Community projects

At ASA Kenya, we diligently seek meaningful ways of touching the lives of members in the communities where we operate. We organize and conduct a diverse range of community programmes in health, education, environment and disaster relief. Some of our most recent community programmes are highlighted below.

Health

Health outreach and vision care in Kisii County

On 18th March 2023, ASA Kenya facilitated a one-day medical camp in Kisii County where 370 community members accessed free eye screening, blood pressure, and sugar screening. After the screening, patients received medication and reading eyeglasses as per the doctor's prescription at no cost. 9 cataract cases were identified for referral to the main hospital for surgeries. We contracted medical services from Lions SightFirst Eye Hospital for this project. The project aimed at helping patients to identify vision problems at the earliest stages when they can be treated.

Transforming lives through health camps in Kisumu

174 people with different health challenges in Kisumu County benefited from a health camp organized and financed by ASA Kenya on 19th November 2022. ASA Kenya partnered with Taiba Medical Centre, to deliver a two-day free medical camp. The medical team successfully conducted 16 minor tumor surgeries, 10 circumcisions, 88 dental extractions, and 20 tooth fillings. All patients received medication after their consultations and treatments and were extremely grateful for the access to free medical services.

Empowering mobility: Wheelchairs for Coastal Community

On 28th May 2022, ASA Kenya organized and distributed 38 standard wheelchairs to persons living with disabilities in the Coastal area. The beneficiaries, 32 adults and 6 children were identified by loan officers from different villages in Mombasa, Kwale, and Kilifi Counties where they would often go for group visits and business verification. Among the beneficiaries, ASA Kenya is supporting 13 individuals with small business loans. Representatives from the area administration police, chief’s office, and constituency member of parliament’s office joined to help with the distribution.

Life-changing surgery brings smiles to Kitale

ASA Kenya sponsored a one-day free medical camp held at our branch in Kitale town, Trans Nzoia County on 11th December 2021 where 192 residents benefited. ASA Kenya partnered with Taiba dental clinic, an NGO led by Dr. Mahabubur Khan, a maxillofacial surgeon to offer medical services including dental care, circumcision, and head/neck tumor surgeries. Staff based at Kitale branch volunteered and assisted the medical personnel to deliver the medical services to the residents, who expressed gratitude for the camp. ASA Kenya is delighted to share that six surgeries were performed during the camp and all were successful. Outstandingly, this medical camp brought big smiles to the family of Ms Mukhwana, mother to a nine year old girl. The girl had a tumor on the right side of the neck, a case which had to be referred to Kitale County hospital where a major surgery was conducted by Dr. Khan with assistance from the county medical staff. The tumor was successfully removed and the child discharged from hospital on 14th December 2021 to continue healing from home. The Mukhwana family was thankful to ASA Kenya for holding the medical camp at Kitale and financing her daughter’s surgery. The mother said, “My daughter has suffered many years with this tumor and no hospital or doctor around Kitale was able to operate and remove the tumor until now”. ASA Kenya, through the staff based at Kitale branch, will remain in contact with the mother to monitor the progress of her daughters healing and also make occasional visits to their home to wish her a quick recovery.

Smiles for all: free dental care initiative

In September 2020, ASA Kenya partnered with Taiba Medical Centre, to offer dental care to the community. ASA Kenya organized and financed a free medical camp for thirty three families drawn from four branches around Pangani-Nairobi. Through this program, the community was able to access dental treatment which they would not be able to afford themselves. Staff from Eastleigh, Dandora and Kariobangi branches assisted to identify the persons within the community who were having dental health problems.

Education

Empowering learning at Masaantare Primary School

On 19th March, we held a community responsibility program at Masaantare Primary School in Ololulunga, Narok County where we provided donations from our company, including two 10,000-liter water tanks and 650 packets of sanitary pads, aimed at facilitating uninterrupted learning at the institution. Our donations were specifically intended to alleviate water access challenges and reduce absenteeism among girls. It was wonderful teaming up with the learners, teachers, client-parents present, community leaders to plant 50 tree seedlings at the school compound which is part of our climate action initiatives.

