About Us
The Poor Philanthropists is a Community Based Organization in Kenya’s second largest informal settlement -Mathare. We are Horizontal Philanthropists-Our approach to women and girl's rights issues, development and environmental protection and sustainability is participatory. Thus, we do not sit on top of vertical relations to determine solution, rather engage the community in creating solutions. As Intersectional Feminists, we address various social identities and how they overlap to create discrimination and oppression to women and girls. We believe “Mkono moja uosha mwingine”, loosely translated to “one hand washes the other.” We work with support from donors, government agencies, corporates and individuals.
Why do we focus our efforts on Mathare?
Mathare's population living in a 1km2 area
* UN Habitat57% of children in Mathare are facing malnutrition
* UNICEF 201280% of Mathare's population is unemployed
* UN HabitatRisk of HIV infection in Mathare compared to 6% in other urban areas
* Madise Nyovani J, et al (2012)Avarage monthly cases of sexual and gender-based violence treated by one SGBV clinic in Mathare (2014-2019)
* Doctors Without Borders (2019)Cases of sexual and gender-based violence in Mathare involve underaged persons
* Doctors Without Borders (2019)Unstable social contexts including poverty, unemployment and crime are leading contributing factors to drug addiction, abuse and crime.
Youth in mathare are engaged in criminal activities. Crime culture is a means of survival in Mathare.
Our Programs
1.Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights
No Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights issue is too small or too big to be left uncovered. We know the impact of one issue results to negative ripple effects in every aspect of women and girls lives.
2.Gender Violence, Response and Recovery
We commit to alleviate the chances of violence in collaboration with response and recovery institutions, create awareness/advocate and lobby against different forms of violence, community sensitization on media including social media, arts, trainings. We cannot look at economic empowerment initiatives as a shield against poverty that is a risk factor for gender based violence and inequality.
3.Environmental Sustainability
Inaccessible clean adequate water and proper sanitation continue to disproportionately affect communities in Mathare and its environs. At least 15 people are treated of cholera every day, while 200 people are infected with typhoid. Women and girls bear the brunt burden of collecting water as well as managing it for domestic use.
Our Work
The journey of a thousand mile begins with a single step.
This is Glory Hope Center in Mathare Area2, A Day Care and Girls Center that we work with. 
The girls not only learnt but also got some good goodies! I also got new names-Teacher Gloria!
No https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=528722022629575&set=pb.100064753444890.-2207520000.Our Partners
Our Mission
Create a legacy of long-term and recurring benefits objected against feminized poverty resulting from overlapping social identities by advocating for the rights of women and girls.
Our Vision
An open door to accessibility, opportunities and privileges particularly to those in dire need.