Organization Profile
Canonical profile aligned to Daraja 360 strategic content.
Daraja360 is a non-profit organization committed to inclusive and sustainable community transformation. It highlights the organization's identity, legal status, structure, and areas of operation, while outlining its key programs and future priorities. The section also emphasizes Daraja360's collaborative approach, built on partnerships with communities, government, private sector, and international allies, ensuring accountability and alignment with both national and global frameworks.
Since its establishment, Daraja360 has grown from a community empowerment initiative into a multifaceted organization driving impact in education, youth development, gender equality, digital innovation, environmental sustainability, and social entrepreneurship. This background provides the foundation for the 2026-2030 strategic plan, through which Daraja360 seeks to bridge opportunity gaps and advance holistic transformation.
Vision
We envision a holistic empowered society where vulnerable Women, Youth, Children and Persons with disability lead decent and sustainable lives.
Mission
We exist to unlock the potential within vulnerable Women, Youth, Children and PWD, by providing access to quality education and comprehensive mentorship in life skills, technical skills and entrepreneurship skills, fostering innovative use of their abilities.
Core Values
Motto: “Be a Bridge of Love”
Historical Background
Daraja 360 Community Based Organization (CBO) traces its roots back to 2007, when it was first established under Rock Bridge Ministries as a rescue centre for street mothers and their children in Nakuru County, Kenya. The program's initial focus revolved around the Three Rs (Rescue, Rehabilitation, and Reintegration) aimed at restoring dignity, stability, and hope to vulnerable women and their families.
During this foundational phase, the initiative placed strong emphasis on rescuing the families from the streets, rehabilitation from drugs and substance abuse, access to education and skills, and psychosocial support as pathways toward reintegration into society. However, after facing 12 challenges during the Reintegration phase, the program underwent a strategic revamp in 2008, narrowing its focus exclusively to Reintegration.
This pivotal shift laid the groundwork for a more sustainable and targeted model of empowerment that later evolved into Daraja 360 CBO. Over time, Daraja 360 transitioned from a rescue-oriented approach to a holistic empowerment model, expanding its work beyond family reintegration to include education scholarships, skills development, mentorship, digital innovation, and social enterprise initiatives.
Since registration as a community-based organization, Daraja 360 has continued to grow in scale, structure, and impact through defined departments: Education Scholarship, Textile Hub, Digital Hub, and cross-cutting Mentorship (Life Skills, Career Guidance, and Psychosocial Support), supported by social enterprise units that enhance sustainability and community ownership.
Ongoing Current Activities and Projects
Daraja 360 CBO continues to implement a diverse portfolio of programs and initiatives that promote education, empowerment, and sustainable livelihoods among vulnerable and marginalized groups.
1. Education Scholarship and Support Program
This program remains central to Daraja 360's mission of improving access to education. The organization provides scholarships, school supplies, and psychosocial support to learners from vulnerable backgrounds. The education department also facilitates school placements, parental engagement, and follow-up visits to enhance retention and academic performance.
- Scaling up scholarship support to reach additional learners within Nakuru and neighboring counties.
- Establishing a structured alumni mentorship network to support current beneficiaries.
- Strengthening partnerships with schools and government education offices to coordinate support for needy students.
2. Textile Hub
The Textile Hub continues to provide hands-on technical and entrepreneurship training for youth and women in tailoring, garment production, and business management. Graduates are supported to transition into self-employment or formal employment.
- Advanced garment design and machine operation training.
- Uniform and textile production for schools, organizations, and corporates as a sustainability strategy.
- Continuous mentorship, marketing, and cooperative support for graduates establishing small enterprises.
3. Digital Hub
The Digital Hub remains a flagship initiative that provides foundational and intermediate digital literacy skills, particularly to young people and women. The hub integrates mentorship, counselling, and entrepreneurship training to build well-rounded digital citizens.
- Short-term digital literacy courses focusing on productivity, online work, and communication tools.
- Specialized training in graphic design, printing, and branding for income generation.
- Strategic partnerships with technology actors and innovation programs for job placement and skills certification.
4. Mentorship, Guidance, and Counselling Program
This program provides emotional, social, and psychological support to youth, children, and families. It focuses on promoting self-awareness, positive behavior, and resilience through life skills training and counselling.
- Regular mentorship sessions in schools and community spaces.
- Parental engagement and family counselling forums.
- Peer mentorship initiatives and youth leadership development camps.
5. Income Generating Activities (IGAs) and Social Enterprise
To enhance sustainability, Daraja 360 continues to strengthen its income-generating ventures under the textile and digital hubs. These enterprises not only provide practical experience for trainees but also generate internal revenue to support program costs.
- Production of school and corporate uniforms.
- Printing, branding, and digital services for community and business clients.
- Marketing of locally produced goods under Daraja 360's empowerment label.
6. Institutional Development and Capacity Strengthening
Daraja 360 remains committed to building a strong institutional foundation for effective service delivery.
- Staff development, policy implementation, and leadership training.
- Strengthening monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) systems for data-driven programming.
- Enhancing communication and visibility through digital platforms and community engagement.
- Sustaining compliance with government and donor reporting standards.
Together, these ongoing activities position Daraja 360 as a dynamic, learning organization that continuously adapts to community needs while remaining true to its vision of holistic empowerment and sustainable transformation.
Summary of Strategic Themes (2019-2025)
| Strategic Theme | Core Focus | Key Achievements |
|---|---|---|
| Education and Mentorship | Access to education, life skills, psychosocial support | 60+ scholarships; structured mentorship; life skills and career guidance; alumni mentorship |
| Economic Empowerment (Textile Hub) | Skills training, production efficiency, job creation | 156 youth and women trained; 3 specialized machines acquired; retail outlet opened; improved quality via Kaizen |
| Digital Inclusion (Digital Hub) | Digital literacy, employability, innovation | 400+ youth trained; AI integration; 20% linked to jobs; staff digital upskilling |
| Social Enterprise Growth | Sustainability through innovation | Diversified revenue via textile and digital ventures; partnerships with Citi Bank, JICA, IFAD |