The Urban Development Programme (UDP) of All Saints Cathedral church, Nairobi, was started in 1991 in order to look after 350 families, who were displaced from their homes in slum demolitions.

The families were resettled in phases and formed three self help groups Tujisaidie, Ex-Muoroto and Matimamu – currently the UDP works with about 2500 people.

The work of the UDP has, so far, seen:

- improved health and sanitation for the local community;
- the emergence of youth groups and young mothers groups;
- evangelism and outreach through sports;
- and a successful educational bursary programme.

The Programmes:

Among the specific activities supported by the UDP are:

• Water – The resettled communities started without any water supplies – using stagnant water for bathing, washing ,cooking and drinking. They had to steal what they could at night from leaking connections or walk 5 km to the nearby sites. A lack of water was contributing to low hygiene standards and the spread of disease. By helping provide water the UDP has had a positive impact on the health of the communities and given members more time to spend on other income generating activities – enabling them to provide for their families.

• Health – The UDP is involved in both preventive and curative health measures – but with an emphasis on the former. Basic methods of disease control are demonstrated by the community health workers who are funded by the UDP and free treatment is provided at the Makadara mercy sisters’ dispensary. As part of the health care programme the UDP also organises free medical camps in collaboration with the congregation members who have a medical background.

• Latrines – Provision of latrines and bathrooms was the first priority of the community. A lack of adequate facilities meant that bathing and going to the toilet was happening in the open causing significant problems of hygiene and personal embarrassment. So far 120 latrines and bathrooms have been constructed by the community members.

• Education – Students are given bursaries through the UDP from the Church of Ireland Bishops’ Appeal and a number of other donors. They are selected on the basis of their examination results and the capacity of their parents to continue paying school fees for them. Most of the beneficiaries of this scheme have continued to do well after completing their secondary school education. One of them has a masters degree in economics from Jomo Kenyatta University and is now a bank manager.

• School Feeding Programme – The community set up a nursery school for their children – in order to protect them from spending their time on the streets. The feeding programme is part of an effort to encourage and enable children to stay in school throughout the day. They are served a simple a simple hot meal, which is funded through the UDP by supporters in Irish link churches. The community members organise themselves to cook, serve and clean on a rota basis. The feeding also extends to the old and sick – who number 20 on any given day. The initiative has had a positive impact on the health of the children, their psychological well being and has contributed to the community’s togetherness.

• Income Generating Activities – The UDP is committed to helping the local communities find ways of providing for themselves. At present this primarily focuses on craft making, which by the young mothers. Many of their crafts have so far been on sale in Europe, and purchased by visitors from Ireland. The group are now planning to set up a stall to sell their wares on a larger scale at the Cathedral on Sundays. Other options currently being explored are pig rearing, sewing, and a bakery facility.

• Community Capacity Building – Seminars and workshops are held to provide training on: leadership; fire fighting; income generating possibilities; and home based care for HIV/AIDS.

• Evangelism Through Sports – This is a relatively new initiative which brings young people in the communities together for football, volleyball, basketball and table tennis. They have an opportunity to share the word of God, through teaching and testimony, before and after their activities, and to support each other in fellowship and prayer. The initiative is bringing many to faith and discipling many others.

Through these programmes and areas of support the UDP looks to make the love of Christ visible and tangible at the heart of a local community.