YIKE's History

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 on the Role of youth groups in Development of their communities). From observation and experience it was realized that youth groups based in slums, have potential but are limited by the environment they reside in and therefore need skills, resources and encouragement to prosper.

YIKE's Present

YIKE has chosen to work with the youth because in Kenya they form the larger part of the population, yet there are few programs targeting them specifically. When the youth are encouraged to work together in constructive groups they have the ability to create income for themselves and their dependents as it has been proved by YIKE in the last seven years. The other reason is that the youth are also by majority affected by urban poverty and unemployment. Majority of the jobs generated by the Kenya’s economy are in the service sector which require high level of education and skills which are lacking in majority of the youth residing in the slums/informal settlements. YIKE is passionate to creating change, one Youth Group at a time in an environment where there is much potential to be exploited. At the moment YIKE is working with 62 Youth groups in various parts of Nairobi as of April, 2010.

"YIKE aims at assisting marginalized and disenfranchised youth, through youth groups, to help them create and sustain income generating activities for their survival".