Date of foundation of the YMCA:  1910

Membership Status: Full Member

Full member of the World Alliance of YMCAs since: 1961

The YMCA was first established in Nairobi in 1910 as a provincial council of the British YMCA but was discontinued in 1932 due to lack of funds and leadership. The government took over the building; property assets were sold and proceeds held by the government against the re-establishment of the YMCA.

It was not until 1943 that work was done again in the name of YMCA. Through the War Prisoners' Aid of the World Alliance, the YMCA began work among the Italian prisoners of war in some 58 camps in Kenya.

In 1947 the Government provided an excellent site for a new building which was dedicated in 1950, providing hostel accommodation for 130 young people. The Nairobi centre was enlarged in 1961 and the National council of Kenya YMCA was launched. In 1964 a National council building and a prayer house were erected. Today, the Nairobi Central Branch stands in the same grounds.

Since its inauguration, the National Movement has grown and expanded to many parts of the country. It has centres in all the provinces except one, hence acquiring a real national outlook. It consists of 31 local branches, which operate under the direction of the National General Secretary and the National Executive Committee.

The Shauri Moyo centre started as boys' club in the early 1950's has grown tremendously. It now consists of a hostel with a capacity of 100 beds, a gymnasium, our largest vocational training centre and a public library. The centre is one of the most active around the country with a membership exceeding 1000.

On a 20-acre plot of land near Lake Naivasha donated to the YMCA in 1960, stands a campsite with excellent accommodation and recreational facilities. Known as the Naivasha YMCA camp, it is a popular resort in the area, attracting both local and foreign tourists. Trips to the nearby Hell's Gate, Lake Nakuru and other tourist sites in the region can be arranged from this camp.

The Limuru Farm Training School which opened in 1962 to train young Africans in modern farming methods has developed to an Agricultural Training Centre for both boys and girls from all over the country. The centre, known as Limuru Agricultural Youth Centre offers a two-year course and caters for 96 youths at any one time, taken from poor families throughout Kenya. The Kenya YMCA is committed to providing this training to needy youth as a way of liberating the individuals and their families economically. The graduates are able to obtain employment in the agricultural sector where their training and capability is well recognised.

Other Vocational Training Centres have been established in most of our branches making vocational training one of our major programmes today. The courses have diversified to include computers (Information Technology) secretarial studies and accounting.

The YMCA has received considerable support from the government and local authorities. This has enabled us acquire plots on which we have set up centres throughout the country. Most of these centres are fully operational offering different services and facilities to the community and are manned by full time staff. The rest, which also offer different programmes in line with our mission are managed by volunteers.

Kenya YMCA over the years made an invaluable contribution to the lives of many young people in Kenya. Many of the youth who received assistance through the children sponsorship programme in the 1970s and 1980s are now working in various fields and are active members of this organisation.

Kenya YMCA is a charitable organisation committed to the improvement of the quality of life of all people both in rural and urban areas. It is voluntary, non-denominational and non-profit organisation. YMCA attracts members from every religion, race, and background, be they men or women young or old, recognising the brotherhood of the human race and the richness of the experience of coming together to share experiences, resources and information for mutual benefit.

Drawn from the Paris Basis and the Kampala Principles, the mission of Kenya YMCA is "to unite those young people who, regarding Jesus Christ as their God and saviour according to the Holy scriptures, desire to be His disciples in their faith and in their life and to associate their efforts for the extension of His kingdom amongst young people."

The purpose of the Kenya YMCA is to attract, bring together and develop members who will spearhead the rendering of Christian service to youth and the community to enable them achieve their foremost needs.

In line with the mission of the worldwide movement, Kenya YMCA seeks to develop people in the three dimensions of body, soul and spirit. It provides opportunities to develop their resources of body, soul and spirit helping them to reach their full potential and encouraging them to render service to the community.

YMCA is committed to pursuing economic and social justice for all with a greater emphasis on youth women and children. It seeks to do this through the provision of training opportunities and support of community development projects as a way of enhancing the chances of economic survival for marginalised and vulnerable groups in society. We seek to avail to as many people as possible the opportunity to realise their full potential and enjoy a full life believing that this is

the core of our Christian mission.

We encourage the local communities to come together and identify their common needs and suggest how the same can be met. It is then that YMCA moves in as a facilitator to support and enable them meet these needs. This ensures that the projects we are involved in remain projects of the local communities hence continuous grassroots support is guaranteed.

Through their participation in our programmes local communities are able to achieve economic development and better living standards. It is this involvement of the local people that makes Kenya YMCA a unique organisation.

Through participating in our programmes, young and old people alike are able to acquire different skills, greater awareness, improved social standards and development of personal resources of mind body and spirit.

YMCA believes in working together with all others, who seek through their efforts and programmes to improve the living conditions of our society and who share our commitment to social and economic justice for all people everywhere.

General Secretary - Mr. Jared Musima
Nairobi
Kenya

E-mail: kenyaymca@wananchi.com
Telephone: 00-254-20-2724-116
Fax: 00-254-2-728-825

For hotel information, please contact YMCA National Offices directly.

Kenya YMCA