Ready Aiders @10
About a decade ago, at Dagoretti High School in Nairobi, four boys- James Kamau, Kenneth Apopa, James Musau, and Nick Mwangi- discovered something profound: the power of compassion backed by action. What began as a small, informal initiative to support underprivileged classmates by providing them with necessities like school supplies, pocket money, and fare soon evolved into a movement grounded in empathy, justice, and service to humanity.
From those early acts of kindness, the Ready Aiders Foundation was born. In 2015, Ready Aiders Foundation was officially registered under Kenya’s Societies Act, and in 2020, it was formally recognized by the NGO Board of Kenya. With this milestone, the Foundation expanded its vision to serve Kenya’s most marginalized communities, especially youth, women, and individuals living with disabilities.
Today, Ready Aiders Foundation stands as a powerful force for social change, rooted in one of Nairobi’s toughest yet most resilient neighborhoods: Mathare.
In 2021, the Foundation fundraised and established a community ICT lab for girls in Mathare. By 2022, classes had begun. Since then, over 700 girls have graduated with essential digital skills, learning everything from basic computer packages to graphic design. This initiative continues to bridge the gender gap in tech, opening new doors for young women who would otherwise be left behind in the digital economy.
Beyond tech, Ready Aiders has been committed to providing comprehensive support to children with disabilities since 2017. Through a partnership with Step Up 4 Autism, the organization offers free therapy services, delivering occupational, speech, physiotherapy, and behavioral therapy to children with neurodevelopmental and physical disabilities, including Autism Spectrum Disorder, Cerebral Palsy, and Down Syndrome. In 2017, Ready Aiders and Step Up 4 Autism also launched Mr. and Miss Autism Kenya, a unique event designed to promote awareness, foster inclusion, and bring together stakeholders from across the country. Now an annual highlight, the event not only challenges stigma but also helps raise funds to support free therapy programs for children with autism. And to further expand the discussion, the organization spearheaded the Inaugural Autism in East Africa Symposium, which brought together key stakeholders from across the East Africa region in April 2025.
The Foundation runs feeding programs for “Special families” in the slums, providing monthly food packages to ensure families receive essential nourishment. These efforts, along with therapy services, have helped many children reach key developmental milestones. Through Ready Aiders TV, the organization also amplifies voices and shares impactful stories that foster awareness and inspire change in underserved communities.
As we mark ten years, we recognize that none of our achievements would have been possible without the unwavering support of our donors, partners, and the communities we serve. Your commitment has fueled our journey, enabling us to create lasting change and impact. We remain committed to our mission, and we envision a society that fully recognizes, embraces, and integrates people with disabilities, while empowering women, girls, and youth to become change agents within their communities.
