Celebrating 24 years of community-led impact, and looking ahead to a new chapter in Mukuru, Kiambiu, and Kibera
Every day across Africa, civil society champions do essential work: helping people, amplifying community voices, and protecting human rights. The Africa CSO Awards exist to celebrate and elevate the organizations and individuals driving community-led development, making their impact visible, recognized, and amplified across the continent.
At the just concluded Africa CSO Awards 2026, held at the TradeMark Hotel, Polycom Girls was honored to receive a prestigious award from EPIC-Africa. The recognition comes as we celebrate our 24th year of impact and service.
From a Self-Help Group to a Fully Fledged NGO
Our story began as a Self-Help Group, a small circle of people committed to lifting one another up. Over the years, that circle grew into a Community-Based Organization, and today Polycom Girls is a fully fledged NGO with a presence in four counties across Kenya.
That journey would not have been possible without the visionary leadership of Jane Anyango. Her dedication, her belief in community-led change, and her determination to keep our work on the global map have shaped who we are. Jane, congratulations. This award is a reflection of your leadership and of the many hands that have built this work alongside you.
A Pivotal Moment
This recognition could not come at a better time. We are preparing to implement the Women, Peace and Security Project in three informal settlements: Mukuru, Kiambiu, and Kibera.
These are communities where women and girls hold enormous potential and often carry the heaviest burdens. Through this project, we will work to strengthen their voices and leadership in building peace and security in the places they call home.
The Pillars That Guide Us
Everything we do is anchored in four pillars:
- Connect: building bridges between communities, partners, and opportunities.
- Co-create: designing solutions with communities, not for them.
- Champion: standing up for the rights, voices, and leadership of women and girls.
- Celebrate: recognizing the achievements, big and small, that move communities forward.
This award reaffirms our commitment to these pillars and to driving transformational change.
Gratitude
To EPIC-Africa, thank you for this remarkable recognition. To our partners, supporters, and the communities we serve, thank you for walking this journey with us. Every milestone we celebrate is shared with you.
As we step into the next chapter, our promise is simple: together, we will continue to inspire hope, create opportunities, and transform lives.
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