In many low-income urban settlements across Kenya, young people face a complex web of interconnected challenges that hinder their ability to thrive. Unemployment and underemployment are rampant, especially among youth who lack access to quality education, vocational training, and capital to start businesses.
Even those with skills often remain trapped in informal economies or survivalist hustles, unable to access formal markets or sustainable income streams.
At the same time, the psychological burden of poverty, broken family systems, violence, substance abuse, and social exclusion has led to an alarming rise in mental health challenges. Issues such as depression, anxiety, trauma, and hopelessness are widespread—yet access to culturally relevant, youth-friendly mental health support remains severely limited. The stigma surrounding mental illness often forces young people to suffer in silence.
Ironically, many of these same youth possess untapped creative talents in areas like music, film, spoken word, dance, and digital content creation. Yet, without access to structured training, mentorship, equipment, or platforms to showcase and monetize their talents, these abilities often go unnoticed, unappreciated, or underexploited. The creative sector remains highly informal and disconnected from broader economic development and mental health solutions.
As a result, youth in these communities are not only economically disempowered but also emotionally burdened and socially voiceless—facing a triple threat of poverty, psychological distress, and cultural marginalization. The absence of an integrated, inclusive, and youth-driven approach to address these challenges leaves entire communities in a cycle of despair and lost potential.
