Who We Are
Poverty Eradication and Sustainable Action Aid (PESAID) Ke is a Kenyan community-driven development organization working at the intersection of climate action, inclusion and sustainable development.
INCLUSIONSUSTAINABILITYEMPOWERMENT
About Us
We work with special-interest and underserved groups, particularly persons with disabilities, older persons, women and girls, young people, and other climate-vulnerable communities, to ensure that climate and development solutions are inclusive, equitable and responsive to their needs. We address the barriers these communities face through inclusive, practical and sustainable programmes that connect local priorities with partnerships, evidence and policy.
PESAID Ke promotes the meaningful participation of these groups in community development, climate action, livelihoods, leadership and decision-making. Through community-led programmes, strategic partnerships, research, advocacy and policy engagement, we support communities to strengthen livelihoods, build resilience, protect their rights and environment, access opportunities and take an active role in shaping their own future.
Our work is guided by a simple principle: communities should not be treated only as beneficiaries. They should help identify challenges, shape solutions, participate in decisions and lead change.
Vision
Inclusive, sustainable and resilient communities where all people can live with dignity and shape their own futures.
Mission
To empower communities through inclusive, sustainable and community-driven development that addresses poverty and exclusion.
Motto
Inclusion in Action!
Our Core Values
Dignity
We respect the worth, rights and voice of every person.
Inclusion
We create space for everyone to participate, especially people who are often left out.
Community Ownership
We listen to communities and work with them to shape solutions that respond to their realities.
Integrity
We act honestly, responsibly and transparently in our work and relationships.
Sustainability
We support solutions that strengthen people, livelihoods and the environment for the long term.
Collaboration
We believe lasting change happens when communities, organizations and institutions work together.
Empowerment
We support people to build their confidence, opportunities and ability to shape their own futures.
Our Approach
We combine grassroots relationships with programme development, partnership-building, research and policy engagement.
Our Strategic Thematic Areas
PESAID Ke works through five connected programme pillars, supported by research and policy work. These pillars are not separate silos; they are different pathways through which we support special-interest and underserved groups. Inclusion, safeguarding, local ownership, gender responsiveness, evidence and meaningful community participation cut across all our work.
Climate Resilience, Sustainable Agriculture, Water & Coastal Livelihoods
Locally led climate adaptation; climate-smart and regenerative agriculture; food and water security; rainwater harvesting and efficient irrigation; soil, land and ecosystem restoration; mangrove and coastal conservation; sustainable fisheries and aquaculture; blue-economy livelihoods; resilient value chains and nature-based solutions.
Disability Inclusion, Rights & Social Protection
Disability rights and accessibility; assistive technology and referral linkages; inclusive education and livelihoods; social protection; caregiver support; leadership and self-advocacy; reasonable accommodation; and disability-inclusive participation in climate, water and development programmes.
Gender Equality, Health & Wellbeing
Women and girls' empowerment; SRHR; menstrual health; GBV prevention and response; positive masculinity; mental health and psychosocial support; community health; safeguarding; and equitable access to services and opportunities.
Older Persons' Wellbeing, Rights & Social Protection
Promoting the dignity, rights and active participation of older persons; prevention and response to elder abuse; psychosocial wellbeing; social protection and referral linkages; access to livelihood opportunities; community support; intergenerational engagement; and inclusion of older persons in community development and decision-making.
Youth, Livelihoods & Economic Empowerment
Youth leadership and mentorship; entrepreneurship; vocational and digital skills; financial literacy; green jobs; inclusive enterprise; value addition and market linkages; community participation; inclusive sport; and pathways to resilient livelihoods for underserved groups.
Research, Policy, Advocacy & Systems Change
Community-led research; data and evidence generation; needs assessments; policy analysis; learning products and policy briefs; stakeholder dialogue; county and national policy engagement; advocacy; and translating community priorities into institutional and systems change.
What We Bring
We work with communities to understand priorities, then connect those priorities with technical expertise, public institutions, development partners and opportunities for financing, learning and scale.
