Restoring Dignity. Creating Futures.

PICTURED: ABOVE: Mark and Julie have provided vast and varied support to KOCH, but one of the most meaningful ways their impact is felt is through the themed shirts they provided. “These shirts are more than just attire – they are a symbol of unity, belonging and shared purpose,” said the KOCH team.”

Keep On Creating Hope is transforming lives in Nairobi’s Korogocho slum through child protection and education – now strengthened by Rotary support, with Leongatha Rotarians helping turn community-led care into lasting, sustainable change.

Keep On Creating Hope (KOCH) was born in 2020 in the heart of Korogocho, one of Nairobi’s most challenging informal settlements, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. What began as a family-led emergency response quickly became a lifeline. At a time of fear, hunger and isolation, KOCH provided food, essential supplies and care to more than 1,000 families, offering not just survival, but hope.

In 2024, a deeply confronting case of child abuse within the community became a defining moment. Rather than turning away, KOCH responded with purpose, launching the Children & Youth Program to protect, nurture and empower vulnerable young people. Today, the program supports more than 450 children, providing safe spaces, mentorship, psychosocial care and access to education – often the first such support these children have ever known.

In recognition of its growing impact and accountability, KOCH was formally registered as a non-government organisation on 13 March 2025. While the organisation has grown, its heart remains unchanged: community-led, compassionate, and deeply committed to lasting change.

Rotary joins the cause

In June 2025, Mark Jones, of the Rotary Club of Leongatha, Vic, and his wife Julie were honoured to join the KOCH Board after visiting Korogocho and working closely with the team on the ground. For the previous 12 months, they had already been supporting KOCH informally with advice, funding and program development.

“In the past six months, our involvement with KOCH has created a huge amount of hope and enthusiasm,” says Mark. “KOCH is only young in the scheme of things but I can tell you that it is already growing in the level of professionalism and we are quickly reviewing programs as we carry out our on the ground community assessments and real time needs.”

One early initiative included funding educational excursions to the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in Nairobi National Park – for many children, their first experience beyond the slum. They also supplied branded KOCH t-shirts, creating a powerful sense of belonging and identity.

“For children who have rarely felt seen, this was transformational,” Mark says.

Today, the program supports more than 450 children, providing safe spaces, mentorship, psychosocial care and access to education – often the first such support these children have ever known.

During their visit in May 2025, they delivered toys for the children and coordinated 400 emergency food packages for families facing severe food insecurity.

“Since then, our support has helped provide 200 chairs, replacing the half-buried tyres children previously sat on,” Mark says.

A Christmas fundraising campaign delivering an additional 400 food packages; a Christmas celebration with food, music and entertainment – an experience many children had never imagined possible; the establishment of a Mental Health & Wellbeing Space; and high school scholarships for three students, opening doors to a future once out of reach.

“Recognising the importance of sustainability and professionalism, we made the decision – together with KOCH Founder Florence Nyambura – to cover the organisation’s administrative costs,” Mark says. “This allows key team members to receive modest remuneration, ensuring continuity, accountability and quality delivery.

“As a result, 100 per cent of public donations now go directly to programs and the people KOCH serves, not to operational overheads.”

PICTURED FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: KOCH Students and volunteers participated in the 16 days of activism in December to say No to violence. / A Christmas fundraising campaign Organised by Rotarians Mark and Julie Jones helped provide a KOCH Christmas celebration with food, music and entertainment – an experience many of the children had never imagined possible.

Education: Breaking the cycle of poverty

Education is the single most powerful tool for change in Korogocho.

A child who completes secondary school not only transforms their own life, but positively impacts their family and the wider community, helping break generations of poverty.

To this end, KOCH has launched the Future Pathways Scholarship Program.

The cost of one year of secondary education in Korogocho is approximately 30,000 KES (around AU$370).

“We identify students with strong potential and commitment and sponsors are invited to support students for the remaining duration of their secondary education, whether one year or up to five years,” Mark says.

“Looking ahead, KOCH will explore opportunities to extend support into college and vocational education. This aligns with our existing personal commitment, as we already fund two college scholarships annually for young women.”

• For more information on Keep On Creating Hope (KOCH), visit keeponcreatinghope.org
• Any clubs or individuals wishing to support the organisation can contact Mark Jones, of the Rotary Club of Leongatha, Vic, via mjo27154@bigpond.net.au or +61 409 332 038