Food safety is a major problem that plagues the slums of Nairobi. Child malnutrition is widespread (with peaks of acute malnutrition in the poorest families), as well as chronic diarrhea and protein deficiency. Alarming percentages of children (about 50%) suffer from growth arrest. The link between hunger, malnutrition and HIV is very strong, considering that AIDS orphans are increasing in numbers.

The overall objective of the project "Food safety in the Mathare and Korogocho slums" is to reduce poverty and social exclusion in the informal settlements of Nairobi, working on three factors that are key to combating food insecurity in the cities: urban agriculture, family economy and environment. In Mathare the project involved the creation of four community gardens on a total area of ​​2,000 square meters.

Two existing gardens have been enhanced with a pilot fish-farming project and the construction of a phytoremediation system (with the collaboration CETAB LAB – of the Faculty of Engineering of University of Brescia). The first two areas have been equipped with systems for sourcing water. The project also provided for the setting up of three animal farming schemes (for a total of 450 chickens), in collaboration with the Faculty of Agriculture and Zootechnics, University of Milan.

The most vulnerable families and youth groups are currently being supported for a total of 250 beneficiaries, who in addition to being able to access the food products receive vocational training articulated through a program of workshops held by agronomists and experts of livestock, fish-farming and phytoremediation system.

All community groups participating in the project are gathered in a network through an info point and a series of meetings with stakeholders to discuss problems and to protect the projects from pollution caused by waste.