A New Year of Impact with Enkare Oltau Foundation
A new year is here, and at Enkare Oltau Foundation, we are stepping into 2026 with full hearts and a clear purpose. This year holds special significance — 2026 has been declared the International Volunteer Year by the United Nations, a global recognition of the power of people who choose to give their time, skills, and love to their communities. For us, this is not new. It is simply who we are.
As we launch into the year, we want to take a moment to welcome you — whether you are a long-time Enkarean or someone discovering our community for the first time — and share what we have planned.
What We Are Working On This Year
We are running eight active programs in 2026, each rooted in a specific need we see in our communities.
Through our IBM SkillsBuild Program, in partnership with IBM SkillsBuild and the International Association for Volunteer Effort, participants can learn and get certified in Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Cloud Computing, Data Science, Web Development, Project Management, and more — completely free. This is our commitment to quality education and digital inclusion.
Our Teen Mothers Upskilling Program continues to be one of our most cherished initiatives. We equip young mothers with practical, income-generating skills including baking, beauty and makeup, soap making, wig-making and braiding, digital skills, and financial literacy. Every woman who walks through this program leaves with more than a skill — she leaves with confidence and a path forward.
In the spirit of climate action, our Upcycling Program, run in partnership with Kupya, empowers artisans to transform waste into sustainable products. It is about protecting our environment while creating real livelihoods.
We also run Environment Activities throughout the year — tree planting drives, community clean-ups, and kitchen gardening — because caring for the earth is everyone’s responsibility.
On the health front, in partnership with Luton Hospital, our Health & Wellness program brings education and awareness on sexual and reproductive health, cancer, fistula, mental health, and HPV prevention directly to communities that need it most.
Beyond programs, we build community through our Community Meetups — picnics, hikes, color festivals, potlucks, and games — because connection and joy are also part of the work.
Every Tuesday, we host Tubonge Tuesday, our weekly conversation series on X Spaces at @enkareoltau. It is a space to speak, listen, and think together about the things that matter.
And of course, our Enkare Annual Gala returns this year — an evening of celebration, storytelling, and fundraising for everything we do.
This year, as part of IVY26, we are shining a spotlight on our volunteers through our Volunteer Feature series. Our volunteers are the foundation of everything, and 2026 is the perfect year to tell their stories to the world.
How You Can Support Us
If you would like to support our work, you can donate via M-PESA Paybill 253 296 (Account Name: Your Name or Cause of Donation), through PayPal at donate@enkarefoundation.org, or online at www.enkarefoundation.org.
