As we approach the end of 2023, The Action Foundation team would like to take a moment to express our sincerest gratitude for your support. Your generosity, commitment, and belief in our mission have enabled us to continue our efforts towards creating real and lasting change in inclusive early childhood care and education and the empowerment of adolescent girls and young women with disabilities in Kenya.

Thanks to our partners and supporters, we have been able to expand the reach and depth of our programs. As we mark our 13th Year of Impact, we recognize that without you, we would not have been able to achieve all that we have since our inception. We are proud of the impact that we have made together, but we also know that there is still much work to be done. In the coming year, we will continue to expand our efforts and innovate to meet the changing needs of the children, adolescent girls, and women we support.

Warmest regards,

The Action Foundation Team

The Inaugural African Summit on Inclusive Early Childhood Care and Education

On July 22nd, 2023, history was made as the Inaugural Africa Summit on Inclusive Early Childhood Care and Education took place in KISE. Organized by the Africa Disability Collaboration and hosted by The Action Foundation, the summit aimed to promote an inclusive Africa for children with disabilities.

Themed "Nurturing Care and Opportunities for Early Learning for Children with Disabilities", the summit was a milestone, gathering 450 delegates from seven countries in person and more than 200 virtual participants.

Throughout the event, experts exchanged insights, experiences, and innovative solutions for supporting young children with disabilities to thrive. The sessions served as a platform for networking, collaboration, and a deeper understanding of inclusive early childhood care and education. We are grateful to the Tawingo Fund, Arthur B Schultz Foundation, Segal Family Foundation, Imago Dei Fund, and CRI Foundation for the generous support that brought the event to life.

The First African Summit on Inclusive Early Childhood Care and Education Video

Maria Omare Named Among 25 Visionaries to Watch by Michelle Obama

We're thrilled to announce that our Founder and Executive Director, Maria Omare, has been nominated by Michelle Obama for Red Magazine UK's list of '25 Visionaries to Watch'. This prestigious nomination celebrates Maria's dedication to creating a world where children with disabilities in Africa get a fair chance at realizing their potential. Maria Omare stands out as a pillar of hope and transformation through her relentless efforts in disability inclusion advocacy. In celebrating Maria's nomination, we're reminded of the significant global impact a single individual can bring. Her vision, passion, and enduring dedication to inclusivity are a beacon of inspiration to us all.

Change Maker Award for our Work in Mathare Slum

We were named the "Change Maker (Special Groups) of the Year 2023" by the Ghetto Foundation in Mathare Slum. This award reflects the impactful strides we have made toward enhancing the lives of children with disabilities in the community.

This recognition reminds us all that unwavering dedication and collective effort can enact meaningful change in the lives of those most in need. It isn't just an accolade we're proud of, it also represents the tireless efforts, passion, and commitment demonstrated by every individual contributing at our therapy center in Mathare.

Co-Impact Partnership with TAF

Thrilled to celebrate our Partnership with the Co-Impact Gender Fund! This Partnership emerges from a shared vision of change with The Action Foundation, which is committed to driving positive change in the lives of children with disabilities and their caregivers. We hosted Co-Impact's CEO, Olivia Leland, and Board Chair, Tsitsi Masiyiwa, Director of Programs - Africa , Mary Wandia Wanjiru, and their amazing team at The Action Foundation Hub, Workshop, and a partner government health facility in Kibera.

Unpaid care work compounded by having a CWD reduces the likelihood of income, limiting caregivers’ agency to make decisions about the care and education of their children. This is compounded by the negative impact on their mental and physical health due to fatigue, distress, and isolation. This problem persists due to the lack of accessibility to health care services, information, and institutions and the high cost of health interventions such as CWD assessments, therapy, and medication.

With this Partnership, we will focus on critical areas to create sustainable and transformative systemic change in healthcare access for children with disabilities.

Ending Violence and Sexual Violence Against Girls with and Without Disabilities in Baba Dogo Informal Settlement

We are extremely delighted to have launched our Children's Rights and Violence Prevention Fund (CRVPF) funded project on preventing violence and sexual violence against girls with and without disabilities in Baba Dogo Informal Settlement. Together with INUA KIKE , Child Space Organization and Bliss Organization, we will build the girls' agency and enable secure and enabling environments at their homes, schools and larger community.

Amplifying the Voices of Caregivers of Children with Disabilities

To celebrate, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, The Action Foundation acknowledges the incredible efforts and dedication of caregivers of children with disabilities. This year’s theme, "United in action to rescue and achieve the SDGs for, with, and by persons with disabilities," emphasizes the importance of collective efforts in promoting the rights and well-being of individuals with disabilities. In line with this, we supported the involvement of caregivers from our centers in Nairobi in the Public Participation in the amendment of the Nairobi City County Persons with Disability Bill. Through public participation, caregivers from our centers in Nairobi and other stakeholders are shaping policies and regulations to create a more inclusive environment for persons with disabilities. To crown the IDPWD celebrations, caregivers from The Action Foundation also participated in the Nairobi City County Celebrations and a community-based advocacy event in Kibera.

Girls with Disabilities Shine in STEM

We believe that equipping adolescent girls with disabilities with technological skills and providing them with coaching and soft skills unlocks their potential to enter and thrive in the digital economy. Our team held digital skills training sessions for 30 adolescent girls with disabilities in Kibera with the support of mentors from the community. Our #IbukaGirlsInSTEM project organized after-school boot camps for 2753 girls with disabilities covering digital literacy, creative coding, robotics, and mobile application development.

During the Teen Innovation Week, Michelle, a mentee in our Ibuka Program, spoke in a panel on the role technology and Artificial intelligence play in the inclusion of girls and young women with disabilities.

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