| Capacity Area | What PESAID Ke Brings |
|---|---|
| Climate, Agriculture, Water & Coastal Livelihoods | Community-based approaches to climate resilience, sustainable agriculture, water security, ecosystem restoration, coastal conservation, aquaculture and resilient livelihoods. |
| Disability, Ageing & Social Inclusion | Experience engaging persons with disabilities, older persons, caregivers and other special-interest groups, with attention to accessibility, rights, protection, participation, social protection and inclusion. |
| Gender & Youth Inclusion | Gender-responsive and youth-inclusive approaches that strengthen participation, leadership, wellbeing and access to opportunities for women, girls and young people. |
| Livelihoods & Economic Empowerment | Community-based livelihoods, entrepreneurship, financial inclusion, skills development, market linkages and inclusive economic opportunities. |
| Community Engagement & Mobilization | Grassroots engagement, community consultations, stakeholder mobilization and meaningful participation of communities in programme design and implementation. |
| Program Development | Community-informed concept development, project design, implementation planning and partner coordination. |
| Strategic Partnerships & Resource Mobilization | Building relationships across government, civil society, community networks, technical organizations, development partners and funders, while identifying partnership and funding opportunities. |
| Research, Policy & Advocacy | Community consultations, needs assessments, evidence generation, policy analysis, learning products, stakeholder engagement and advocacy for inclusive policy and systems change. |
Selected Experience & Achievements
3,000+
mangroves planted with partners and coastal communities
500+ kg
waste removed through coastal and beach clean-ups
6
programme areas delivered with communities and partners
Climate, agriculture and water resilience
Supported community climate action and sustainable livelihood approaches including climate-smart agriculture, water conservation, food systems, beekeeping, aquaculture and locally led adaptation.
Coastal and marine ecosystems
Worked alongside partners and coastal communities on mangrove planting and beach clean-ups, while promoting marine conservation, biodiversity protection and environmental awareness.
Disability inclusion and family support
Engaged disability networks and communities in Kilifi and Mombasa, supported access to assistive devices, and developed collaboration with Kurunzi Cerebral Palsy Centre around children with cerebral palsy, caregivers, therapy, inclusive sport and family wellbeing.
Social protection and wellbeing
Participated in county-level coordination on older persons' rights and protection, community awareness on elder abuse, psychosocial wellbeing and baseline research on protection needs in Kilifi County.
Livelihoods and economic opportunities
Promoted sustainable livelihoods, enterprise thinking, value addition and community-based approaches that strengthen household resilience and income opportunities.
Gender and youth leadership
Supported SRHR education, gender-responsive programming, youth engagement, mental wellbeing and mentorship of emerging leaders developing community initiatives.
Research, policy and global engagement
Contributed community perspectives to national and international climate and development forums, including youth climate processes, COP-related engagement, SB62 and the Berlin climate mobility dialogue, while strengthening PESAID Ke's research and policy direction.
Priority Communities & Special-Interest Groups
Our Leadership
Governance responsibilities are separated from day-to-day programme and operational functions, supporting accountability, programme quality, clear decision-making and community trust.
Teresa Auma Opondo
Co-Executive Director
Provides overall executive and strategic leadership, guiding the organization's vision, direction and institutional growth. She leads high-level representation and stakeholder engagement, oversees organizational performance and governance, and drives strategic partnerships and resource mobilization.
Faith Ongiri
Co-Executive Director (Programs, Policy & Partnerships Portfolio) at PESAID ke
Works alongside the Executive Director in providing strategic leadership, while leading programmes, policy and research, strategic partnerships and institutional representation. She supports organizational decision-making and drives partnerships that contribute to the organization's growth.
Neville Agesa Mise
Program Manager — Marine, Coastal & Blue Economy
Leads work on coastal resilience, marine and coastal ecosystems, mangrove restoration, sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, blue-economy livelihoods and related community partnerships.
Polycarp Ochieng
Communications Director
Leads communications, visibility and public engagement, overseeing messaging, storytelling, media and social media content, documentation of programmes and communication materials, while supporting campaigns and events.
Annah Wangui Wambui
Gender & Inclusion Manager
Leads gender and inclusion work, with a focus on gender equality, women and girls' empowerment, GBV awareness and referral linkages, inclusive programme design, community engagement and meaningful participation in development opportunities.
Austine Opiyo
IT & Digital Systems Lead
Leads digital systems, website development and management, IT support, troubleshooting and technology-related improvements.
Governance & Accountability
PESAID Ke maintains a governance and management structure designed to support accountability, programme quality, clear decision-making and community trust.
- Founders
- Board / Governing Committee
- Executive Management
- Program and Technical Leads
- Members and Community Volunteers
Institutional Strengthening
We continue to strengthen our institutional systems to support responsible growth, accountability and effective partnerships. Key areas include:
Partners & Networks
Complex development challenges require collaboration. We work with community groups, county and national government actors, civil society organizations, disability and older persons' networks, women and youth groups, technical partners, private-sector actors and international development networks.
Sustainable Development Goals
Our programme pillars contribute particularly to:
Work With Us
We welcome partnerships that combine community knowledge with technical expertise, financing, research, technology, policy influence or market access. Priority areas include climate resilience, sustainable agriculture and water security; coastal and blue-economy livelihoods; disability inclusion and social protection; gender, health and wellbeing; youth and economic empowerment; and research, policy and advocacy.
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