Ustawi Programs
Current and Past Programs
Mazingira Yetu Project
Turning Environmental Hazards into Economic Engines in Kawangware, Nairobi
The Challenge
In Kawangware, Nairobi, illegal glass waste is more than an eyesore—it was a public health crisis that blocks drainage, fuels flooding, and endangers children. We don't just see a waste problem; we see a raw material for social innovation.
The Waste-to-Value Model
We are transforming hazardous glass into artisanal treasure. By fusing NEMA-licensed upcycling with green entrepreneurship, we empower local youth and women to lead. We don’t just clear the streets; we build a circular economy where waste becomes a pathway to dignity.
How We Do It
We are placing those most affected at the very center of the solution. By moving beyond symbolic participation, we ensure marginalized voices lead our design process. We don’t just offer a seat; we hand over the blueprints to build a resilient future.
Evidence and Impact
We are transforming Kawangware through social innovation. Our community-led model equips 80 young women, 50 young men, and 20 persons with disabilities to lead. By turning hazardous glass into artisanal treasure, we are clearing drainage, restoring local ecosystems, and securing a dignified, sustainable future for all.
Expected Impact
Social & Economic Impact
- Skill Acquisition: 150 beneficiaries will acquire specialized skills in climate action, environmental best practices, and gender integration.
- Green Entrepreneurship: 50 youth and women will be established as licensed glass upcyclers through partnerships with NEMA and Daystar University, creating a sustainable local income stream.
- Dignified Livelihoods: The project provides a pathway to self-employment by turning hazardous waste into valuable, saleable products like lamps and glassware.
- Radical Inclusion: Targeted engagement ensures the leadership and economic independence of 80 young women and the full integration of 20 persons with disabilities (PWDs).
Environmental & Policy Impact
- Hazard Mitigation: Removal of illegal glass waste from hotspots and drainage channels to prevent seasonal flooding and physical injuries in Kawangware Ward.
- Ecosystem Restoration: Establishment of a community tree nursery to improve neighborhood sanitation and local biodiversity.
- Policy & Advocacy: Strengthening the voice of local youth in climate policy through high-level debates with the MKU School of Law, resulting in formal policy recommendations to the County Government.
- Community Stewardship: Reaching approximately 5,000 residents who will benefit from a cleaner environment and increased awareness of circular economy practices.
By integrating technical training with legal literacy and environmental action, the project ensures that climate solutions are both sustainable and community-owned.
Breaking the Silence
Confronting Gender-Based Violence in Kenya
The Challenge
In Gachuba Ward, Nyamira, 38% of women endure physical violence, yet most suffer in silence due to stigma and systemic failure. Beyond physical scars, survivors face psychological and economic abuse normalized by patriarchal norms. We don't just see a crisis of violence; we see a breakdown in the social contract that demands an innovative, justice-led response.
Model: Community-Centered Justice
We are transforming justice delivery through high-impact Legal Aid Clinics. By fusing legal literacy with psychosocial support, we empower rural women including those with disabilities to claim their rights. In partnership with FIDA-Kenya and Kisii Innovation Lab, we’ve built an ecosystem involving elders, police, and advocates. We don’t just provide aid; we create safe, inclusive spaces where survivors lead their own healing
Social Innovation in Justice
We are bridging the gap through community-led social design. By partnering with County and National governments, we tailor justice solutions directly to rural needs. Our model fuses high-impact legal clinics with localized data collection and psychosocial support. We don’t just implement programs; we co-create reporting systems with the community to ensure every survivor is heard and protected.
Evidence and Impact
We are dismantling the culture of silence in Nyamira by replacing systemic neglect with community-led justice. Through high-impact legal clinics and multi-sectoral partnerships, we ensure that constitutional protections become lived realities for rural women. By fusing legal aid with psychosocial healing, we are not just supporting survivors; we are building a society where dignity is non-negotiable and justice is accessible.
Evidence of Impact
- Empowered 250+ citizens in Gachuba Ward with the legal literacy to claim rights regarding land, succession, and inheritance.
- Established a holistic justice ecosystem by integrating FIDA-Kenya advocates, mental health practitioners, and law enforcement (OCS) into a single referral pathway.
- Facilitated 100% confidential trauma support through GMC-led psychosocial sessions, bridging the gap between legal victory and emotional healing.
- Strengthened local accountability by training community champions and village elders to lead the anti-GBV campaign from within.
- Achieved measurable case reduction and improved reporting rates, as verified by the area OCS, turning the tide against local gender-based violence.
