About the Foundation
From vulnerability to hope, opportunity and self-reliance.
A Kenyan organisation established out of a commitment to see individuals, families and communities move from poverty and vulnerability toward dignity, opportunity, self-reliance and lasting change.
Our story
From a heart for people to a growing movement of hope
Cistern of Hope Foundation began in 2021 in Uthiru, Nairobi, Kenya, during the challenging period of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Founded by Mr. and Mrs. Justus Kubai, the Foundation emerged from a deep passion for serving people whose lives were being affected by poverty, uncertainty, discrimination, disability, social exclusion and limited opportunities. During a period when many communities were experiencing loss, isolation and economic hardship, the founders responded with compassion, practical support and a commitment to restoring hope and dignity.
What began as a humble local response in Kabete "N" — Uthiru, distributing food and essential supplies during COVID-19, has grown into a wider movement committed to restoring hope, empowering lives and transforming communities. Although our roots are firmly planted in Nairobi, the Foundation has continued to reach lives beyond the city, extending support and community-based initiatives to individuals and communities in other parts of Kenya, including rural areas.
In 2025, Cistern of Hope Foundation was formally registered in Kenya under the Registrar of Societies as a non-profit organisation, marking an important milestone in our journey. Our Constitution, adopted on 21 June 2024, provides the foundation for our governance, values, leadership, financial accountability and operations.
Who we are
People, not categories
We exist because we believe that poverty should not define the future of a child, a young person, a woman, a family or an entire community. We believe people have abilities, ideas and potential that can be strengthened when they are given opportunity, encouragement, knowledge, practical support and the right partnerships.
We believe that vulnerability or disability should never define a person's identity or determine their future.
A child struggling to remain in school needs more than school fees. They need encouragement, mentorship, protection, accessibility and someone who believes in their potential.
A young person facing limited opportunities needs more than a temporary intervention. A woman experiencing economic hardship needs more than relief. A family supporting a loved one with a disability needs more than immediate assistance.
This understanding shapes the way we work.
The people and communities we serve
- Vulnerable women and girls
- Children and adolescents facing educational, nutritional, menstrual-health or social challenges
- Young people who are unemployed, underemployed or economically vulnerable
- Low-income households and communities
- Women- and youth-led small enterprises
- Small-scale farmers and households seeking sustainable livelihood opportunities
- Persons with disabilities and other socially excluded groups
- Schools, community groups and local structures that contribute to community development
Our purpose
Why Cistern of Hope exists
Vision
To create poverty-free communities, built on sustainable solutions and empowered individuals.
Mission
To eradicate poverty by empowering communities through sustainable initiatives that promote self-reliance, economic development, and social welfare.
Motto
Together for a lasting change.
Our values
The kind of organisation we want to be
Our values are not words we keep on paper. They describe the way we want to relate to the people and communities we serve.
Empathy
We seek to understand people's circumstances and respond with compassion, dignity and humanity.
Integrity
We are committed to honesty, transparency, responsible use of resources and accountability.
Sustainability
We favour solutions that build capacity, self-reliance and long-term community development.
Collaboration
We work with communities, government, donors, organisations and other partners to increase impact.
Respect
We uphold the dignity, rights, inclusion and equal worth of every person.
Innovation
We remain open to practical and creative ways of addressing changing community challenges.
Our approach
From Support to Self-Reliance
We provide compassionate support where urgent needs exist. Wherever circumstances allow, we connect that immediate assistance to longer-term pathways: from relief to empowerment, from empowerment to opportunity, and from opportunity to self-reliance.
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01
Respond
We respond to genuine and identified needs with compassion and accountability.
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02
Restore dignity
We address barriers affecting food, education, hygiene, wellbeing and basic stability.
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03
Empower
We build skills, knowledge, confidence, life skills and enterprise capacity.
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04
Create opportunity
We connect people to education, markets, employment, enterprise, mentors and services.
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05
Build resilience
We strengthen the ability of households and individuals to withstand shocks.
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06
Promote self-reliance
We support sustainable income, learning, community ownership and responsible independence.
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07
Create lasting change
We work toward communities in which people increasingly have the means and agency to improve their own lives.
Where we work
Rooted in Nairobi, reaching beyond it
Our institutional focus is Kenya. We began in Uthiru, Nairobi, and we deepen our work in communities where we have relationships and demonstrated capacity, while extending support to individuals and communities in other parts of Kenya, including rural areas.
We expand to additional communities as resources, partnerships and programme capacity grow. We do not design programmes for communities without listening to communities: our work places importance on community engagement, needs assessment, beneficiary participation, feedback and local ownership.
Leadership & governance
A committed leadership team
As the Foundation continues to grow, we are progressively strengthening our governance, leadership, technical capacity and accountability systems.
Strategic journey
Our Strategic Journey, 2026–2030
Our growth will be deliberate. We want to become stronger as we become larger, not simply larger without the systems required to protect quality, accountability and community trust.
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2026
Establish
We strengthen our institutional foundation, programme systems, safeguarding, documentation, monitoring and donor readiness while consolidating the work already underway.
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2027
Consolidate
We strengthen priority programmes, beneficiary follow-up, partnerships, reporting and resource diversification.
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2028
Scale & review
We review our progress, strengthen evidence and technical capacity, and expand programmes that demonstrate strong results.
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2029
Deepen
We deepen market linkages, corporate partnerships, outcome measurement, institutional learning and sustainability.
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2030
Sustain
We evaluate the five-year journey, document results and lessons, strengthen sustainable models and prepare our next strategic direction.
Theory of change
How change happens in our work
When vulnerable people are connected to appropriate support, skills, education, opportunities, services and relationships, and when communities are enabled to participate in developing sustainable solutions, people can strengthen their capabilities, resilience and self-reliance.
- Needs Poverty and vulnerability limit income, opportunity, education, health, dignity and resilience.
- Inputs Our people, volunteers, funding, partnerships, knowledge, community relationships and systems.
- Activities Education support, enterprise support, skills, counselling, health and nutrition activities, livelihoods, WASH, environmental action and community development.
- Outputs People supported and trained; children reached; enterprises supported; forums held; outreach conducted; referrals made; community structures engaged.
- Short-term change Improved access, knowledge, skills, confidence, dignity and opportunity.
- Medium-term change Stronger livelihoods, improved school participation, better practices, stronger wellbeing and increased resilience.
- Long-term change More self-reliant individuals, stronger households and resilient communities contributing to poverty reduction.
Together, we can create lasting change.
Cistern of Hope Foundation cannot eradicate poverty alone. We welcome partners who want to help build lasting pathways rather than fund one-off activities.