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About ABWA
A Nairobi-based community organisation working alongside people towards a fairer, more sustainable world.
Learn who we are, the values that guide us, and how we partner with women, young people, children and families in Kenya.
Who we are
Action for Better World Association (ABWA) is a community-focused organisation committed to working alongside underserved communities across Kenya. Founded in 2015 and based in Nairobi, we promote education, economic empowerment, food security, health awareness, environmental conservation and community-led development.
We believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to live a better life. Rather than handing down ready-made answers, we work hand in hand with local community groups, volunteers and partner organisations to address everyday social and economic challenges affecting children, young people, women and low-income households.
At a glance
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Our story
ABWA was founded in 2015 in Nairobi. We began with a belief that is still at the heart of our work: that all it takes to change the world is a little support, and that support is strongest when neighbours, friends and volunteers from far away share it.
Since then we have involved young people, women, children and international volunteers in community development projects, always with the same aim of making a difference through volunteering and shared effort.
All it takes to change the world is a little support, and that support is strongest when neighbours, friends and volunteers from far away share it.
Vision, mission and commitment
Guided by client-approved principles to support children, young people, women and families across Kenya.
Our vision
A world where all people have equal opportunities to live healthy, dignified, productive and fulfilling lives.
Our mission
To empower communities through education, skills development, sustainable livelihoods, food security, environmental conservation and community-led development initiatives.
Our commitment
We are committed to working with communities to create practical, lasting responses to poverty, youth unemployment, educational barriers, food insecurity and environmental degradation—so that families can strengthen their livelihoods and shape their own future.
Our core values
Seven shared principles guide how we listen, plan, use resources and work alongside communities.
Empowerment
Supporting individuals and community groups with the skills and tools to become self-reliant.
Equality
Promoting fair and equal opportunities for everyone, regardless of background.
Integrity
Maintaining openness, honesty, accountability and responsible stewardship of every resource.
Community Participation
Making sure the people at the heart of every project lead in identifying needs and shaping solutions.
Sustainability
Building long-term, practical solutions that continue to serve future generations.
Partnership
Working collaboratively with local groups, volunteers, donors, schools and fellow organisations.
Compassion
Walking alongside people with warmth, dignity and mutual respect.
Where we focus our work
A focus area is a long-term commitment; a programme is the practical work on the ground. Today, our work spans ten interconnected areas of community life.
Education & Child Development
School sponsorship, feeding support, learning materials, computer labs and mentorship.
Youth Empowerment & Skills
Vocational training, tailoring, digital literacy, entrepreneurship, leadership and talent development.
Women's Empowerment & Enterprise
Tailoring, small-business training, village savings groups, poultry farming and support for young mothers.
Food Security & Sustainable Agriculture
Climate-smart vegetable farming, urban kitchen gardens, rainwater harvesting and market access.
Health & Community Wellbeing
Preventive health campaigns, mental health and psychosocial support, nutrition and maternal/child health awareness.
Environmental Conservation & Climate Action
Community tree planting, clean-ups, plastic recycling, composting and environmental education.
Poverty Reduction & Livelihoods
Start-up support, financial literacy, business tools, value addition and household livelihood initiatives.
Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH)
Water tank installation, rainwater harvesting, school handwashing stations and hygiene education.
Arts, Culture & Creative Development
Community murals, drawing and painting workshops, recycled-art projects and creative entrepreneurship.
Community Development & Social Support
Community needs assessments, support for elderly people and people living with disability, and local capacity building.
How we work
Five foundational principles guiding every initiative, interaction and partnership.
We listen first
Projects are shaped with community groups, not handed to them.
We work with local knowledge
Farmers, teachers, artists and mentors in the community lead. Volunteers support.
We share skills that last
We focus on things people can keep using after a project day ends.
We respect people's dignity
We ask permission before sharing anyone's story or photograph, and we take particular care with children.
We say what we know and what we don't
If we cannot back up a claim with evidence, we leave it out.
Built to last, and open to scrutiny
Good intentions are not enough. Every ABWA project is planned with the community from the start, monitored honestly while it runs, and designed to keep going after initial funding ends.
How we design projects
We identify and design initiatives around the priorities community members raise themselves. Before a project begins, we set out a clear problem statement, specific goals, a practical schedule, a transparent budget, measurable indicators and an agreed sustainability plan.
Accountability and learning
We track our work through attendance and activity records, site visits, before-and-after assessments, financial expenditure reports and regular review meetings with community groups. We strive to keep transparent financial records and share honest updates with community members, partners and supporters.
Designed for community ownership
We want projects to thrive long after a grant or volunteer visit ends. We do this by training local management committees, supporting income-generating activities, mobilising local resources, and providing follow-up mentorship.
Moments from the ground
Across education, sustainable agriculture, environmental care and creative youth expression, real people are making a lasting difference every day.
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Education & Child Development
Nurturing curiosity, learning materials and mentorship in schools
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Sustainable Agriculture
Promoting climate resilient kitchen gardens and healthy food
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Environmental Action
Tree planting, clean up campaigns and local ecological restoration
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Creative Expression
Youth talent workshops, artistic mentorship and community murals
Where we work
ABWA is based in Nairobi, Kenya. We work where we have built relationships with community groups, rather than claiming to be everywhere. Our project plans involve four places across Nairobi, Machakos, Makueni and Taita Taveta counties.
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Mathare, Nairobi
Educational support at Caso Upendo Primary School, youth enterprise with the Miami Florida Youth Group, and tailoring with the Young Mothers Women Group.
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Kangundo, Machakos County
Work with a women's group on vegetable farming and shared learning.
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Kibwezi, Makueni County
Work with the Umisiiyu Women Group on vegetable farming and kitchen gardens.
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Kasigau, Taita Taveta County
Work alongside the Taita community, wildlife rangers and volunteers on community wildlife conservation, peaceful coexistence, forest restoration and cultural exchange around Mount Kasigau.
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See what we're working on
Explore our programmes, or tell us how you'd like to be involved.