About Us

Who We Are

We are a Nairobi-based African non-profit that exists to accelerate quality, affordable childcare in Africa. 

We create partnerships with governments and non-state actors to develop the childcare ecosystem and catalyze systemic change in how society addresses the childcare crisis. Our collaborative approach consistently prioritizes childcare workers while placing children at the centre and governments in the lead.

Founded in 2019, we are building the Network of Women in Childcare in Kenya, which currently has 7000 members.  We have led childcare policy reforms at national level, and built the Collaborative Action for Childcare (CAC) platform to advance collective action and impact within the childcare ecosystem in Africa.

Our new Strategic Plan (2023-2030) sees us deepen our work in Kenya and progressively expand to other countries in Africa, starting with Malawi, Ghana, Uganda, Tanzania and Zimbabwe

Our Strategic Pillars

Vision

Together we envision a time when all children 0-8 have access to quality, affordable childcare, thereby being able to survive and thrive. A time when girls and women carers have a supportive working environment and all families are able to access quality and affordable childcare.

Mission

Uthabiti Africa exists to make sure all children 0-8 years old across Africa have an opportunity to survive and thrive.

How do we Achieve it?

We work collaboratively with a broad range of actors in the childcare ecosystem in Africa. With government in the lead, and with a focus on empowering female childcare workers, we enable children (0 – 8 years) to access quality, affordable childcare.

Where we Work

We are deepening our work in Kenya with the national and county governments, and progressively expanding to Malawi, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Ghana, Uganda Rwanda, Ethiopia and other African countries.

Our Impact

We catalyze investments in gender-transformative solutions that accelerate quality, affordable childcare for millions of children in Africa., with a specific focus on empowering the millions of marginalised and under-served caregivers.

We will create a network of 100,000 childcare workers, accelerating the growth of women-led childcare enterprises and forever changing how childcare workers are treated in Africa. This will result in millions of children getting quality affordable childcare.

We will work with governments, the AU and other regional bodies to ensure there are sufficient policies and regulations at national and local level to ensure all children in Africa get a good start in life, 

We will be the partner of choice for policy and regulatory reform on childcare, thereby transforming the lives of millions of children and their carers, with governments in the lead. Our work will be grounded in the experiences of women carers in Africa.

With the Collaborative Action for Childcare as our signature initiative, we will bring together governments, civil societies, the private sector and other organizations to amplify childcare as a critical facet of Africa’s current and future development.

Team Uthabiti Africa

 

Advisory Board Members

Christine Odero

Christine Odero

Advisory Board Member

Josephine Odhiambo

Josephine Odhiambo

Advisory Board Member

Victor Katchika Jere

Victor Katchika Jere

Advisory Board Member

Asayya Imaya

Asayya Imaya

Founder and CEO

Esther Gathigi

Esther Gathigi

Advisory Board Member

Board Members

CS. Serah E. Okumu

CS. Serah E. Okumu

Board Chair

Jean Chitsanzo Sauti-Phiri

Jean Chitsanzo Sauti-Phiri

Board Member

Ednah Ojee

Ednah Ojee

Board Member

Pauline Kwoba

Pauline Kwoba

Board Member

Victor Katchika Jere

Victor Katchika Jere

Board Member

Asayya Imaya

Asayya Imaya

Founder and CEO

Members of Staff

Asayya Imaya

Asayya Imaya

Founder & CEO

Noah Kipkoech

Noah Kipkoech

Chief Operations Officer

Elizabeth Amuom

Elizabeth Amuom

Community Outreach Associate

Vivian Chemesunde

Vivian Chemesunde

Admin and Programs Assistant

Janeffer Muteti

Janeffer Muteti

CAC Coordinator

Amanda Temko

Amanda Temko

Programme Assistant

Asha Bakari

Asha Bakari

Coordinator, Policy and Partnerships

Steven Otieno

Steven Otieno

Coordinator, Financial Inclusion

Florence Muanga

Florence Muanga

Human Resources Specialist

Belinda Ouma

Belinda Ouma

Coordinator, Women in Childcare

Jacinta Gatebe

Jacinta Gatebe

Accountant

Funders

Conrad N. Hilton Foundation
Roddenberry Foundation

Our Partners

Kenya National Government
Kenya National Government
Council of Governors
Mombasa County Government
Nairobi City County
Busia County Govt
Kisumu County Govt
Kajiado County Government
ABSA Bank Kenya
ECD Network of Kenya
Oxfam
APHRC
The Aga Khan Foundation
ECDAN
Kidogo
Daraja Civic Initiatives
Tiny Totos
Catholic Relief Services
The Centre
WUSC
ChildFund
Aga Khan University Institute
PATH
Community Initiatives Agenda
KMET
Faraja Foundation
Catalyst 2030
Family Bank
Family Bank Foundation
Densey Tours & Travel
Global Schools Forum
WEECoP
LREB
AfECN
ECDAN
DoT Kenya
OAY
UoN WEEHub
KMET
CABI
COVAW
Concern Worldwide
WOLREC
EAPN
LightUp Impact
Agulu Lounge (Feeding Hope Initiative)
MovingWorlds
TETEC
Opportunity Collaboration
Wowmom Kenya
Ubuntu
CCGD
Global Justice Group
Save The Children
SHOFCO
SOS CV Kenya
Plan International
LPSA