What We Do
The Mombasa Relief Initiative (MRI) was conceived based on the collective vision of seven Americans and two Kenyans who wanted to find a uniform way to provide help and assistance to the children of Mombasa, Kenya. Beginning in 1993, these individuals started going to Kenya on vacation to buy art for sale in the U.S. These trips grew into a great love for the people and culture of Kenya. Eventually, in March 2001, they formed MRI, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. MRI’s mission is to serve the children of Mombasa, Kenya through three key initiatives: (1) Health (2) Education and (3) Economic Empowerment. These initiatives are addressed in several programs, one of which is our Feminine Products Program.
Programs
Our education initiatives have provided the tools necessary for students to be successful, such as student sponsorships, text books, desks, electricity and other basic school supplies.
Our Health programs focus on education and intervention to address basic and critical health needs. We provide feminine products, HIV/Aids workshops, mosquito nets, nutrition programs and much more.
We empower Kenyans through our Poultry Program, Cow Purchase Program and other training programs that allow them to provide their own food and resources.
Education Programs
- STUDENT SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM
This is MRI’s oldest running program. It pays the annual school fees of deserving students and seeks to create a relationship between student and sponsor. Since its inception this program has paid the school fees of hundreds of students. This program is actively seeking donors to sponsor students.
- TEACHER'S SALARY PROGRAM
This program either pays for school teachers’ salary or provides a bonus to teachers at select schools. In 2016, all teachers at one school were provided a bonus of one month’s pay from MRI.
- SHIPPING PROGRAM
High risk, high reward program. The reward is the shipping of much needed school and medical supplies to Mombasa via an ocean freight container. The risk is dealing with the Port of Mombasa which can be frustrating due to corruption. This program was started because of the lack of desks and books at the schools we support. We have shipped 4 ocean freight containers over the last 15 years and now there are desks in every classroom. At this time we have no plans to do another shipment.
Health Programs
- FEMININE HYGIENE PROGRAM
Female students were missing school every month due to lack of sanitary napkins. Since 2007 we have provided sanitary napkins to 200 girls every month. This program also provides undergarments for female students.
- LUNCH PROGRAM
MRI provides lunch for two of our sponsored schools two to five days per week. Additional sponsorship is needed in this area.
- HEALTH CLINIC PARTNERSHIP
We currently partner with Tumaini Children’s Home. This is a thriving school for children who are impacted by the AIDS epidemic.
Economic Enrichment Programs
- GIRL POWER
In Kenya young girls face more obstacles than any other group or demographic. They are the last to be educated and the first to be exploited. Since our inception in 2001, the Mombasa Relief Initiative has always been sensitive to the needs of young female students. Student sponsorship, girls’ seminars and feminine hygiene program are all geared to empower girls in Mombasa and keep them in school. In 2014 we started an all-encompassing program named “Girl power” this program will provide educational, vocational and internships to the female students we support.
- INFRASTRUCTURE INITIATIVE
While not a program this initiative has included installing water lines, water pumps, reservoir tanks, electricity, bathrooms, computer labs, libraries and other vocational equipment in the schools we support.
- EGGS FOR EMPOWERMENT
This program incorporates all three of the initiatives listed in our mission statement. The 500 layers add protein to the students’ diet (Health); the students will be transported to the chicken coop daily and will be taught the proper way to raise chickens and cows (Education); and the coop will sell enough eggs to be self-sustaining (Empowerment).
- BOYS TO MEN
Boys to men is a program designed to improve the self-confidence of young men through sports and social interaction.
Membership
Helping a Village Raise a Child
We invite you to be part of the MRI family in a new and different way. For many years, many of you have asked about membership. We’ve been listening and would like you to help us kick off our 2021 Membership Drive in a big way. Join MRI for only $25 and help us have a great drive. Invite others to join!
- 1 year membership from the date payment is received
- A hand-carved MRI membership keychain
- MRI newsletter (okay, you can get this even if you’re not a member)
A priceless opportunity to be part of an organization that is making a huge difference in the lives of 1000’s of children! - We’re working on special offers that will be available to our members, partners and sponsors! We’ll keep you posted.
There are two steps to completing the membership process.
First, complete the registration form to the right. To receive a hand-carved membership keychain, you must provide your full mailing address with zip code.
Second, you will need to click the “Donate” button above to pay for your membership.
We appreciate your support!
Membership Form
Annual Trip
Join Us for our Annual Meeting and Volunteer Service Trip to Kenya
In 2023, the Mombasa Relief Initiative will host two trips to Mombasa, Kenya. We would love for you to join us! We encourage our volunteers, donors and those who want to experience a mixture of a mission trip with a wonderful vacation to join us. We have years of experience in coordinating trips to Kenya.
Trip Details:
- Rates are subject to change if initial $500 non-refundable deposit is not received above mentioned date.
- If payment has been made and there is a need to cancel trip prior to us purchasing airline ticket and/or other paid/committed services, we will refund amount paid minus the initial $500 non-refundable deposit.