Upendo means love. And love is what orphans and other vulnerable children need! The parents or guardians of many children have died or are bed-ridden.
The volunteer-run centre takes an active role and cares for around 275 children in Mukuru, a slum in Nairobi's south. Upendo Rescue Center was established in 2002 with the mission of addressing the problems of the street children in the Mukuru slum of Nairobi, Kenya. Often this is due to HIV/AIDS or other diseases resulting from poor living conditions. At Upendo, the children have access to educat
12/03/2017
A big thank you to the Rotaract and AIESEC alumni community who joined us for a day of play and mentorship.
They dedicated their time, brought gifts, food and ideas for the development of the centre.
Karibuni tena!
21/02/2017
This video shows Upendo's work. It's a few years old but still a gem!
Upendo Rescue Centre "I know I can be what I wanna be," sing the children in Nas's song, "If I work hard at it, I'll be where I wanna be." It is a great motivation for the kids i...
19/02/2017
We are looking for support in renewing our school vegetable garden. A few years ago, an organisation helped us set up this one and for years we had healthy vegetables. Let us know if you can support!
The plantation has really grown - even though it is dry now, it feels like an oasis!
13/02/2017
Meet three of our graduates, who went through our education and lived in our center during primary school age. Four years later, they have finished secondary school through the financial support of sponsors in Kenya and abroad.
We are so excited to have them back at Upendo - they are now teaching selected classes to give back to the community while they are planning their next career steps!
Happy New Year to all our supporters, near and far.
May your 2017 be prosperous and healthy!
We are celebrating our four high school graduates, who are now stepping into adult life. In total nearly twenty orphans from Mukuru have pursued their secondary education because of your loving support.
For our primary school graduates, we are looking for now individuals who can support their secondary education. If you can help please get in touch!
12/03/2016
Today we are celebrating this high school graduate who makes us and his grandma very poud: He scored an A- in KCSE and we're now thinking through next steps with him.
In total 15 orphaned youth who went through primary education at Upendo Rescue Center are receiving secondary sponsorships now, thanks to our sponsors and supporters abroad and here in Kenya. Our local volunteer team supports them during the term breaks and plays the vital parent role.
Please get in touch if you want to support, be it through sponsorship, mentorship, food or clothes donations, career opportunities etc. Thank you!
In 2002 Upendo Rescue Centre was founded as an initiative to get vulnerable kids into school and off the street.
Our team believes that children should be playing, learning and developing their talents and not get involved in drugs, prostitution and crime in their childhood and teenage years.
Last night some thugs broke into our school. They stole equipment used for teaching and running the school. They did not only create financial damage but also throw back our over 200 pupils in their learning journey.
We are sad and angry. More effort needs to be done to stop the cycle of poverty and crime.
Finally - long holidays are here!
We have a dozen of our graduates home from school now - staying at Upendo. We are looking for donations for food or personal effects (soap, pads, clothes) - any suggestions, please let us know!
07/09/2015
When was the last time you jumped like mad?
Lunch break at Upendo, it's wonderful to have so much space to play!
13/03/2015
Disaster hit around 200 families just outside our door on Wednesday, as their houses and belongings were razed by fire.
Some are sleeping outside others found refuge in our centre.
We appeal to well wishers to bring food, clothes, blankets and mattresses.
We thank God for keeping our centre and the children safe
12/03/2015
Sad news from Mukuru Fuata Nyayo. Wednesday afternoon a fire broke out in our neighbourhood and erased at least 200 families' homes before it was contained.
Many people slept in our compound as they had nowhere to go. We appeal to anyone who can help these families feed themselves and contribute to re-building their households:
clothes, blankets, mattresses, kitchen equipment, buckets, furniture etc.
We need sugar, bread, flour, oil, vegetables, charcoal to provide for those camping here.
Any donations can be brought to our center (Enterprise Road / Gilgil Road) and will be distributed to the needy. Call or mpesa 0721-429472
Today we are celebrating the first two KCSE graduates who went through Upendo Rescue Center.
Congratulations to Gladys and Obiero!
Many factors contributed: Their hard work and determination, together with the support and mentorship of our teachers and guardians and as a catalyst the two sponsors from Germany.
We thank God and pray that He will continue to shine His light on these young adults.