Building sustainable livelihoods, protecting women’s health and dignity, and creating brighter futures for families in Western Kenya.
Kar Geno – Centre for Hope is a community-based organisation in Kisumu, Western Kenya, dedicated to restoring hope and empowering women, children and marginalized communities affected by poverty, HIV/AIDS, gender inequality and social exclusion.
Our work is rooted in the belief that true empowerment goes beyond providing economic opportunities. A woman deserves not only the skills and resources to earn a living, but also the knowledge, healthcare, dignity and freedom to make informed decisions about her own body, reproductive health and future.
Through women’s livelihood programmes, entrepreneurship, sustainable agriculture, HIV-related community support, reproductive health and rights, maternal and child wellbeing, education and grassroots advocacy, we work to address the interconnected challenges affecting women and their families .
We place particular emphasis on women living with and affected by HIV, widows, single mothers, vulnerable children and rural women who face significant barriers to opportunities and essential services .
Our approach brings together two essential foundations of empowerment: economic independence and the right to health, dignity and bodily autonomy. When women are economically secure, informed about their rights, supported in their health and empowered to lead, entire communities become stronger.
We strengthen women’s ability to earn sustainable incomes and support their families through tailoring and fashion design, entrepreneurship, savings and microfinance, sustainable agriculture, food security and community-led enterprises .
Explore Livelihood Programmes →Building on our longstanding HIV-related community work, we are strengthening our focus on reproductive health education, women’s bodily autonomy, maternal and child health, HIV-related stigma reduction, reproductive justice, prevention of unsafe abortion and advocacy for respectful and accessible healthcare.
Explore Health Hub →Committed to restoring hope and building sustainable communities through empowerment and support
Comprehensive support for those affected by HIV/AIDS through counseling, healthcare, and social services
Economic opportunities through microfinance, skills training, and entrepreneurship development
Promoting organic farming and food security through training and cooperative initiatives
Ensuring access to education, nutrition, and healthcare for vulnerable children
Improving community health through medical services, education, and preventive care
Creating sustainable income-generating activities and cooperatives for community resilience
Explore our initiatives that are transforming lives and building resilient communities
Providing small loans, design, sewing, and financial training to women entrepreneurs to start and grow community-led enterprises.
Learn MoreAdvancing community health education, stigma reduction, and rights advocacy through our core development streams:
• Her Body, Her Future — reproductive autonomy, HIV justice and women’s leadership
• Healthy Mothers, Healthy Beginnings — maternal, newborn and child wellbeing
• Her Choice, Her Dignity — abortion rights, prevention of unsafe abortion and reproductive justice
Education support, feeding programs, positive youth activities, and healthcare advocacy for vulnerable children.
Learn MoreWorking with women and community groups to cultivate nutrient-rich moringa for community consumption and commercial sale.
Learn MoreGrassroots advocacy, clean water resource management, and structural community-led development initiatives.
Learn MoreTransforming lives and building sustainable communities in Western Kenya
Moments from our community programs and initiatives
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Organizations sharing our vision for community development and empowerment
Educational Exchange Partner
Our organization works closely with schools and community adult education learning centres for both primary and secondary schools. Since there is a shortage of teachers and a great need for volunteer educators to help with teaching in our schools to supplement the teaching staff, we partnered with Mathkind Global to bring educators from the USA to our local schools.
This is a ten day professional and cultural exchange programme during which Mathkind observe classroom activities, teach the students and conduct workshops for our teachers in STEM (Science Technology Engineering Mathematics).
Internship & Recruitment Partner
SID Canada helps Kar Geno to recruit qualified international students who have a specific interest in community development initiatives and want to do an internship in this field.
SID advertises the available posts, interviews the potential candidates and organises their placement with Kar Geno.
Fiscal Sponsor & Strategic Partner
Village Volunteers (VV) is a key partner organization based in Seattle, Washington, USA, and serves as the fiscal sponsor for Kar Geno. VV plays a critical role in supporting Kar Geno's mission by matching the organization with professional volunteers who bring specialized skills and expertise to the community.
In addition to facilitating volunteer placements, Village Volunteers is instrumental in helping Kar Geno secure funding for sustainable projects. Their support in fundraising has been vital to ensuring the long-term success and impact of initiatives.
Health & Empowerment Partner
Better Me Kenya is a non-governmental organization (NGO) dedicated to supporting HIV-positive children and women. The organization plays a vital role in Kar Geno's mission by partnering with us on the Hope Designers project, a women's tailoring initiative.
Better Me Kenya helps empower women by purchasing the items made through the tailoring project and marketing these products, with proceeds going towards supporting educational programs for HIV-positive children and women.
Your support can help transform lives and build sustainable communities in Western Kenya