Chaffinch

About Us

Chaffinch was established, in 2014, to empower local people to provide food, shelter and education to those in need within the Kibera slum of Nairobi. Kibera is one of the largest slums in Africa and may be home to over a million people: more than half of whom are under the age of 15.

Run entirely by volunteers, nearly all donated money is spent directly in Kenya to help Chaffinch's work, meaning much lower overheads than many other charities.

What is our vision?

"We aim to break the cycle of extreme poverty by ensuring children have the opportunities they need to escape the slums. We empower local people to care for Kibera's children with adequate nutrition, education, basic healthcare,  a safe place to live, and more.  Every child has the capacity to build a better future, and we see the support of local people and local projects, like the Future Stars Development Centre, as the vital foundations."

What We Do

Chaffinch works closely with the Future Stars Development Centre situated in the heart of Kibera to provide a home, food, and free education to the most vulnerable children in the slum. Children are often referred to the centre by the area chiefs, by centre staff aware of their circumstances, or through direct applications from needy families.

Chaffinch liaises closely with staff at Future Stars to ensure groceries, purchased monthly, provide for the children's daily needs. Chaffinch also helps to provide school supplies, assists with medical bills, and aids efforts to ensure the buildings are updated and maintained to provide safe facilities for the children and staff.

What does the money buy?

£15 can provide around 55 hot meals for children who would otherwise go hungry.

£20 buys a child a full school uniform, or enables a child to be treated for malaria: a common problem in this area.

£50 can fund a year's school fees, or a mattress, bedding and mosquito net.

What do they say? 

Our supporters:

"[I know] that I am helping to keep a girl from early marriage and child-bearing and giving her an education which may help her to get a good job and will help her to give her own children a good start in life."

"I decided to sponsor Samuel after seeing updates from Chaffinch about an ongoing medical condition he had, and it’s been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made!"

"The charity is small and money goes where it is needed not in administration."

The children of Future Stars:

"You have walked with me side-by-side throughout...I will also become a supportive father and change so many lives."

"I am so thankful for the support and prayers of everyone at Chaffinch who has stood by me."

Help these children to change their world

The challenges for Kibera's children are extensive and we need to push on to reach even more children and ensure they receive the opportunities they need to build a better life for themselves and the next generation.