Maji Mazuri has deep roots in Mathare Valley, a slum on the outskirts of Nairobi, Kenya in East Africa.

Less than 2 miles from the centre of Nairobi – a bustling city of over 3 million people - the Mathare Valley is 'home' to between 400,000 and 500,00 people (no one really knows how many), living in some of the most deprived conditions in the world. The 'homes' are shanties built of scrap metal, bits of wood and cardboard with no electricity, no clean water and no toilets.

A filthy, polluted stream runs through the Valley. The name “Maji Mazuri” was chosen as a deliberate symbol of radical change – it means “good water” in Swahili.

Mathare Valley is rife with violent crime, prostitution, illegal alcohol and drugs. But, it is also a community with many fine people struggling mightily to improve their lives, educate their children and live with dignity.

This is where, in 1987, Wanjiku Kironyo, then a professor at the University of Nairobi, first starting working with five local women to help them escape from prostitution and the illegal brewing and sale of alcohol by starting up small businesses such as vegetable stalls and food kiosks.

From these modest beginnings, Maji Mazuri has blossomed into a comprehensive initiative that touches the lives of over 940 children and youth and has helped several hundred families start and build small businesses. There are four main programs:

• Economic empowerment
• Education and talent
• Community development, and
• Mental and physical health.

It is Maji Mazuri's mission to use these four programs to support all members of the community as they develop from young children through to mature, productive adults.

There are presently 10 projects supporting these programs – including a micro business loan organization for men, women and youth; five schools; an orphanage focusing on physically or mentally disabled children, a youth group, a teens group, and a farm.