The Jabori foundation (The Potter’s House CBO)

The Jabori foundation (formerly known as Potter’s House CBO) is a Christian organisation based in Njoro, Kenya. The organisation was founded in 2018 by Ruth Stevens and Beatrice Kamau who shared a simple yet profound vision: to offer holistic support to families that need it most. Support that strengthens families, prevents family breakdown and promotes self-sufficiency. In an area with high levels of unemployment, poverty, addiction and HIV, and where challenges seem to multiply daily, we recognized the urgent need for a nurturing environment where families can thrive. From the outset, our aim was to create a space where families could find emotional, social, economic, and spiritual support.

In the early days, work was focused on getting street connected children back home and back into education, while working closely with the caregiver to improve the home environment. However, our impact was limited due to the complex societal and cultural issues they faced. As we evolved over the years, we recognized the importance of developing a more community-focused model and we now run various community projects alongside our family intervention programmes and Christian outreach.

We work with every family member equipping them with the knowledge, skills and tools needed to break the cycle of poverty and reach their God-given potential. Once a needs assessment is done, we provide immediate support, such as help with hospital fees or placing the family on our food bank scheme, and we put in place a long-term plan of action. This can be supporting them through a training course that will lead to employment once qualified, assisting them to find employment or kickstarting a small business. To ensure success, each parent is taken through a basic business skills training before they start their business.

As part of our support for the children in the family, we ensure that each child who is school age is either placed in a local school, or polytechnic for the older ones. We believe it’s important to partner with the parent and not just give handouts, parents need to feel part of the process and take control of their futures, so parents are offered work at our APT workshop and then save part of the costs of starting businesses or school admission fees etc. Alongside this we assist caregivers with the processing of birth certificates, ID cards and Disability Cards. These are essential documents that many do not have because of, either not knowing how to apply, or they cannot afford the fees.

Our commitment doesn't stop at just providing services; we recognize that families often carry burdens that are invisible to outsiders. The emotional aspect of our work is perhaps the most impactful. Therefore, we prioritize creating safe spaces where families can express their struggles without fear of judgment. Our support groups have become a lifeline for many, providing a platform for individuals to share their experiences, encourage one another, and forge lasting friendships. It is at these meetings that we are also able to educate caregivers about positive parenting techniques that will strengthen the family unit and prevent breakdown.

Over the last few years we have seen an increase of referrals for families with disabled members. We have responded to this growing need by offering monthly support groups and regular training days on caring for their children in areas of play, feeding, communication and positioning. Caregivers struggling to balance life, work and the care of their disabled child, find solace in the shared experiences of others. Together, they explore coping strategies fostering a sense of belonging and understanding that’s often hard to find elsewhere.

We believe that families thrive best in strong communities which is why we give great importance to our community projects that invite participation and foster relationships. One of the greatest needs of the families we work with is food. The lack of regular meals can easily push children to go onto the street to beg or steal, leading to family breakdown. Once on the streets, children are at risk of violence, sexual abuse, drugs, and getting involved in crime. In 2021, The Jabori Foundation set up a community food bank in Njoro where community members, who can afford and have a little extra, can donate food which is then distributed to families that are going hungry. This is helping to reduce child malnutrition in families.

Also in 2021, we started our Cycle with Dignity project. This is in response to the needs of girls who suffer stigma, humiliation and despair every month when they don’t have access to menstrual products due to poverty. Staff visit local schools and educate girls and boys about menstrual health and hygiene and at the end of the day provide packs of 6 reusable sanitary pads to the girls. Through this provision we aim to reduce the number of girls trading sex for menstrual product, reduce STIs, reduce teenage pregnancy and increase school attendance. The pads are made using locally sourced materials and by a lady who we first met in 2018 when she attended one of our disability trainings. She is a mother of three children all diagnosed with cerebral palsy. After supporting her through polytechnic to do a tailoring course, we supplied her with a sewing machine so she can work from home while caring for her three children. This is an example of our holistic approach and how all areas of our work are interlinked.

The following year, in 2022 we introduced our biggest project to date – APT Kenya, a project that makes postural support equipment for children with disabilities using cardboard and paper. The impact of this project has been profound. We’ve successfully manufactured and distributed over 700 pieces of postural support equipment to children from all over Kenya, enabling them to engage more fully in educational and social activities as well as improve postural control and enhance function. Moreover, the employment opportunities we’ve created have empowered local families, significantly reducing their financial stress. Many parents have expressed gratitude for the chance to work, stating that it has not only helped them provide for their families but also given them a sense of purpose and belonging within the community.

One of the challenges we have faced throughout the years has been engaging men in our programmes and so we have made a deliberate effort to provide activities specifically for men and their needs. Every Saturday, boys that have been referred to us by schools and boys identified in the families we are working with, are invited to attend our Saturday Club. While being mentored, they to learn how to make household items using APT, play games and eat a meal together. For the adults, we hold a weekly Men’s Table Talk where men can come together to share their experiences and burdens. It is a time of open discussion free from judgement and full of encouragement that is guided by scripture.

Our faith in God is the bedrock of the organisation and is at the heart of all our activities. As part of the spiritual support for families and the wider community, each week we hold a bible study that is open to everyone. We also run a holiday club for children three times a year. Here the children enjoy bible lessons, games and a meal. This is also a time where children can be identified if needing a home visit and other support. On the final day of club we invite parents to come, share a meal, hear a short gospel message and hear from the children what they have been learning. This has proved to be a great opportunity to get to know parents and for them to get to know us. God has blessed this ministry greatly and we have been amazed at the increase of children attending the holiday club over the last few years. Last year around 200 children were coming each day. 

Looking forward, we are keen to develop our agriculture projects and this year we will be supporting families to grow their own crops and raise livestock to improve diets and generate income.

Our organization is more than just a service provider; we are a community partner, a source of hope, and a catalyst for change. Our holistic approach to supporting families reflects our belief that everyone deserves a chance to thrive, and together, we can build a community that uplifts and empowers all its members and create a brighter, more inclusive future for every family.