Youth Initiatives-Kenya (YIKE)

Über uns

Youth Initiatives-Kenya (YIKE) is a non-profit organization registered in July 2003 at the Kenyan Non Governmental Organization (NGO) bureau. It was started as an initiative after realization of the significance of youth groups in the development of the society (this was from an academic research by the founders of YIKE on the ‘Role of youth groups in Development of their communities’).

YIKE aims at assisting marginalized and disenfranchised youth, through youth groups, to help them create and sustain income generating, lead a healthy life, access the benefits of ICT and have a better understanding of their rights as citizens.

Our vision is a society in which the youth are able to facilitate their own development.

Mission
To transform the lives of youth, women and children by engaging communities, state and non-state actors in sustainable socio-economic empowerment and livelihoods; health initiatives; capacity building, governance and advocacy.''

Based in the informal settlements of Nairobi, YIKE works at improving the capacity of the youth so that they can facilitate their own development. This is achieved through the implementation of different projects.
Our main focus is on Livelihoods which sustain the youth. At the moment we are working with youth in the following areas in Nairobi: Kariobangi, Korogocho, Huruma, Mathare, Dandora, Mukuru, Kibera, Kawangware, Njiru and Kangemi.

Our Programs:
• Livelihoods: Training and Research - This is the entry point in to YIKE. Every year, we receive applications from Youth group and only ten are selected. They are selected on the basis of their IGA, if the group is registered and for how long it has been in existence. As first year group, they are trained in team management, peace building and conflict resolution. As second year groups, they are trained in Business and Financial Management and as third year, we undertake a health check project with them and link them to other organizations.
• Health: HIV and Behaviour change project - Program focuses on youth as one of the populations which are most at risk in regards to HIV and AIDS by increasing awareness about prevention and care. WASH project
• Gender and Governance: This is a research-study project with UN Women (formerly UNIFEM). The study seeks to understand the degree in which gender responsive approaches have been used in the disbursement of funds in Embakasi, Kasarani and Starehe constituencies in Nairobi and to develop mechanisms and tools that would strengthen the application of gender responsive approaches in all constituencies in Kenya.
• Information Communication Technology (ICT): Youth Information Centre (Resource Centre): Offers ICT Training in partnership with Nairobits, Internet services, Library and recreational activities for the youth. The training in ICT is done at YIKE offices and the beneficiaries are from the informal settlements of Nairobi.
• Community Events and Dialogues: Dialogues are opportunities for youth voices to be heard and engaged. Community events are sensitization on issues such as small arms in the community, HIV/AIDS awareness and Youth Issues such as unemployment, crime etc. Also this serves as a platform for advocacy on issues important for the youth. Every year YIKE holds four dialogues in which the youth select issues they want to dialogue in with relevant experts, government agencies and local leaders.

For other net participants we can offer an expert guidance through trained staff, give an expert opinion, procure expert information and establish new contacts in the field of our work.