Kianda Foundation is dedicated to transforming lives by promoting the education and professional development of girls and women in Kenya, fostering leadership, dignity, and lifelong impact. Photo courtesy of Kianda Foundation
For over six decades, the Kianda Foundation has stood as a pioneering force in Kenya, dedicated to empowering women and girls through transformative education and comprehensive community development.
The foundation was established in 1961 by four visionary women – Olga Marlin (USA), Mary Mahoney (USA), Margaret Curran (Ireland), and Teresa Temes (Spain).
The Foundation embarked on a mission to ensure equal access to quality education for Kenyan women, a stark necessity in a racially segregated colonial era.
The name “Kianda,” meaning “fertile valley,” was aptly suggested by Mrs. Jemimah Gecaga, a member of the Legislative Council, symbolizing the blossoming potential the Foundation sought to cultivate.
From its humble beginnings, Kianda Foundation has grown into a multifaceted organization, adapting to the evolving needs of Kenyan women and leaving an indelible mark on countless lives and communities.
A Legacy Forged in Education
The cornerstone of Kianda Foundation’s work has always been education.
Its inaugural project, Kianda Secretarial College, opened its doors in Nairobi in 1961.
This groundbreaking institution offered training in secretarial and business studies, a unique offering at the time, setting a precedent for professional education for women.
Evelyn Eldon, one of the first African students of Kianda Secretarial College, later became a notable entrepreneur, author, and philanthropist, a testament to the foundational impact of the institution.
Following the success of Kianda College, the Foundation continued to expand its educational footprint.
In 1967, Kibondeni College emerged as Kenya’s first women’s hospitality college, further diversifying the professional opportunities available to women.
A decade later, in 1977, Kianda School was established.
Today, this top-tier primary school in Muthaiga, Nairobi, is renowned for its world-class education, focusing on academic excellence, character formation, and social responsibility.
Its alumni have risen to key management and civic positions both in Kenya and internationally, showcasing the enduring influence of a Kianda education.
Beyond Nairobi, Kianda Foundation extended its reach to other regions, establishing institutions like Kimlea Girls Technical Training in Kiambu.
This center has been instrumental in rescuing hundreds of girls from child labor prevalent in coffee plantations, providing them with vital skills and a pathway to a better future.
Tewa Technical Training Centre in Kilifi County and other educational centers in Nyeri and Kisumu further demonstrate the Foundation’s commitment to promoting formal and technical education across diverse communities.
Holistic Empowerment Through Diverse Programs
Kianda Foundation’s impact extends far beyond traditional schooling, encompassing a range of community outreach and healthcare programs that address the holistic well-being of women and their families.
Fanikisha Business Women Support Program: This flagship initiative empowers women entrepreneurs by providing essential business skills training, business plan development, and culinary skills.
The program includes vital mentoring, counseling, and support groups, fostering a community where women uplift each other.
The Mwangaza project, a three-year initiative under Fanikisha, successfully aimed to empower 800 marginalized women, with 81% of participants experiencing an increase in income, and 30% doubling or more than doubling their income.
Stories like Rosemary’s, who transformed her struggling business into a profitable venture after learning financial management and catering techniques through Fanikisha, exemplify the program’s tangible impact.
Kianda Incubation Centre: Launched recently, this transformative space nurtures women passionate about initiating or strengthening social initiatives in their communities.
It’s a 12-week evening course, “The Social Project Toolkit,” equips participants with practical skills in project design, fundraising, impact measurement, and storytelling for change, fostering a new generation of female changemakers.
Children’s Health Program (CHEP) & Kimlea Clinic: Recognizing that good health is fundamental to learning and overall well-being, Kianda Foundation runs robust community healthcare programs.
Through Kimlea Clinic and CHEP, essential medical care is provided directly in schools, especially for families who cannot afford regular healthcare.
Services include annual health check-ups, deworming, vitamin supplementation, food support for malnourished children, and necessary treatment and diagnostic tests.
CHEP has supported over 3,299 children across several schools, changing lives by ensuring access to quality healthcare.
The story of Patricia, a student at Limuru Mission Primary School who underwent corrective surgery for a long-untreated injury thanks to CHEP’s intervention, highlights the critical difference these programs make.
Hygiene Programs: Complementing its health initiatives, the Foundation also conducts hygiene programs for primary school children, emphasizing the importance of cleanliness and its direct link to health and academic performance.
Nurisha Trust: Established in 1999 under the Kianda Foundation, Nurisha Trust focuses specifically on vocational training programs in hospitality.
These programs provide specialized training and mentorship, equipping women and girls with skills for employment and positive community contribution.
A Model of Sustainability and Partnership
Kianda Foundation’s enduring success is underpinned by its commitment to sustainability and strong partnerships.
The Foundation operates with a lean staff, maximizing its impact through the invaluable contributions of skilled volunteers.
This approach allows more resources to be directed towards programs, ensuring lasting change.
Moreover, Kianda Foundation collaborates with a diverse network of partners, including organizations like WONDER Foundation and Safaricom Foundation, which have contributed significantly to projects such as the Tewa Training Centre Outreach Project.
The recent global fundraising efforts led by Levisky Legado, aiming to generate $25 million over five years, further demonstrate the international recognition and support for Kianda Foundation’s vital work.
Looking Ahead: Continuous Transformation
As Kianda Foundation marked its 60th anniversary in 2021 and continues its journey, its focus remains on strengthening existing institutions and programs to benefit even more individuals.
The Foundation’s unwavering conviction that women are key to social development, rooted in its Christian values, continues to guide its endeavors.
By investing in the education, health, and economic empowerment of women and girls, Kianda Foundation is not just changing individual lives; it is shaping a brighter, more equitable future for Kenya.
The belief that “When you educate a woman, the whole nation benefits” remains the driving force behind this remarkable organization’s enduring legacy.
