Location & context
Remba Island lies in Lake Victoria, Kenya, home to an estimated 10,000 people, mainly fisherfolk. Despite its vibrant fishing trade, the island struggles with deep poverty, poor health services, crime, and very low school attendance. Women in particular face exploitation through “sex-for-fish” practices, which perpetuate gender inequality and health risks.
Power for the People (PFP) began working with the community on Remba in 2019 to create alternative livelihoods, strengthen food security, and improve opportunities for children. Guided by our Handshakes Not Handouts approach, we focus on equipping local groups with the tools, training, and networks they need to thrive.
Our initial community mapping and consultation revealed a number of inter-linked pressing issues facing the Remba community:
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Dependence on a single, fragile fishing economy.
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Gender-based exploitation of women (sex-for-fish).
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Malnutrition and limited food diversity.
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Lack of access to clean water and sanitation facilities.
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Poor educational access and progression to secondary school, with just a single Primary school serving the Island.
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Lack of sustainable, community-led enterprises.
This short video highlights some of the challenges facing the women of Remba and introduces our poultry farming initiative with Remba Women’s Group.
Hear Madam Jacqueline, former Remba Primary teacher and Chair of Remba Women’s Group, talk about challenges for girls on Remba.
Partners & approach
Our work on Remba has been possible thanks to collaboration with:
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Local community leaders and self-help groups
Funding partners & sponsors
In 2024 we facilitated the development of Remba Community Development Committee and helped them to register as a Community-Based Organisation. We work closely with RCDC to prioritise sustainability and local ownership, with projects run by local groups and PFP in a supporting role.
What we have delivered
Our work on Remba has delivered transformational change for the Island’s community, including:
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Access to clean, plentiful water for 10,000 residents through an innovative technology from Wable Maji Safi which pumps and treats the lake water, dispensing from ATM-enabled water kiosk.
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Improved sanitation and hygiene through refurbishment of latrines that had fallen into disrepair, and introducing Black Soldier Fly technology to treat human waste led by Tumaini Youth Group.
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Proving livelihoods and business training to 10 self-help groups and providing start-up finance to the first five loan-ready groups via our Revolving Loan Fund.
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Construction of 2 new classrooms at Remba Primary School, matched by the Sub-County MP and County Department for Education to provide 4 classrooms in total.
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Equipping, powering and connecting a Window to the World ICT Hub and Library benefitting 400+ Remba pupils. Working with our partners at CWE-Tech to deliver a digital literacy training programme benefitting initially 10 teachers and 107 pupils, now cascaded to a further 336 pupils by the school.
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Providing menstrual and sexual reproductive health education to 102 pupils along with crucial infrastructure like dormitory beds, safe changing and washing spaces, and access to re-usable Dignity Packs to help girls stay in education.
Impact highlights
Here’s just a selection of impact highlights from our work on Remba since 2019:
Access to Healthcare (SDG3)
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2,421 individual examinations and treatments provided through Health Camps held in 2023 and 2024.
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As a result of the high demand, the County Health Department has posted an additional clinical officer as well as increased their funding for medicines to the local health clinic.
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They have also established a referral system and ambulance speedboat to increase access to specialist healthcare for residents when they need to travel to the mainland.
Access to Education (SDG4)
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70 additional learners at Remba Junior School now able to access education due to expanded classroom facilities.
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214 girls have access to safe changing and washing spaces so they do not need to bathe in the lake which would expose them to safety risks.
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10 teachers benefitting from the Window on the World initiative, now skilled and confident in incorporating digital learning into their lesson plans.
Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6)
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10,000+ residents of Remba Island with access to safe drinking water.
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12 rehabilitated latrines in the community and at Remba Primary School, reducing instances of illness and disease as a result of unhygeinic conditions.
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20 youth from Tumaini Youth Group trained in Black Soldier Fly rearing and business skills, have access to skills and employment through operating an environmentally-friendly waste treatment business on the island.
Challenges & learning points
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Stakeholder engagement and ownership: Community management structures took time to build trust and inclusivity
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Learning: investing in capacity-building and peer support is as important as physical assets
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Logistics: Remba’s location means it is difficult and more costly to transport equipment and materials.
Future plans & sustainability
We will continue to build the capacity and sustainability of the Remba Community Development Committee, who will be so vital to this work continuing and growing long after our exit. Phase 3 of the Remba Transformation Programme will initiate in 2026, and the community want to prioritis 4 areas of work:
Access to secondary education & vocational training
At present, Remba Junior School only offers classes up to Grade 9. For most families living below the poverty line, continuing to secondary school on the mainland is impossible due to high costs of fees, transport, and boarding. This leaves young people vulnerable to dropping out, early pregnancy, and exploitative “sex-for-fish” practices. We will:
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Develop pathways for secondary education so children can continue learning beyond Grade 9.
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Introduce vocational training programmes that equip young people with practical skills for employment and small business creation.
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Provide young women and men with alternatives to unsafe livelihoods, helping to break cycles of poverty and exploitation.
Youth Leadership through sports
Football and netball is already transforming the lives of children at Remba Junior School, providing safe play, teamwork, and inspiration. Building on this success, we will:
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Expand sports facilities and equipment, making them accessible to more young people.
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Train youth leaders and coaches to use sport as a platform for mentoring, life skills, and gender equality.
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Create community sports programmes and after school activities that give young people positive role models and safe spaces away from risky behaviours.
Access to healthcare
Remba currently has only basic healthcare services, leaving families with little support for serious illness, maternal health, or emergencies. The community has set its sights on upgrading its health centre and strengthening preventative care. We will:
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Support the upgrade of the island’s facility to a higher-tier health centre, capable of providing wider and better-quality services.
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Train and equip Community Health Promoters (CHPs) who can deliver health education, preventative care, and first response.
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Improve access to maternal, child, and sexual health services to reduce the risks of HIV/AIDS, early pregnancy, and preventable illness.(expand on community’s amtitions to a higher tier health centre classification and CHP training programme)
Livelihoods and access to finance
Remba Women’s Group are proving that with training, savings, and seed funding, families can build sustainable incomes and reduce dependency on fishing. Four groups are already running small businesses and savings schemes. We will:
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Expand to 10 active savings and enterprise groups, reaching hundreds of families.
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Provide training in entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and cooperative management.
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Expand the revolving microfinance pool, enabling families to invest in poultry, farming, or other small businesses.
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Strengthen women’s economic independence, reducing reliance on exploitative practices and building dignity and stability.
