When you walk through Mukuru, one of Nairobi’s largest informal settlements, you might not expect to find a story of innovation, resilience, and systemic transformation. Yet, this is where the journey of the Viwandani Comprehensive Community Organization (VICCO) began — a local NGO that has grown from humble beginnings into a system changer and partnership-driven sustainability hub.

The Early Days – A Cup of Porridge, a Small Garden

Our journey together started under the More Health (MMH) initiative, with modest but powerful ideas: a small school feeding program that offered cups of porridge, a modest organic garden, and activities for vulnerable mothers and children.

These early steps weren’t about scale — they were about testing, learning, and proving what works.

From Initiatives to a Network

Today, VICCO is no longer just a local initiative. It has become a key partner of the System Changer Network Kenya (SCN), an independent platform built on MMH’s foundation.

SCN brings together 7 NGOs across Kenya, working collaboratively to address complex challenges that no single organization could tackle alone. The approach? Systemic, holistic change through collaboration and active skill exchange.

Visible Progress in Mukuru

The results speak for themselves:

– VICCO has launched recently the SCN Knowledge & Training Center – established in the heart of Mukuru. Soon, with just a little more funding, it will also house shelters for women and children at risk and a community kitchen.

– School feeding program – what began with a few cups has grown to 1,500 children fed daily, thanks to the support of TMG and other partners.

– Organic farming garden run by community members – relocated and scaled with the backing of local government, offering sustainable food solutions and training sessions. This garden is placed in a rehab center in the middle of the informal VC settlement where a close and regular collaboration with medical staff – nurses and psychologists- and VICCO takes place.

– Programs for teenage mothers – creating pathways of opportunity, reinforced by both online and onsite SCN programs.

– a successful and very transparent Sacco program to empower micro businesses for people who would never have access to any credit or loan including business skill training sessions

Each of these milestones reflects more than just project success — they represent steps toward financial independence, stronger community resilience, and sustainable growth, they represent single puzzle pieces coming together to form a big picture of change and empowerment for vulnerable communities: women, children And men and the environment they live in.

The Formula for Sustainability

Looking back, one pattern results very clearly:

What once were single initiatives are now co-funded and strengthened by diverse partners. The model is locally rooted, business-minded, and internationally connected — ensuring that impact doesn’t fade but grows stronger over time.

A Lesson for Business and Society

For business leaders exploring CSR, ESG, or shared value approaches, VICCO’s journey is more than a local success story. It shows how:

Collaboration multiplies impact , Partnerships accelerate scale, Local ownership ensures sustainability.

In Mukuru, change is happening. And it’s happening because local commitment meets systemic collaboration — addressing not just immediate needs, but the social determinants of health and life conditions that shape entire communities.

The Journey Continues

The story doesn’t end here. On 30 September 2025, SCN Kenya will host its Open Day at the Gaaspp Center in Webuye, bringing together partners, social entrepreneurs, and changemakers from Kenya and beyond. It’s an invitation to see, learn, and join this growing movement.

🔗 Learn more at www.scn-kenya.org.