Welcome to MARWACODI — a community journey built on listening, caring and creating opportunities for a better future.
Support should not stop at identifying a problem. Where possible, we work alongside people to find practical solutions that help them move forward.
School fees, uniforms, shoes and other basic needs can become barriers to a child's education. We support vulnerable children with essential school requirements, depending on the resources available to us, and engage with schools and community members to understand the challenges they face.
Access to sanitary towels and accurate information makes an important difference to a girl's comfort, dignity and school experience. We also stand with teenage mothers, who deserve encouragement, respect and opportunities to grow.
Many women want to support their families but lack a reliable income. Our tailoring and hairdressing programs give women practical skills, and we are working towards bringing training closer to the community and supporting them beyond the classroom.
In Mwanjamba we have supported children through appropriate care, footwear, hygiene awareness and community follow-up. Helping children requires more than a one-time intervention, so we continue working with families, schools and health professionals.
People need information before they can make informed decisions about their health. Through community awareness activities we share useful information on health and hygiene, and strengthen connections between community members and appropriate health services.
Alongside vocational training we explore practical livelihood activities — farming, chicken rearing, basket-making, traditional crafts and adding value to local produce — so that women can work towards greater financial independence.
Through Mwanjamba Cultural Tour, powered by MARWACODI, visitors learn about Digo culture, traditions and everyday community life — supporting cultural preservation and creating opportunities for local women and families. Come as a visitor. Leave with a story.
MARWACODI began in Ahero, Nyando County, in 2021, with a simple desire to make a difference in people's lives. From the beginning, I wanted our work to reach people who were struggling and might not always know where to turn for help — to listen to children, girls, young mothers and women, understand their challenges and find practical ways to support them.
There are children whose education is affected because their families cannot afford everything they need. There are girls who struggle with menstrual health and hygiene. There are young mothers who face judgement because they became mothers earlier than expected. There are women who want to work, support their families and become independent, but lack the skills, equipment or resources to get started.
I wanted MARWACODI to be more than an organization with a name. I wanted it to be a place where people could feel heard, where their difficulties mattered, and where we could work together to find a way forward. Our journey began in Nyando, and as our work developed we extended our services to Kwale County, particularly around Mwanjamba and the Ukunda area. The communities may be different, but our commitment remains the same: to listen, to support, to create opportunities and to treat people with dignity.
Training rooms, classrooms, health campaigns and the communities we serve in Nyando and Kwale.
Every person has a story worth hearing. We share these with permission, protecting the identities of children and vulnerable individuals.
Sometimes a meaningful moment is a child receiving the shoes they needed. Sometimes it is a girl receiving sanitary towels and feeling more comfortable attending school. Even when we cannot solve every challenge, the support we offer can still matter.
Behind every child is a family hoping for a better future. Behind every woman attending training is a dream of becoming more independent. Behind every community visit is an opportunity to listen, learn and understand what people need.
We want to share real stories from the people and communities we work with, with care and with permission. Our intention is not to portray people only through their difficulties, but to recognise their courage, their abilities and their dreams.
Trendy Ankara clothing & handmade handicrafts — 100% of proceeds fund vocational training and psychosocial support for young mothers.
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I am Olivia Osano, the founder and director of MARWACODI Community-Based Organization. This work is very close to my heart because I believe people need to feel that somebody sees them, hears them and cares about what happens to them. Life does not always turn out the way we expect, and it can be difficult to keep going when you feel alone or judged.
My journey with MARWACODI began in Ahero, Nyando County, in 2021. Since then we have continued learning, building relationships and looking for ways to respond to the needs of our communities. Extending our work to Kwale County is another step in that journey.
My dream is to see more children continue with their education, more girls feel supported, more women gain skills and earn an income, and more families have the opportunity to build a better future. I may not have all the answers, but I believe that listening, caring and taking action where we can is a good place to start.
To everyone who has supported MARWACODI, worked alongside us, encouraged us or taken the time to learn about our work — thank you. And to those who are just discovering MARWACODI, welcome. I hope you will join us on this journey.
With gratitude,
Olivia Osano
Founder and Director
Together, we can create more opportunities. You can support children's education, contribute towards sanitary towels and hygiene supplies, help provide tailoring or hairdressing equipment, support community health awareness, or help us create opportunities for women to develop sustainable livelihoods. You can also share your professional skills, volunteer your time, explore a partnership with us or visit Mwanjamba Cultural Tour.
Tell us how you would like to support our work and we will get back to you as soon as we can.
MARWACODI is guided by a board of seven people who live and work in the communities we serve. They give their time, their experience and their care so that every programme stays rooted in listening, dignity and shared ownership.
Founder & Chairperson
Founder and Community Development Advocate | MARWACODI CBOOlivia Osano is a Kenyan social worker and founder of MARWACODI CBO, established in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. With over 15 years of experience supporting people living with HIV/AIDS, particularly in Kibera, Nairobi, she is dedicated to empowering vulnerable communities.Through MARWACODI, she supports vulnerable children, adolescent girls, teenage mothers, and families, focusing on education, vocational training, economic empowerment, and community health. Its programs, including Marwa Bintii and Tenda Wema, promote skills development, children's education, and sustainable livelihoods.Guided by her Christian faith and compassion, Olivia is committed to restoring dignity, promoting self-reliance, and creating lasting positive change in communities across Kenya.
Treasurer
Jane Apiyo Okeya is an experienced supply chain, procurement and logistics professional with over 20 years of experience across manufacturing and financial services. She is currently Supply Chain Manager – Packaging Materials at New Kenya Cooperative Creameries (New KCC). Her expertise spans strategic sourcing, supplier relationship management, cost optimization, inventory management and operational efficiency. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Procurement and Supply Chain Management from the University of Nairobi, is a Certified Procurement and Supplies Professional of Kenya (CPSP-K ) and member of Kenya institute of supplies management (KISM)
Strategy operation & Governance
Nadia is an Italian international relations graduate passionate about social entrepreneurship, sustainable tourism, and community development. With international experience across Europe and Africa, she has worked in volunteer coordination, youth engagement, and community-based projects. In Kenya, she worked in community development with projects in education, sustainable agriculture, and environmental protection. Her focus is youth work, in particular with minorities and disadvantaged people. For the past 5 years She has collaborated with different non-profits in project management and implementation. She bring international experience and passion for non-formal education.
HEAD OF FUND RAISING
Stephanie Amerman is an international business leader and hospitality and operations consultant with over 20 years of experience across Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Europe, and the United States. She specialises in strategic planning, business development, financial management, stakeholder engagement, and partnership building.At MarwaCodi, Stephanie leads fundraising and partnerships, leveraging her extensive network and experience with investors, businesses, developers, and local communities to secure funding and build strategic relationships. Passionate about community empowerment, she is committed to strengthening the organisation’s sustainability and creating meaningful, lasting opportunities for the communities it serves.
Head of It
Justin Nigel Obadia is a young Kenyan entrepreneur, trader, and aspiring professional basketball player with a passion for business, financial markets, and personal development.He is driven by a strong ambition to build successful businesses, develop financial independence, and pursue his dream of playing professional basketball. Through trading and entrepreneurship, Justin continues to explore opportunities for growth, innovation, and financial success.With a determined mindset and a commitment to continuous learning, he aims to create a meaningful impact while inspiring other young people to pursue their ambitions, embrace opportunities, and believe in their potential.
If you would like to support MARWACODI, partner with us, or simply ask a question, our team would be glad to hear from you.
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