JULY 2025 Coffee World Change Initiative
The Care Package That Does More: Meeting Real Needs in Mathare
Here at Coffee World, we believe the most powerful brew isn’t made in a pot, but in a community. It’s a blend of hope, opportunity, and practical support that can really percolate through people’s lives. This July, we remained firm in our ongoing commitment to support the incredible Young Teens In Talent hub in the Mathare (informal settlements) in Nairobi.
Young Teens In Talent, founded and run by the tireless Moses, is a sanctuary for over 80 kids and young adults. It’s more than a community centre; it’s a studio, a classroom, a rehearsal space, and for many, a home away from home. When we learned about their work in early 2024– nurturing talent in dance, modelling, and the arts while providing essential support around education and care – we knew we had to help fuel their mission.
When we heard a friend would be flying to Kenya and visiting the hub, we immediately asked Moses what they needed most. Having a safe and affordable way to send items to East Africa is a challenge at the best of times, so someone flying with a spare, empty suitcase is a Godsend. Moses’ list wasn’t about grand gestures; it was about the practical, everyday items that remove small barriers and create big opportunities. So, in June, we got to work collecting these very items to fill a suitcase with goodies.
Here’s how your support is making a direct impact:
- Lights, Camera, Action (and Education!): We sent a small, portable projector. This isn’t just for movie nights (though those are important for the kids who often sleep over on mattresses on the studio floor before a big event!). It’s a vital tool for showing educational material, tutorials, and inspiring films to a whole group at once.
- Grooming and Glam: For a modelling team, presentation is part of the craft. To save on constant costs and give them independence, we included two hair clippers for the boys, two pairs of straighteners, and a powerful hairdryer – meaning the girls no longer have to pay at a local salon every hair wash day. A garment steamer will ensure their performance clothes are stage-ready, instilling pride in every thread.
- The Sound of Progress: Practice makes perfect, and a collection of Bluetooth speakers will amplify their music and dance sessions, helping them hone their talents and harmonise as a team.
- Nourishing the Community: A small, portable spice grinder might seem trivial, but it will help the team prepare nutritious, flavourful meals for everyone, turning meal prep into a communal labour of love.
- Tools for a Digital Age: In today’s world, content creation is key. We sent a couple of pre-loved smartphones for the older teens to document their work, build their social media presence, and connect with a wider audience. Adding to this, a surplus Coffee World laptop will become a cornerstone for learning, research, and administrative work.
- A Little Something for Moses: We all know that founder who burns the candle at both ends. Moses works seven days a week (yes, really), walks countless steps, and gets very little sleep managing his huge extended family of 80+. We sent a Fitbit not just to count those steps, but in the hope he can also monitor and prioritise his own well-being. He can’t pour from an empty cup!
We also cleared out our pre-rebrand storage and included a bundle of our vintage Coffee World fleeces. It’s wonderful to know our old logo will be kept warm by such an inspiring new generation.
This delivery was a mix of brand-new items and lovingly donated pre-loved gear, each chosen with a specific purpose in mind. It’s a practical investment in dignity, creativity, and self-sufficiency.
To Moses and every single member of Young Teens In Talent: you are an inspiration. Thank you for letting us play a small part in your huge story.
This is what change brews like.