Dear Friends,
As we welcome 2025, we can’t help but feel immense pride and gratitude for all we achieved together in 2024. This year was truly special for the Human Needs Project as we celebrated our town center's 10th Anniversary!
Here are just ✨a few highlights✨ from this amazing year:
10-Year Anniversary Celebration
Just a few months ago, in October, we gathered with 200 supporters in San Francisco to celebrate a decade of impact. The event was filled with vibrant African vibes, featured a performance by our Kenya music producer Daniel Owino, aka Futwax, and was an unforgettable celebration. Rewatch the highlights in the video below.
Expanded Our Urban Farming Program
Our Urban Farming Program continues to thrive! Last year, we built 30 greenhouses for the Kibera community. This year, responding to the community's growing demand, we constructed 15 additional greenhouses for local schools, helping to transfer knowledge of hydroponic techniques and improve food security for children.
Launched the Water Bottling Plant
In April, we opened our Water Bottling Plant in Kibera, with Grundfos CEO Poul Due Jensen joining us for the ribbon-cutting ceremony. This initiative, along with the debut of our Aqualuxe water brand, represents a major step forward in our pursuit of financial independence.
Grundfos CEO Poul Due Jensen at the ribbon-cutting ceremony
Invested in Our Team
This year, our Kibera Music Producer, Daniel Owino, spent a week in California, where he performed at our 10th Anniversary celebration, connected with Bay Area music producers, and participated in a full day of coaching at LAAMP (Los Angeles Academy of Artists and Music Production). Meanwhile, our Technical Director, Byrones Khainga, represented us at the prestigious World Water Conference in Sweden, bringing back valuable insights to strengthen our knowledge in water technology for poverty alleviation.
Hosted a Community Football Tournament
This year, we brought the Kibera community together like never before through our vibrant football tournament, which drew an incredible 10,000 attendees! The tournament featured 24 male and 8 female teams, empowering women and showcasing their talent on the field. Held over three weeks, the event included halftime shows and performances by Voices of Kibera artists (HNP's special Music Program).
Players in action during the Football Tournament match
Supported the Community During Severe Flooding
In April, Nairobi was hit with severe flooding, with slum areas like Kibera impacted the most. We provided emergency assistance to Kibera residents and our team members by rebuilding housing and helping with relocation efforts to ensure their safety and stability.
Molly Oluoch, a flood victim, at her home in Kibera
Launched a Recycling Program
This year, we also launched a Recycling Program in Kibera and celebrated World Cleanup Day with community-led waste collection and awareness activities. The program promotes cleaner spaces and supports sustainable waste management in the community.
Celebrated Our Co-Founders' Special Milestones
This year, we proudly celebrated our co-founders' incredible milestones. Connie Nielsen traveled the globe for the release of Gladiator II in November, while our co-founder David Warner was featured on the AdaPETation podcast and delivered a TEDx talk in Boston, sharing his insights and passion for our mission.
Connie Nielsen at the premieres of the movie Gladiator II
A SPECIAL THANK YOU!
We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to our incredible board members: Tom Henrich, Mikkel Vestergaard, Jill Hamer, Hitesh Shah, Marcelo de Andrade, Kimberly Ellis, John Gage, Gloriana Mejia-Gund, Henrik Jones, Dan Kammen, and Susan Sarandon.
A special thank you as well to our US team: Executive Director Kristina Yarmolich, US Operations Manager Megan FitzGerald, Social Media Manager Alisa Bushueva, and our entire Kenya team: Felix Osumo, Peter Muthaura, William Ogutu, Grace Wanja, Fridah Okusi, Lilian Adhiambo, Byrones Khainga, Chrickson Matsili, Jackline Oyugi, Jimia Mohammed, Julian Onyango, Mary Amenge, Nancy Manyanky, Stella Mwania, Tairus Juma, Teresa Nasambu, Sophia Mohamed, Pamela Odhiambo, Victor Opalo, Everlyn Nyasuguta, Daniel Owino, George Orao, Erick Oduor, Ronald Oichoe, Boniface Luvaze, Michael Mutuku, Sumaya Noor, Newton Nyagah, Paul Mboya, and all of our interns and volunteers.
This year, we held many events, productive meetings, and strategy sessions together, and we can’t wait for what 2025 has in store! We also want to thank our partners, collaborators and generous supporters — these achievements and milestones are possible thanks to you. You are a vital part of our journey, and we are deeply grateful!
Wishing you a joyful and prosperous New Year!
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