If you grew up in Kenya and many other parts of Africa, there was a corner on your mum’s leso or kanga where she tied her little savings. Sometimes coins, sometimes folded notes hidden carefully, yet always counted, always watched. That little corner was more than a hiding spot. It was a symbol of hope, resourcefulness, and resilience. A recent FinAccess survey shows that women are more likely than men to use informal savings and loans, with almost 30% of women engaging in in

Is wealth reserved for the formally employed?For those with payslips, pension plans and benefits? Or can a mama mboga arranging sukuma wiki at dawn build wealth?Can the woman selling mitumba under the hot sun build wealth?Can the one frying samosas by the roadside, or delivering milk door to door, ever rise beyond survival? These are not theoretical questions for us. These are the women we meet every week through our Fanikisha trainings  at Kianda Foundation. Women with callo

Many see sixty five as an ending, we see it as the start of our golden era. As we enter this year with wisdom, experience, and maturity, our golden era begins. Sixty five years of showing up. Of believing. Of choosing women and girls again and again, even when the road ahead was uncertain. Sixty five years ago, Kianda Foundation began as a quiet act of faith. No grand stages. No loud announcements. Just a simple, courageous belief: that when you educate a woman, you change ev

True empowerment isn't about teaching women how to manage money; they already do that better than anyone. It’s about providing the tools to make that money work as hard as they do.

International Day of Education Since 1961, Kianda Foundation has placed educating women and girls at the very heart of its mission. From primary and secondary education to technical and vocational training, and from business development through our Fanikisha Program to empowering women for economic independence, we believe in education at every level as a powerful catalyst for transformation. But education is more than classrooms and certificates. At Kianda Foundation, what w

Chess is more than just a game; it is a timeless battle of minds, strategy, and foresight. The checkmate tales of chess have fascinated players and enthusiasts for centuries, weaving stories of legendary matches, brilliant moves, and the evolution of tactics. This article delves into the rich history, strategic depth, and cultural impact of chess, offering insights and practical tips for players at all levels. The Origins and Evolution of Checkmate Tales Chess originated ove

Happy New Year ! We write to you with hands that have carried many stories and hearts that have learned, again and again, how powerful hope can be. We come to you from a year that asked much of us. A year of quiet courage. Of women who showed up even when resources were thin, when fear whispered loudly, and when the path ahead was not yet clear. A year where impact did not always announce itself with applause, but grew steadily in classrooms, clinics, kitchens, and communitie

A woman and her chicken When a woman steps into her power with training, fair pay, and the freedom to make economic choices, whole communities rise with her. Women’s economic empowerment is not a niche gender issue; it is a development superpower. It fuels poverty reduction, strengthens families, accelerates climate resilience, and makes economies more productive, inclusive and just. At Kianda Foundation, we see this every day: when women are given skills, resources and oppor

True empowerment doesn’t happen in isolation; it grows stronger through partnership. At Kianda Foundation, we’ve witnessed the incredible impact that occurs when institutions open their doors and hearts to community transformation. One such partnership that shone brightly this year was with the Co-operative Bank of Kenya during the Kangemi Fanikisha Cohort . The Role of Co-operative Bank in Community Empowerment Co-operative Bank went beyond financial support; they shared wi

Fanikisha graduates dancing On a bright October morning in Kilifi, the hall at Tewa Training Centre was alive. Drums thumped, laughter rang out, and the air shimmered with the colors of hope. One hundred and fifty-eight women, dressed in red sashes and glowing smiles, had gathered for a moment many never imagined would come: their graduation day. A Journey of Resilience and Hope They came from the villages of Shariani, Mtepeni, and Msumarini, communities rich in resilience an

A girl walking to school In a quiet village in Kenya, a little girl once carried a book that wasn’t hers. She borrowed it from a friend,...

When Sarah joined the Fanikisha program in Kamirithu in September 2022, her determination was clear — but so was her struggle. Evelyn,...

Imara Girls Club in session In the quiet hills of Gatundu, in a small place called Mutunguru village, one woman’s dream is beginning to...

World Humanitarian Day Every year on August 19th , the world pauses to honor those who step forward to lift others in times of need. This...

Jewels mentorship in session When Joy first stepped into the Kianda Foundation Incubation Centre, she carried with her a fragile dream —...

Kianda Foundation's social projects cohort and their trainer At Kianda Foundation, we’ve always believed that transformation doesn't...

In the quiet corners of Nairobi’s informal settlements, in the dusty lanes of Kangemi and the sun-drenched alleys of Kawangware, there...

At Kianda Foundation, our daily mission is to educate, empower, and walk alongside women and girls from all walks of life. We understand...

Fanikisha women take part in the cookery class In a corner of Nairobi often overlooked, something extraordinary is unfolding — a quiet...

A Kibondeni Student serving at an event When Kianda Foundation was founded, it was with one dream in mind: to uplift women and girls by...