Shining Hope for Communities (Shofco) is expanding its development programs in Machakos County, introducing gender initiatives, TVET scholarships, and community organizing platforms.
Speaking at Kenyatta Stadium during the Shofco Urban Network (SUN) county elections, Founder and CEO Dr. Kennedy Odede emphasized the need to support girls who dropped out of school due to financial constraints or early pregnancies. Shofco aims to sponsor 11,000 girls nationwide, including those in Machakos County.
Dr. Odede highlighted Shofco’s commitment to empowering women, citing their role in community development. He also reassured that boys are not left behind, as 300 TVET students (both men and women) are receiving scholarships, with additional internship, job placement, and business support through Shofco Sacco.
Additionally, Shofco plans to construct a community center in Machakos, which will include a library, a community hall, and women’s empowerment programs.
The SUN elections saw the participation of over 6,000 members, alongside dignitaries such as former Makueni Governor Prof. Kivutha Kibwana and Machakos MCAs and executive members.
Prof. Kibwana praised Shofco’s grassroots empowerment approach, calling it a model for global NGOs and suggesting its community-led strategies be applied to government programs.
