Uweza is the Swahili word for opportunity and opportunity. Uweza Aid Foundation fights the cycle of poverty that persists in Kenya's Kibera slum. We nurture and build upon the already existing capabilities and resourcefulness of Kenyans through community-based empowerment programs. All of our projects are developed and/or run by Kenyans, primarily residents of Kibera who are dedicated to the betterment of their community.

Uweza is a 501(c)(3) organization registered in the State of Illinois. Although many of our projects have been in existence since as early as 2007, Uweza officially began work in Kibera in 2008 in response to the need for emergency relief efforts during the crisis that followed the 2007 presidential election. We have since expanded and current projects include an after-school program, soccer club, school sponsorships, and a counseling initiative for at-risk and troubled youth.

Uweza was created because we observed the resiliency and ingenuity of Kenyans working to better their communities, even without any external assistance. By providing community members the resources to implement their own ideas, we believe that the impact of our work will be sustainable and valued by those reached. Our projects that develop talent, build life skills, and improve emotional and mental well-being are an investment, rather than a handout. In June 2011, we celebrated the launch of our new Community Center in Kibera. The center will serve as our new offices and will provide a safe space for community members to meet and for children to engage in productive extracurricular activities, explore their talents and interests, and develop holistically.

Uweza by the numbers: