One of our overarching aims as a charity is to promote and encourage projects in Kibera that are sustainable locally and don't require ongoing input (financial or otherwise) from the UK. Although there are a few exceptions, our Washrooms project is a case in point, where capital investment in the building now provides latrines and showers for the local community. In line with other sanitation services in the slum, there is a small fee for their use, which covers the employment of a caretaker, utility charges and the cost of maintenance and repairs. Opened in June 2022, it is demonstrating its sustainability, and aims to continue to generate savings to invest in further development.
Toward the end of 2024, with a loan from the Micro Enterprise Fund, initial stock was purchased to operate a shop from the Washroom office. The office is an ideal secure space with a window to the courtyard through which items can be sold. Operated by Madam Loice, the washroom's daily caretaker, the aim was to return a small profit that could be invested in future community projects, as well as provide another service to the local community.
Happily, in March 2025 another washroom milestone was reached. The shop finished paying back its loan for the initial set-up, and with existing stock still to sell and an established local customer base, the shop is now self-sufficient. This is good news for the shop's future, but perhaps more importantly, serves as a demonstration to local budding entrepreneurs that sustainable small businesses can be achieved with relatively low initial investment.
We're grateful for all the varied support we receive, and in the context of promoting sustainable businesses in Kibera, we're grateful to Etch UK for providing business technical and financial support.
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