Kar Geno, meaning “Center for Hope,” is a community-based organization located on the lush banks of Lake Victoria, next to the beautiful Winam Gulf in Kisumu, Western Kenya. With a core focus on restoring lost hope and empowering marginalized communities, Kar Geno has dedicated itself to the healing and rebuilding process for those severely affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic. The HIV epidemic has had a profound impact on the communities in this region, leaving many families vulnerable and struggling to recover from its devastating effects. In response, Kar Geno’s primary objective is to restore hope to those who have been left behind or forgotten, particularly women and children who have been disproportionately affected by the crisis. The organization seeks to provide a path to resilience by addressing the socioeconomic needs of these individuals, offering support and resources to help them regain stability and dignity.

At the heart of Kar Geno’s mission is the socioeconomic empowerment of women. The organization focuses on equipping women with the skills, knowledge, and resources needed to build sustainable livelihoods, access healthcare, and foster community leadership. In doing so, Kar Geno helps women take charge of their futures, while simultaneously addressing the broader challenges of poverty, health, education, and environmental conservation in the region. Through its programs, Kar Geno is not just restoring hope—it is also building lasting change. By fostering collaboration among community members, local leaders, and regional stakeholders, Kar Geno continues to create opportunities for marginalized groups to flourish, ensuring that no one is left behind in the journey toward healing and development in Western Kenya.�

The well-being of our people comes first and foremost. We invite all members of the community to get involved.  The work we do benefits individuals, the organization, and our community as a whole. Our members consist of both women and men from the local villages as well as their children, who participate in the children’s programs.

Sadly, the effects of HIV/AIDS are felt all over the country and Western Kenya is no exception. In this Luo tribal region, funerals are communal. When someone dies, the community takes care of both the funeral expenses and the burial arrangements. Each and every community member mobilizes resources to honour the departed and their family. Because of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, there have been an unprecedented amount of deaths in the community in the last two decades. This was a wake up call to us all to start working on prevention and education in order to stop further spread of this epidemic.

We find that women are especially keen and motivated members, as very often they are widowed, single mothers or they have inherited responsibility for their siblings’ orphaned children and struggle to provide for them financially. Because women frequent health centres more often, they are able to have this killer disease diagnosed sooner. For many men, unfortunately diagnosis is often too late. Most of our programs are targeted towards disadvantaged women, who are the backbone of our local economy.�

The impact of our work is far reaching. With the help of its various projects, Kar Geno is able to involve women, men and children in developing and protecting their own well-being. Our women earn a sustainable income working in the Moringa, the Peanut Butter, Hope Designers and sustainable agriculture cooperatives. The possibility to work in this remote agricultural area provides people with the financial means to educate their children and raise them in a healthy and safe environment, which otherwise would not be possible. The Microfinance Fund provides necessary stability and reassurance, so that even in the worst of times there is a backup to traditional lending methods. Kar Geno is able to offer these women a group that bonds them together emotionally and financially.

The youth are a demographic we take special interest in serving, as they are essential to a healthier future community. We offer a Children’s Program during the weekends while school is in session and during the week when there is a holiday period. We also operate in several of the local schools, contributing to health education or counselling, and sometimes sponsoring students in-need when we are able.

Through its projects Kar Geno supports and assists the people of the community in becoming self-reliant, empowered individuals who lead healthier and more fulfilling lives.