Profile

The social welfare programme (Redeemed Gospel Church Development Project - RGCDP) is an arm of the Redeemed Gospel Church that was initiated in 1975. the programme was started to meet the social needs of the people living in Mathare Valley.

The purpose of the initiative was to express God’s love and address the physical needs of poor people in the community, especially women and children. RGC believes in wholistic approach to development. Hence its involvement in both pastoral and development work. From a small social unit in 1975, RGCDP has grown to a large development programme housing four departments, namely: social work, health, vocational training and schools. It has more than hundred staff headed by a Project Director and governed by a Programme Management Committee reporting to the Executive Board of RGC.

RGC believes in holistic deliverance and development of person's body, soul and mind. The programmes department exists to address the social concerns of the Mathare Valley community and raise their standard of living.

The social programme of RGC became fully operational in 1977.

RGCDP concern for the poor and marginalized is driven by: -

• Bringing the lost to Christ.

• Compassion for the poor.

• Love others as thyself.

• Need to share with the poor and marginalized.

• There is an opportunity for greater community involvement judging from trend that indicates that communities have become more innovative and wanting to handle their own situation.

• There are increased self-reliance initiatives at community level in the face of hardships. People have learnt to rely on themselves so as to cope.

1. HIV/AIDS has increasingly become a core development issue and has increased in RGCDP catchment area. More resources to confront the epidemic will be needed.

2. There is increased demand for a greater capacity to manage the threats.

3. People, despite their innovations, may be pushed to greater dependency on external support at the community level.

Mathare, Korogocho and Huruma are some of the well-known low-income settlements in Nairobi. Characterized by heavily congested poor housing structures that is the home to over six hundred thousand people, these areas have continued to experience serious social economic problems.

Located along a valley that drains the northern part of the city of Nairobi, there is little space for development. There is very poor drainage and sanitation. The majority of people living here have no means of generating their own income. Many of them are unemployed. To survive, many have turned to brewing of illicit beers, prostitution and crime.

Poverty Analysis

Poverty Analysis reveal the following manifestations of poverty which include high infant mortality, no ownership of property, apathy and hopelessness among the people, addiction to drugs, dirty people who do not take washing as a priority, malnutrition incidences among children, non attendance at schools and school drop out, poor housing (with no ventilation) made out of paper and crowded, diseases outbreak, poor sanitation, increased incidence of HIV/AIDS, congestion (too many people in a room), crowded schools, high crime rate, unemployment, illegal businesses e.g. chang’aa (local brew) brewing, child abuse, domestic violence, illiteracy, ignorance, running away from home, family disintegration and low wages. Root causes of these poverty manifestations have been identified as unfavourable government policies, corruption, insecurity lack of credit, lack of collateral, poor infrastructure, lack of awareness, inappropriate laws, lack of skills, external dependency, inequitable distribution of resources, liberalization and high population growth rate.

Other Actors

RGCDP is working in Korogocho, Mathare and Huruma where there are other (several) actors who include: - Korogocho Peace Unity association (KPUA), Doctors without boarders and numerous community based organizations.

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For More Information about RGC Projects contact

Mailto: The Project Director