Podcast

In this episode, we continue our conversation with Salim Edward and Viola Wallenius, two founding members of Home Street Home. We previously discussed community-led development, healthcare, education and climate action in Makongeni, Kwale County, Kenya. In this second part, we turn to international cooperation, innovation, youth unemployment and future visions for Kenya.

Home Street Home is a non-profit organisation registered in Kenya, Finland and Switzerland. Working alongside the local community, it supports children’s and young people’s education, health and wellbeing.

Salim Edward is a Kenyan community leader and entrepreneur whose work focuses on financial management, organisational sustainability and community-led development. Viola Wallenius is a Finnish educator, author and director of Home Street Home. Her work focuses on programme development, global education and international partnerships. Both live and work in Makongeni, bringing perspectives grounded in everyday life within the community.

Salim and Viola challenge one-dimensional portrayals of Kenya. They describe a country marked not only by serious challenges, but also by resilience, ambition and a strong entrepreneurial culture. We discuss youth unemployment, equal international cooperation and “white saviour” narratives. Social media makes it easy to react to global problems, but reactions do not always lead to meaningful action. Salim and Viola encourage listeners to remain curious, support locally led organisations and commit to causes beyond moments of temporary attention.

Looking ahead, Salim and Viola share their vision for the future of Home Street Home. They discuss reducing its dependence on unpredictable donor funding, developing long-term partnerships and expanding income-generating initiatives such as the Ubunifu workshop. Their goal is an increasingly sustainable organisation led by its Kenyan team. They also reflect on Kenya’s future and the importance of creating meaningful opportunities for the country’s educated and ambitious young people.

What might people in Europe learn from Kenya? Salim and Viola point to resilience, interdependence and the strength of community relationships. Their experiences of parenthood and life in Makongeni also lead to a wider reflection on safety, basic needs and what it means to live a good life.

Learn more and support Home Street Home:

Website: https://www.homestreethome.fi Instagram: @homestreethomery

Hosts:

Astrid Aminoff and Max Tallberg

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Global Visions is a Helsinki-based non-profit association bringing people and organisations together to develop ideas for a more just, equal and sustainable world.

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The Visions of a Better World podcast

Producers: Max Tallberg and Astrid Aminoff

Music licensed from PremiumBeat.