NGOs Provide Counseling to Vulnerable Learners in Nairobi Estates

In Nairobi’s informal settlements, several non-governmental organizations are stepping up to support students facing mental health challenges by offering school-based counseling and psychosocial services. Through tailored interventions, NGOs like Cheherma provide low‑intensity mental health support directly in slum communities, running group sessions and support groups to give young learners a safe space to share, heal and build resilience.
Another active organization is the Shalom Centre for Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation (SCCRR), which works in schools across neighborhoods such as Kibera, Mathare, and Kariobangi. SCCRR supports peace education through Peace Clubs, helping students not only manage interpersonal conflict but also access trauma-awareness counseling. These clubs are led by trained peers and facilitators who guide sessions on emotional regulation, problem-solving and healing from violence.
Beyond direct mental health work, community-based groups are also building mentoring and support structures. For example, the Integrated Education for Community Empowerment (IECE), as part of a broader school‑health intervention in Nairobi informal settlements, deploys lay youth mentors to identify learners in distress and facilitate referrals to more intensive psychosocial care. These lay mentors also run life-skills and peer‑support activities in their communities.
The involvement of these NGOs has had meaningful impact. According to reports, counseling and mentorship programs have contributed to improved self-confidence among students, better coping with school pressures, and reduced behavioral risks. Parents and teachers in the settlements express relief that young people now have accessible support where previously none existed. If sustained and scaled up, these programs have the potential to become a critical part of Nairobi’s school-health ecosystem—and a model for psychosocial care in similarly underserved contexts.