About us
Raising Youth and Communities (RYC) is a woman-led non-profit organisation registered in Kenya. Our target areas are Mandera and Nairobi with the vison of expanding our operations to other areas. We recognise the significant challenges faced by individuals living in abject poverty, and we are committed to improving the lives of the community.
The organisation empowers young people and communities through community development programs, sustainable practices, and activities. RYC aims to uplift youth and communities by providing educational opportunities, fostering leadership and mentorship programmes, and promoting sustainable development initiatives.
Our Mission
To alleviate poverty in the region by creating an enabling environment for marginalized and disenfranchised women and youth within communities through education, raising awareness and promoting sustainability activities.
Our Vision
To empower and nurture communities by strengthening their income-generating activities and promoting sustainability.
Our Beliefs
RYC abides by a set of guiding values that are tied into every programme to ensure safeguarding principles.
Impact
Integrity
Teamwork
Innovation
Our collective aim and objective is to provide capacity building & training at regional & national levels.
The Team
Zulekha Abdi - Co-Founder
Zulekha Abdi is a seasoned professional with an extensive background in business development and community outreach, spanning over 17 years.
Her leadership experience includes serving as Executive Director of Shona Kenya and Business Development Director at Raising Communities. As Co-Founder of Raising Youth & Communities Organisation, Zulekha continues to champion sustainable solutions for societal challenges, drawing from her experience as a Program Officer at ICPAC, where she focused on strategic planning and human resource development.
Zulekha's diverse skill set also includes program management and relationship building, honed through her roles at the Kenya Red Cross Society, where she managed disaster relief projects and spearheaded fundraising initiatives.
Zulekha is passionate about driving growth, fostering partnerships, and creating positive change in underserved communities, with a particular focus on education.
Fouzia Abdirahman - Co-Founder
Fouzia Abdirahman is an experienced diplomat with over two decades of experience in international and regional work at the United Nations. She has also served as a Board Director and Chair of the Projects and Planning Committee at the Coast Development Authority (CDA), where she oversaw the execution of food security projects exceeding KSh 800 million.
Furthermore, Fouzia has contributed her expertise as a Board Director and Chair of the Finance Committee at the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS). In this role, she was responsible for formulating organizational policies and reviewing the Bureau's budget before its submission to the National Treasury and Planning Ministry.
Fouzia holds a master's degree in Business Administration from Richmond College and possesses extensive experience in fund utilization, administrative management, and performance management.
During her tenure at the UN, she has held various positions, including Senior Logistics Specialist at the United Nations Headquarters in New York and UN Darfur, Sudan; Chief Regional Procurement Officer at the United Nations Regional Procurement Office in Entebbe, Uganda; Logistics Operations Officer at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, USA; Chief Procurement Officer at the UN Disengagement Force in Syria & Israel; and Contracts Management Officer & Procurement Specialist at the United Nations in Rwanda, Central African Republic & Cyprus.
Nahla Fayruz - Programme Manager
Nahla Fayruz, is a seasoned strategic communications and project management specialist with over 10 years of experience in advancing social and financial inclusion across the Horn of Africa. With a strong background in cross-border communications, she has led initiatives focusing on marginalized agro-pastoralist communities. Nahla has worked with IGAD, advocating for community development, and excels in stakeholder engagement, research, and strategic planning. She is passionate about fostering collaboration to drive impact and sustainable change in underserved regions.
Valerie Kutswa - Communication Specialist
Valerie Kutswa is a Gender and Development Specialist with over 4 years of experience in programme management, research, and stakeholder engagement. With a strong focus on gender mainstreaming, community outreach, and policy implementation, she has worked extensively in capacity-building initiatives and healthcare provision for marginalized communities. Valerie is also skilled in data analysis, communications management, and digital design, bringing a unique blend of technical and social expertise to her role.