Group helping needy in Mombasa

Moi Avenue in Mombasa. [Omondi Onyango,Standard]

Kibokoni Self Help Society (Kisheso) is a community-based organisation established in Mombasa’s Old Town in 2011.

The group has been dealing with insecurity matters in the neighborhood, keeping the area clean as well as organising tuition for candidates in both primary and secondary schools.

According to the chair,  Zubeir Noor, Kisheso organises the tuition in a way that gets the Form Four students to assist Class Eight candidates even as they revise on their own.

Kisheso, which is involved in sadaqa mobilisation and distribution in the area says that they work with elders in the area to identify beneficiaries.

“Our list is always made in collaboration with area elders who help identify those in need,” Zubeir said.

He added that it is not uncommon to find the needy coming from as far as Likoni which is across the channel and even from far away in Vanga.

“We cannot turn them away as long as the exercise is ongoing; they are deserving,” he explained.

Kisheso zones off Kibokoni area for purposes of effective distribution.

The chair says that most of those engage in the arduous exercise of packaging and distribution are volunteers.

But they still require incentives to encourage them to keep helping the organisation deliver to the needy. 

“That is why we encourage our partners to buy on wholesale rates as it helps in packaging of foodstuff,” says Zubeir.

During this Ramadhan, Kisheso has distributed over 825 food items. The organisation is aiming to hit the 1000 target before the end of the holy month.

The organisation receives significant donations from an overseas group, Mjadala, which has members in North America and Europe.

They support food donation programmes especially during the month of Ramadhan

Other individuals and groups who have partnered with Kisheso include Van Rees, Nushad Merali, KPA, Hakika Transporters, Crown Petroleum and Abdulqadir Kaderdina.