ABOUT
ALFAJIRI.
Alfajiri (Swahili for daybreak) is non-profit and founded specifically for street and at-risk children and youth living in the slums, rubbish dumps and streets of Nairobi. These young people are offered holistic programs for the transformation of their lives from despair to hope, making use of their own voices and talents through music and art for advocacy and connection. Alfajiri programs provide education sponsorship, training, and general support to marginalized youth and families for the improvement of Kenyan life. Alfajiri works with Kenyan staff only and is well represented and networked in Kenya, Alfajiri art and music has established an international standard in Europe, America and Australia.
Alfajiri Street Kids Art is a Community-Based Organization registered with the Kenyan Government since April 2015. Alfajiri was founded and is currently directed by Lenore Boyd, an Australian artist who came to Kenya and worked with the Mother Teresa Missionaries in Nairobi. Lenore observed that the life of the marginalized and stigmatized youth in the streets was one of overwhelming destitution, hunger, and deprivation of basic human rights. Using creative arts as a base therapy to reach out to the children of the streets, Alfajiri was born.
​
In Kenya, there are an estimated 250,000 children living on the streets, and 60,000 within the city of Nairobi alone (United Nations data 2018). They are abandoned or forced to flee to the streets for reasons of poverty, family breakdown and abuse. In addition to the employment of art and music as therapy, raw talent and a voice for the experiences of these young people was discovered.
​
Having created rapport and a sense of community through creative programs, Alfajiri further strengthened their engagement through dance, Music, Martial arts and sports. Hundreds of young people have been assisted to find education, safety and a life beyond the streets. Consequently, the Alfajiri drop-in centre, established in 2018 in Kasarani Nairobi has been a hub of peace and safety for young people and their families.
​
After ten years of operation, many of our beneficiaries are now established with relocation of families from dangerous slum areas, education training, trades, universities, small business and have left the streets to find new life and contribute to the society.
​​
OUR MISSION.
To reach and empower street children and vulnerable families through art creation and community engagement, discovering our common humanity.
OUR VISION.
Create a world where every child has opportunity to thrive, belong, be valued and discover their true worth.
OUR HISTORY.
Alfajiri Street Kids Art was founded in 2015 by Lenore Boyd, an Australian artist who after a visit to Kenya in 2012, decided to volunteer with the Missionaries of Charity Fathers of Mother Teresa in Nairobi.
While visiting Mlango Kubwa slums and rubbish dump alongside a priest from the Missionaries of Charity Fathers, Lenore was approached by a young street boy. Taking her hand, trembling and pointing to the pile of rubbish, he said, “This is where I sleep.” Then, pointing to a muddy puddle, he added, “This is where I drink. Help me. I want to go to school.” Shocked by these conditions which were below the level of basic human decency, she formed a friendship with the boy who reminded her of her own children. Within a few months, she personally sponsored the boy’s education, and helped reunite him and support him in his family. Witnessing the profound impact that a single act of compassion could have on a child’s life, she went on to support and rescue more children facing similar circumstances.
Recognizing the need and inspired by the resilience of these young people, Lenore joined forces with a group of concerned and aware young Kenyans to establish Alfajiri Street Kids Art organization with the sole purpose of removing the children from the rubbish dumps and slum. Drawing on her family’s artistic background and her observation of talent in the streets with the knowledge of the transformative power of creativity, the organization adopted art as a tool for healing, and empowerment.
Today, Alfajiri Street Kids Art is dedicated to reaching children living or at risk of the streets and those at risk through artistic expression and creative development. By providing opportunities for growth, education, and self-expression, the organization empowers vulnerable children with hope, stability, dignity, and the skills needed to build sustainable futures.
Donors, Partners and Sponsors
