Hi! My name is Valéria, and I’m currently in Kibera, Kenya, volunteering with the Okolea Mtaa Foundation — which in Swahili means Community Support Foundation.

Volunteering has always been a dream of mine. I was born in Portugal, so I’ve always been aware of how privileged that makes me and how unfair the differences in quality of life can be around the world. I know that simply donating money wasn’t enough — I wanted to truly understand what life is like for these communities and to contribute with my time, energy and love in person. I’ve personally funded my entire trip here, but now I’m reaching out for your help — not for me, but for the incredible community I’ve had the privilege to be part of.

Okolea Mtaa Foundation (OMF) focuses on developing children’s artistic and athletic skills because, for many of them, this is the only way to continue their education. While some schools in Kibera are public, students still have to pay small fees that many families simply cannot afford. As a result, most children can only attend secondary school through art or sports scholarships.

Daniel, the project’s founder, knows this reality firsthand — he was only able to attend high school thanks to a football scholarship. Today, he dedicates his life to giving back to the community where he was born and raised, creating opportunities for children to dream bigger and build a better future.

The passion and hope that fuel this project are truly inspiring.

Our main goal with this fundraiser is to raise money for new football equipment for the junior teams. To give you a sense of perspective, a full set — including a t-shirt, shorts, socks and football boots — costs only €14.50 per child.

Any extra funds raised will go toward finishing the construction of a community library at the Okolea Mtaa Center, where children come after school for dance and painting classes. As their summer holidays approach, we want to provide a space where they can keep learning, stay creative, and continue developing their skills.

Every contribution, no matter how small, makes a difference. Together, we can help keep these kids learning, playing, and dreaming.

Thank you so much for your support. ❤️