AVSI’s presence in Kenya began in 1986 as an invitation from Cardinal Maurice Otunga to build a technical school to provide hands-on skills to unemployed youths within Nairobi, especially those from poor families. AVSI has been committed in Kenya to promote the development of local communities, working with the poorest sections of the population. To this end, in partnership with the founding members, Avsi focuses on education and training in Kibera and in other major slums of Kenya.

AVSI has also been working in Dadaab since 2009 to serve the refugees and host communities in the sector of education and child protection. AVSI works mainly with hildren, women and girls, persons with disabilities, civil society organizations, community and faith based organizations, private sector and government. AVSI also is part of higher technical working groups that advocate for quality and standards which include Education In Emergency National Working group (EIE), United National Refugee Protection Network (UNRP) and Refugee Education Cluster working group.

Avsi promote quality education supporting some schools. The first was St. Kizito Vocational Training Institute built in 1994 which offers every year 750 boy and girls the opportunity to obtain professional qualifications. The school works alongside 30 local businesses to provide training with businesses, internships and job placements. AVSI built and keep on supporting Little Prince Primary School in Kibera that welcomes 350 children; Cardinal Otunga Secondary School with 120 students in Kahawa Sukari and San Riccardo Pampuri Primary School in the village of Mutuati – Meru County with 350 children.

Currently AVSI is present in 26 Counties with a staff of 77 experienced and dedicated employees and manages annually 4.5 million USD

Main sectors

Education and child protection

• Supporting children with access to quality education.
• Provision of books, school fees, uniforms, shoes and scholastic materials to children. Rehabilitation of schools and construction of new ones. Training of teachers to enhance quality of education
• Supporting adult literacy
• Distance support program: AVSI is supporting more than 2900 children working with 8 educators and in partnership with 16 local organizations who are responsible for direct implementation of the program in their communities.

Migration and integration

AVSI has been working in Dadaab since 2009 to serve the refugees and host communities in the area of education. Reducing cases of extreme poverty and vulnerability for Adolescent Girls and Young Women in informal urban refugee settlements in Nairobi

Climate change, energy and environment

• Equipping primary schools with biogas plants.
• Providing solar energy for primary schools in Dadaab.

Vocational training, human capital and job creation

• Core Business and life skills trainings in conjunction with the Ministry of Public works and with funds by the World Bank.
• Promotion of village savings and loan associations
• Provision of training and intership opportunities to youths in partnership with companies.

Agriculture, food security and nutrition

AVSI implements programs that ensure adequate nutrition, particularly for the most vulnerable and those who suffer from a compromised immune system due to HIV/AIDS, or are facing starvation as a result of food scarcity induced by poor and unfavorable weather conditions. Projects undertaken in an effort to increase food security include food support, nutrition education, training of mothers in breast feeding practices, providing children below 5 years with supplementary feeding, small scale irrigation, water supply for animals and domestic use, training on kitchen gardens, distribution of dairy cows, goats and seed banks.

Healthcare

AVSI values the linkage of orphans and vulnerable children to health services. Agreements have been made with hospitals and dispensaries that are able to give essential services free of charge. At the same time campaigns are carried out in conjunction with NHIF (National Hospital Insurance Fund) to encourage care givers to enroll in order to improve their knowledge of this important service. Communities are informed on various health issues hence make prevention possible, such as medical check-ups, de-worming and vitamin A campaigns, HIV/AIDS Prevention, rehabilitation of toilets, supporting households with water tanks and sensitizations on water and sanitation.

Human rights and democracy

Provision of psychosocial support and sensitization on Child Protection and Human Rights. Creation of children rights clubs and trainings of caregivers on parenting skills. Supporting orphans and vulnerable children to acquire birth certificates and access child friendly centers.

Avsi Kenya

Nairobi HQ Office
St. Kizito Building Off Thika Rd, Exit 8
Nairobi, Kenya
Tel: + 254 721 537 657
nairobi@avsi.org

Dadaab Office
UNHCR DMO Dadaab sub county, Garissa County
Dadaab, Kenya
Tel: + 254 742 171 999

Otiende Office
Sister of Adoration of the blessed sacrament Center, KENYA POLICE DOG UNIT ROAD 18A
Otiende, Kenya
Tel: +254 707 861 619

Little Prince office
Little Prince Primary School - Fort Jesus Kibra
Nairobi,Kenya
Tel: + 254 729 786 335

Meru Office
Off Makutano Road, Ronogone Parish
Maru, Kenya
Tel: + 254 721 867 929