the importance of caregiver awareness resource and empowerment during The Inaugural Care Conference at Dagorretti Special School in Nairobi on July 2,2024 [Robert Tomno,Standard]
Caregivers are the backbone of society, and no community can stand firmly without their indispensable contributions. Despite their immense value, very little has been done to support their services.
In Kenya, millions of women and men dedicate their lives to caring for children, the elderly, and people with disabilities, often without adequate financial, emotional, or institutional support.
In Nairobi, a quiet revolution in childcare is taking place as community-led daycare centres strive to bridge the gap between parental livelihoods and the safety of their children.
Across the city’s informal settlements, caregivers battle limited resources, cramped spaces, and a lack of nutritious food, all while championing the rights of children who are too often overlooked.
These community-based initiatives are not just filling gaps left by inadequate government support; they are rewriting the narrative of childcare and protection in some of Nairobi’s most marginalised neighbourhoods.
At the forefront of this movement is Muungano Daycare in Mathare, a centre born out of necessity and community spirit. Founded by Immaculate Thambi Njambi, Muungano Daycare emerged from a self-help group established in 2007.
“We saw a need to start a daycare because most of us couldn’t afford house help. We opted to employ one of us to take care of the kids,” Immaculate recalls. Today, the daycare caters to 30 children, but the journey has been fraught with challenges.
