The Jua
FOUNDATION
MISSION
Our mission is to end child landfill labor by providing educational opportunities and essential support to children in the Dandora dumpsite in Nairobi, Kenya.
At The Jua Foundation, we believe education is one of the most powerful tools for breaking the cycle of poverty. Through scholarships, essential school supplies and community engagement, we work to remove financial barriers to education in order to create a future where no child has to resort to landfill labor.
76
children trasitioned into the classroom through scholarships
58
families supported through access to education
10
extracurricular activities to expand learning outside the classroom
Our Impact
Since our inception, we have transitioned 76 children out of landfill labor and into the classroom by providing scholarships that make education accessible. Our commitment goes beyond enrollment: each scholarship covers a full year of school costs, essential supplies and ongoing support to help our scholars arrive prepared, remain in school and have the opportunity to succeed.
Living alongside one of Africa’s largest landfills, our scholars experience firsthand the impact of global waste and overconsumption on their communities. This reality shapes our commitment to sustainability, which we weave throughout our educational programs by promoting environmental awareness, resourcefulness and sustainable practices.
By removing the financial barriers that can force children to work in the landfill instead of attending school, we are creating a pathway to a safer, more hopeful future. Through education and a commitment to sustainability, we aim to break the cycle of poverty and empower children to build a brighter future for themselves, their families and their community.
ABOUT DANDORA
The Dandora dumpsite in Nairobi, Kenya, is East Africa’s largest landfill, where thousands of community members rely on waste picking as a primary source of income to support themselves and their families.
For families living in the Dandora dumpsite community, waste picking is often a primary source of income. Every day, adults and children sift through hazardous waste in search of recyclable materials, such as plastic, metal and glass, to sell to recyclers, earning approximately $3 USD.
The Jua Foundation works with this community, supporting child waste pickers and the children of waste pickers. For many families, the cost of school fees, uniforms and essential supplies puts education out of reach. By removing these financial barriers and providing access to education, we help children transition from the landfill to the classroom, creating opportunities to break the cycle of poverty and build a brighter future for generations to come.
Life in Dandora
