To see a society in which aged persons are treated with dignity and respect.
MISSION
To facilitate services and activities that promote and enhance dignified ageing.
Philosophy
Aging is a privilege, but ageism is a notion that comes with discrimination, isolation and falls accusation. RIEKO envision a society in which aged persons are treated with dignity and respect and where ageism is a no go zone
OUR STORY
In 2021, we began RIEKO in Kathing Village, Kisumu, Kenya, with a simple yet powerful vision: to create a space where the old, the young, and the children can come together, share their experiences, and learn from one another. Initially launched as a volunteer initiative, RIEKO quickly grew into a site of connection and collaboration, where intergenerational care and learning became the heart of our mission. Our goal was, and still is, to empower the local community through services and activities that promote dignified aging and mutual learning.
In 2022, RIEKO officially became a Community-Based Organization. Since then, we have touched the lives of 46 elderly individuals aged 65 and above and more than 120 children who are being raised by their grandparents. These children are not just growing up they are thriving at RIEKO Intergenerational School, a unique space where learning flows freely between the generations.
Working alongside these elders and children, we are proud to have engaged 52 young people, most of them young mothers, who are eager to build better futures for themselves and their families. Our semi-permanent structures provide a welcoming space for learning and training, and the older generation takes an active role, sharing stories, songs, and traditional wisdom that enriches our daily activities.
One of our most exciting projects to date is the community garden. This initiative is providing fresh, organic indigenous vegetables to over 40 households, promoting both environmental sustainability and food security. Through our training programs in organic farming, we are making strides toward a greener future, while also ensuring our community has access to nutritious, homegrown produce.
Our long-term vision is ambitious. We aim to create a space that fosters practical learning and hands-on education for all regardless of age. We are already planning the construction of a community cafeteria, where the focus will be on traditional meals. Elders will pass down their knowledge of cooking and food preparation to the younger generation, creating a living connection between past and future. Not only will we produce our own food for consumption, but we will also generate income by selling surplus produce.
We dream of a future where RIEKO becomes a hub for people of all backgrounds to visit, learn, and share knowledge with one another. A place where the old and young collaborate and inspire, creating lasting solutions for challenges we face today. We invite all to join us in this journey, as we build a stronger, more resilient community—one that values every individual’s contribution, regardless of age or background.
OUR MODEL
We have adopted two types of models. The village model and the self-learning model.
1. The village model
Rieko home is located in a village. Most aged persons in the village do not have any aged friendly site to meet. The old people will be allowed to access the center during the day. They are provided with various activities that keep them active. Children are allowed to come to the home after attending their regular schools to enjoy free time with the old people and the young people are also coming into the center in their own free time to have time with the aged beneficiaries.
2. Self Learning Model
The self-learning model adopts a system in which there is no teacher-student participation but rather a participant and participant interaction. The children, young people, and the aged all learn from each other.
Our values
Dignity
Respect
Transparency
Patience & compassion
We believe treating people with dignity is being in touch with most basic human need, and enabling our beneficiaries to have a sense of self-worth. Everyone in our world matters as importantly as anyone else, whatever their condition, age, ability or background. These equally applies to our staff members and donors. We thus allow free movement. Participation and expression among the people within and out of the organization.
We all come from different places and have different stories in life, we thus accept everybody for who they are even when we differ in opinion. Our beneficiaries suffer from problems like hearing loss and cognitive skills such as memory loss the elderly can often feel dismissed or belittled. Making a point of listening to them and asking questions rather than giving orders is our way of resonating with them. We acknowledge our staff as well and treat them with respect through ensuring their mental wellbeing is taken care of.
We are committed to honesty and integrity in achieving desired outcomes for those whom we serve. We ensure deliverables are given to the donors and all the team members get access to information needed.
We are committed to understanding the feelings, needs, and desires of those whom we serve and take action to enhance their quality of life with all patience that it takes. Working with the elderly requires high level of patience especially because older people can have a slower pace when they move, when they speak, and in some cases, a slower pace when processing things., an ability to work at a slower pace and repeat yourself without annoyance is a must.