Shining Hope for Communities (SHOFCO) has launched two new
community empowerment centres in Kisumu and Siaya counties, marking a major
milestone in its mission to support marginalized communities across Nyanza.
The three-storey facilities, located in Gem Sub-county
(Siaya) and Kisumu West Sub-county, will provide a range of services including
education, vocational training, gender-based violence (GBV) support, youth
mentorship, and school libraries.
Speaking during the launch, SHOFCO founder and CEO Dr.
Kennedy Odede said the initiative is part of the organization’s commitment to
grassroots development.
“These centres are more than just buildings—they represent
hope for young people, safety for women, and opportunities for families
struggling to access basic services. We believe in a Nyanza where no one is
left behind,” Dr. Odede said.
The Kisumu facility features a digital learning lab,
vocational workshops, a GBV response unit, and youth mentorship hubs, while the
Gem centre will serve as a multi-purpose hub for women-led enterprises,
skilling programs, a library, and gender services.
Local leaders praised SHOFCO’s intervention, calling it a
game-changer for inclusive growth.
Kisumu CECM Bovince Ochieng said the centre will complement
county programs in education and youth empowerment, while West Gem MCA Susan
Okwiri described the Siaya facility as a milestone for rural communities.
SHOFCO, which started in Nairobi’s Kibera slums, now operates in over 36 counties, reaching 4.1 million people annually.
Its model integrates
community-driven development with services such as healthcare, water and
sanitation, economic empowerment, and gender equity programs.
The twin launches come months after SHOFCO signed an MoU
with the Siaya County Government to collaborate in agriculture, health, and
gender initiatives.
The organization has also pledged to expand clean water
access, seed distribution, and GBV interventions across Nyanza.
With the new facilities, SHOFCO aims to serve over 400,000
residents in Kisumu and Siaya.
The Kisumu centre becomes the 7th SHOFCO facility in the
county, while Siaya’s Gem hub raises the tally to four centres in the region.