Addressing shortage of school stationary

On 10th May 2022, ASA Kenya supported a government school, Kathivo primary, located in Kitui County by donating 50 learning desks, 125 encyclopedia revision textbooks and 240 packets of sanitary pads. To empower the students to perform better in subsequent examinations and enable the pupils to join reputable secondary schools for higher learning, ASA Kenya, with the help of the Area Chief and parents, some of whom were borrowers, distributed these donations to the school to address the challenges of insufficient textbooks in the school library and learning desks in classrooms where pupils lack comfortable sitting facilities while attending their lessons.

Environment

Waste Collection Initiative on World Earth Day

In line with our dedication to minimizing our environmental footprint, we were involved in a waste collection endeavor orchestrated by the Ubunifu Eco-Train Movement on 20th April 2024, coinciding with the global observance of World Earth Day. The Ubunifu Eco-Train Movement is a community-driven organization spearheaded by the youth, operating in Ruaraka, Nairobi County, with a focus on addressing socio-economic challenges within the locality. Our acquaintance with their leadership team stems from our past participations in tree growing activities in Nairobi County, facilitated by the Environment Department. Participating in this endeavor not only fosters awareness among our personnel and communities regarding the imperative for proper waste management but also embodies our commitment to environmental sustainability.

Climate Smart Agriculture training

On March 25th, 2024, we held our first Climate Smart Agriculture training in Mashuru, Kajiado County, targeting local client-farmers affected by drought. Fifty-eight farmers participated, including livestock keepers and crop farmers. The session was led by Dr. Alice Ruto from the Kenya Professional Association of Women in Agriculture and Environment, our technical partner. The training helped participants understand what climate change is, its effects on the environment and human life, and how farmers can best prepare for climate-related challenges like drought, which poses the greatest risk to livelihoods in Kajiado County. Key topics covered: - Understanding climate change and its impacts - Soil and water management - Climate-smart crop and livestock production - Integrated soil fertility management Participants learned sustainable practices such as conserving rainwater, rotational grazing, waste recycling, and constructing biodigesters. The session concluded with a Q&A, and farmers were connected to local agricultural extension officers for continued support. ASA Kenya will follow up to ensure ongoing guidance and practical implementation.

Indigenous wonders for the schools

On four different occasions in the fourth quarter of 2023, we worked with several partners to plant 2000 tree seedlings consisting of 1800 indigenous trees and 200 fruit trees. The distribution of the seedlings is as follows: 500 tree seedlings were planted in St. Veronica Secondary School, 300 in St. Magdalene Siloba Secondary, 1000 in Machegecha Primary School and 200 in Nairobi South B Primary School. Our planting activities received a special boost on two occasions with the involvement of 20 of our clients from one of the groups residing in the neighborhood where the trees were planted.

Fruitful beginnings

In collaboration with our dedicated partners, we planted a total of 200 tree seedlings, comprising 150 indigenous trees and 50 fruit trees at the Kenya School of Law, Nairobi on 17th September 2023.

Advocating environmental stewardship

In the months of May and June 2023, ASA Kenya sponsored tree planting activities in different sites within Nairobi and Kisii Counties and was inspired to collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders sharing a common goal of environmental conservation including the national and county governments, community-based organizations and public learning institutions to plant 5500 fruit and indigenous tree seedlings. It was encouraging to promote environmental stewardship among the learners, youth, and other community members.

Regreening communities with the youth

During International Day of Forests on 21st March 2023, ASA Kenya successfully launched its tree planting project for the year 2023 by planting 2500 tree saplings at Nyanturago wetland and Irungu Primary School, Ibeno ward, Kisii County. 1500 tree seedlings were purchased from our client, Elizabeth Moraa, who runs a seedling nursery in her compound in Suneka village.1000 seedlings were purchased from a Nyanturago community member. Several public and private stakeholders within Kisii County immeasurably supported our project. Watch a clip of the program here: https://youtube.com/clip/UgkxuBOM1MIPHKeaAIhXz_ZgeAxeXEAjKUNe

Emergency response

Relief aid donation to support victims of fire accident in Nairobi

ASA Kenya aided fifty (50) families impacted by two distinct fire incidents in the Mradi and Kijiji residential areas of Nairobi County on February 27th, offering relief donations. Each family received food supplies, consisting of 2kg of maize flour, 2kg of rice, and 1 liter of cooking oil, to sustain them during the period when they would be unable to earn and support their families. Additionally, twelve (12) large umbrellas were distributed to individuals who lost their business premises and stock, aiding them in establishing temporary structures to resume their business operations.

