Chaffinch

Who we are

Being a part of Chaffinch means being a part of a family.  Everyone from our trustees to our volunteers and our supporters can feel a real connection to the project and we pride ourselves on retaining a very friendly and personal approach.  We are not a big corporation with many faceless staff.  With Chaffinch, everyone has a name and a personality that is extremely valued and diversity is not just a buzzword but something to be treasured.

Chaffinch was originally founded in 2014 to support a pre-existing community project in the Kibera slum of Nairobi, Kenya - "Future Stars Development Centre".  Our objectives extend to include support of other locally run projects and initiatives should this be beneficial in the future.  The vision is to provide the opportunities children need to build a better future for themselves.  This is about 'assistance' and not 'saving' and involves providing access to education, an adequate diet, provision for healthcare needs, and ensuring children are kept safe from harm.

How do we make a difference?

We provide funding and support to enable local staff and volunteers to utilise their skills and deliver services to vulnerable children and young people of Kibera.  We acknowledge the importance of local projects being led and run by local staff.  The mission of Chaffinch is to help "Future Stars" to become a sustainable project that will need no further financial input from Chaffinch or other international bodies.

Without Chaffinch, "Future Stars" is unable to provide even basic services to an acceptable standard due to a lack of funds and assistance to plan and deliver such services.  However, the passion and commitment of those working at the project is inspirational.

Chaffinch fundraises to provide funding to "Future Stars" and also runs a Child Sponsorship Programme.  In addition, we accept various donated items that can be used in Kenya such as books and clothing.  We help to guide the development of "Future Stars" by sharing knowledge and skills and making decisions about the best use of Chaffinch funds.

The assistance provided by Chaffinch allows "Future Stars" to provide a completely free primary education to over 100 children who would otherwise be unable to access education.  In addition, children and young people registered at the centre are eligible for a feeding programme that works to reduce the impact of poverty on rates of malnutrition and developmental problems in children.  Essential medical care is also funded, which has recently included treatment for malaria, hospitalisation following a hit-and-run, parasite eradication, and various minor injury treatment.

"Future Stars" also works to support children and young people who find themselves without a safe place to live.  This includes the recently orphaned, street children ready to return to a structured environment, abandoned children, and those at risk of abuse, neglect, or exploitation.  Efforts are made to find family members within Kenya who are able to care for the children, whilst providing a safe home at the centre during this process.  Chaffinch provides support with this accommodation and with basic needs of the children and young people.