Jael Wendo

Worldwide, over a billion people live in slums. If nothing is done to address the growing "urbanization of poverty", the number of worldwide dwellers is projected to rise to about 3 billion by 2050 (UN Habitat). Life in slums is defined by a lack of basic water, sanitation, and energy infrastructure. These conditions fuel rampant social and health problems and accelerate the vicious cycle of extreme poverty. We are pioneering a new model for integrated service delivery, a single platform combining the services and supports needed to thrive. Human Needs Project built and operates its pilot project, an 8,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art facility, the Kibera Town Centre, in Kibera, the largest slum in Africa. The center was designed, built, and is driven by green infrastructure, with sustainable and renewable energy at its core. KTC features a sophisticated water filtration system and a proprietary waste treatment system, including a well with a 20,000-liter per hour generation capacity, supported by a 35kW grid-tied solar-battery system. KTC offers basic needs services such as clean water, dignified toilets and showers, laundry, and food, as well as empowerment opportunities such as digital education, vocational training, and career development in music, photography, and arts. Kibera Town Centre is managed and run entirely by Kiberans who continuously ensure that we only offer services and products demanded by the local community. Before designing and constructing KTC, HNP spent four years engaging community leadership and residents in a multi-faceted needs assessment to foster community ownership. Tackling the problem of poverty from all angles, our solution creates a real path out of poverty. Join us on our journey of empowering individuals living in slums to realize their full potential by providing them with the essential infrastructure and services they need to succeed!