Providing Meals to Orphans and Widows

On December 21, 2023, ASA Kenya contributed to a community-driven initiative known as "Meal Table Day," organized by the Office of the Member of County Assembly, Tala Ward, Machakos County. Our donation included 200 kilograms of maize flour and 100 kilograms of sugar. Conducted annually at the year's end, the initiative targets assisting underprivileged individuals, specifically orphans and widows, by supplying them with meals to sustain them throughout the entire festive season. The meal distribution exercise was led by Hon. Jackson Ndaka, Tala Ward MCA and Speaker of the County Assembly of Machakos, along with Ahsan Habib, Acting CEO for ASA Kenya.

Emergency food assistance for fire-affected traders

On 23rd June 2023, ASA Kenya supported 81 traders who lost their business structures and goods in a fire incident that occurred on 10th June 2023 at Toi Market, Nairobi County caused by an electric fault per the authorities report. We donated 2kg of maize flour, 2kg of rice, 2kg of sugar, and 2 liters of oil to each fire victim to sustain them for the period that they would not be able to make income from their affected businesses. We encouraged them to channel their resilient character toward rebuilding their businesses.

Drought relief: Nourishing families facing starvation

According to the April 2023 monthly drought update report by the National Drought Management Authority of Kenya, the drought situation remains critical in 21 out of the 23 Arid and Semi-arid Lands during the month of March 2023 where Kajiado County is listed among 9 counties classified in the ‘Alarm’ drought phase. In this regard, ASA Kenya organized and coordinated with local authorities to distribute relief food to 200 families facing starvation in Orinei village, Kajiado County on 24th June 2023. Each family received 2kg of maize flour, 2kg of beans, 3kg of rice, and 2kg of porridge flour for babies.

Rapid relief for fire-affected families

On 14th September 2021, a fire accident occurred at Gatina settlement, Kawangware, Nairobi County, approximately 2.1 km from the ASA Kenya Head Office. The fire burnt down 5 housing units, affecting at least 300 families. Amongst the affected persons, is our client Callen Bosibori of Sunshine group-Kangemi branch. On the 2nd October 2021, our Head Office and two branches, Kangemi and Kawangware, organized and delivered relief items to 100 families of the fire accident. Regional manager, area managers, branch managers and loan officers from these branches personally distributed a blanket, 1 liter of cooking oil, 2kg of sugar and 2kg of cooking flour to each of the 100 families to support their recovery from the accident. The community leaders from the area were also present and assisted with the distribution of the relief goods. The beneficiaries were thankful for the support. Most of the victims either moved upcountry to regroup or settled at their neighbours’. Those who had settled with their neighbuors, indicated that the aid they had received would help reduce the burden of shopping necessary for them to survive until, at least, they move out from their neighbours.

Supporting the fight against the Covid-19 virus

In July 2021, ASA Kenya’s Nakuru branch organized and donated a 5000 liter water tank, 100 liters of hand-sanitizer, 678 masks and 300 sanitary towels to 650 children to support the fight against the spread of the Covid-19 virus. All children that benefitted from this program come from under-privileged backgrounds and attend Lake View Primary school. The school, which hosts some of the clients’ children, lacked proper water storage facilities, prompting the company to intervene and support. The area chief and parents (some of them clients) of the children took part in the distribution of the items to the children. The head of the school and the parents indicated that the aid delivered by ASA Kenya would not only help the children but the whole community. They indicated that the tank would help them solve part of the challenges they had with storing water and utilizing in the future or when the need arises.