Our Spaces of Hope and Opportunity

At Wanawake kwa Wanawake (WkW), our centres are more than just buildings—they are safe havens and hubs of learning and transformation. The WkW Centre is the vibrant heart of our work, providing education, training, and support to hundreds of women and students every year.

Beyond this, Salama House offers a safe, nurturing home for at-risk girls, while Otiende House expands our reach as both a women’s training hub and a refuge for vulnerable boys.

Together, these spaces form a strong network of support and empowerment, giving individuals the tools and confidence to break free from poverty and build brighter futures.

Wanawake kwa Wanawake (WkW) Centre

  • The WkW Centre was established to meet growing demand—outgrowing the humble beginnings in storage containers and rented rooms of the Frank Chappell informal school.

    • The site was purchased in 2011 thanks to the generous support of Pam and Paul Vanderzalm

    • Purpose-built, 3-storey building completed in 2013 with major donations from Noel O’Brien, Sandy & Tony Kirkhope, and Aleks & Anette Kulesza

    Today, the WkW Centre is the vibrant heart of our Nairobi operations:

    • Home to 11 full-time staff coordinating education, training, and welfare

    • Supports up to 350 students and hundreds of women every year

    • Provides a safe space for learning, growth, and empowerment

    Key services and programs include:

    • Sponsorship programs (Primary, Secondary & Tertiary)

    • Digital Literacy & life skills known as the ICT program for GAP year students

    • Women’s training programs

    • Student holiday activities

    • Meals and counselling services

    • Crisis response and management

    The WkW Centre is bursting with life and activity, driving real, lasting impact as it helps break the cycle of poverty.

Salama House

  • Salama House—meaning “safe”—was purchased in 2018 thanks to the incredible generosity of Pam & Paul Vanderzalm and Sandy & Tony Kirkhope.

    • Located within a secure, gated community just 500 meters from the WkW Centre

    • A 3-bedroom home providing refuge for up to 14 girls aged 6–22 at risk

    • Offers a safe, nurturing family environment with the care and support of a dedicated house “mother”

    • All residents are sponsored through Women for Women in Africa (WFWIA)

    • Also serves as holiday accommodation for girls attending boarding schools

    Expansion & Renovation

    • Renovated and extended in 2025, increasing capacity to accommodate 20 girls

    • Officially opened by the Australian High Commissioner to East Africa, Jenny Da Rin, in June 2025

    • This vital upgrade was made possible by the continued generosity of the Vanderzalm family

    Salama House is a critical safe haven, empowering vulnerable girls to thrive in a supportive, loving environment.

Otiende House

    • Acquired due to growing demand, funded by the generosity of Michael & Mandy Buckley and the Noel & Carmel O’Brien Foundation

    • Located just 500 meters from the WkW Centre for easy access and integration

    • A simple house with outdoor tin sheds that create versatile spaces for women’s training programs, study groups, and workshops

    • Provides a private safe house for up to 8 vulnerable young boys who were abandoned or at risk in Kibera

    • Situated in the multi-storey development zone of Otiende Centre

    • Redevelopment plans are underway to transform Otiende House into a purpose-built facility, expanding its capacity and impact

    Otiende House is a vital extension of WkW’s mission—supporting vulnerable youth and empowering women through education and training.