Our Identity

Our Vision

A just society where communities uphold the dignity and respect the voices of vulnerable and marginalized people.
This vision inspires our efforts to transform the inequalities in society, where some have an abundance of resources while others struggle to meet their basic needs.
We are dedicated to fostering communities built on love, compassion, and solidarity, where everyone’s unique gifts are recognized and shared. By placing the most vulnerable at the center, we aim to create a ripple effect of inclusion and empowerment. In these communities, dignity is restored, voices are amplified, and everyone, regardless of their status, has the opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential.

Our Mission

To strengthen community capacity and systems that care for and empower vulnerable and marginalized people in mutually transformative relationships.
Our mission at St. Martin CSA is to empower communities to become agents of care and inclusion for the vulnerable and marginalized. We are committed to strengthening community capacity and systems, fostering environments where every individual is supported to live with dignity and purpose. Through partnerships and relationships rooted in mutual transformation, we aim to build resilient networks of care that empower the marginalized while inspiring growth and change in all who are part of the journey.

Our Core Values

Integrity

Integrity is our first core value and a foundation for others. We are committed to the fundamental values of honesty, trust, transparency, accountability, responsibility and stewardship. We demonstrate consistency between words and actions.

We are reliable and our work ethic is characterized by excellence in the execution of our duties, use of the most appropriate skills and competencies and conduct, behavior and attitudes that best serve the interests of our target groups.

We treat everyone, that is staff, partners, donors, beneficiaries and other stakeholders with dignity and sensitivity. We view different cultures, ideas, faith communities and approaches as opportunities from which to build synergy, tap experience and promote talent.

Everybody has their own talents and abilities, but we know that these are multiplied when we work together, understanding each other’s expertise, respecting each other’s contribution and challenging each other to achieve even more. This collaborative approach doesn’t stop at the office door but extends into the way we work with communities and individuals, and with our partners, donors and supporters.

We are committed to overcoming prejudices and disadvantages and promoting fair and just access to resources and opportunities.

We are inspired to meet the diverse emotional, physical and spiritual needs of people with compassion, grace, and an open heart. This cannot be achieved by paid work alone. We are called to be volunteers first and to nurture the sharing of talents and resources in our communities.

We consider solidarity as the most humane value in working with vulnerable and marginalized people. We encounter poor, weak and vulnerable people without distinction limits or conditioning and promote chains of solidarity in our communities around them.

Our Approach: Only Through Community

We address community challenges with a unique approach shaped by our guiding motto, “Only through community.” Our method, which is continually evolving, focuses on empowering individuals, fostering solidarity, and promoting mutual transformation through active volunteer engagement and formation. We remain committed to creating lasting change by targeting the capable, building a foundation of shared growth, and adapting to the evolving needs of those we serve.

Targeting the ‘Able’

St. Martin CSA does not directly target vulnerable groups. Instead, our focus is on empowering individuals in the community who possess gifts, talents, and resources that can be shared with those in need. By engaging these individuals, St. Martin CSA indirectly supports the vulnerable members of the community. This approach is the foundation of our motto: Only Through Community.

Our approach begins with recognizing the untapped potential within the community. We have faith in people and believe that solutions to the challenges faced by beneficiaries can be found within the community itself. We are confident that resources are available, and there are many individuals of goodwill who, with proper mobilization, can make a significant difference. Through fostering solidarity, sharing, and love, we aim to create lasting change that extends beyond the lifespan of St. Martin CSA. The impact will be of higher quality, as it comes from the collective effort of one’s own neighbors.

In addition to the community’s resources, we also believe in the potential of the beneficiaries themselves. Often, their hidden talents and abilities are overshadowed by personal struggles, leading to feelings of hopelessness, diminished self-esteem, and a loss of faith in their own capacities. Our role is to help them recognize their worth and potential, showing them that they can make positive changes in their own lives. By contributing to their own well-being, the beneficiaries will demonstrate that they are not helpless, but capable of reshaping their futures. In doing so, we honor their dignity and recognize the potential within each individual.

Working with Volunteers

The work of St. Martin CSA is carried out through a dedicated network of community volunteers. These individuals have chosen to generously offer their time and energy to support both the community and those in need. 

At St. Martin CSA, we believe that no one is too poor to contribute. Whether it is time, expertise, skills, finances, farm produce, or other resources, everyone has something valuable to offer.

Volunteers engage in various ways based on their unique talents and abilities. Many work directly in the community, engaging with beneficiaries. Volunteers also raise awareness about the needs of the vulnerable and promote solidarity by mobilizing support for immediate needs, such as medical treatment or food. Some volunteers offer their professional services free of charge, including medical or legal assistance.

In addition, some volunteers serve at the management level of St. Martin CSA, contributing their leadership and guidance as committee members, helping steer the direction of our programs. Every volunteer makes a meaningful contribution, tailored to their strengths and capabilities.

Formation of the Heart and the Head

At St. Martin CSA, solidarity within the community is fostered by enhancing individual and collective capacities. Capacity building is at the heart of our approach. This process targets two types of capacities, both of which are equally crucial to our mission.

The first type focuses on building the “heart”; the capacity to love those in need and to derive joy and fulfillment from helping others. This spiritual formation is essential for all staff and volunteers. Volunteering, by nature, can be challenging as we often have a tendency to prioritize our own needs. To inspire and sustain the spirit of volunteering, we offer various spiritual formation activities, such as meditations, Bible sharing, and retreats, which provide the motivation and inner drive to serve the community.

The second type of capacity building focuses on the “head”; professional skills that enable individuals to make informed, effective interventions in their communities. These skills help identify and implement sustainable solutions to local challenges. To support this, St. Martin CSA offers a range of technical training courses for volunteers, tailored to the needs of our programs and the beneficiaries we serve. These technical skills not only boost the confidence of volunteers but also empower them to create tangible, positive changes in the lives of others.

Transforming all

Promoting solidarity is only achievable through the transformation of communities, by engaging all members, regardless of their perceived wealth or strength, and creating meaningful changes in their lives. It involves bringing together those considered rich and strong with those often seen as poor or weak, giving them the opportunity to meet, learn from one another, and support each other.

This process of community involvement is long-term, requiring time, effort, and commitment. However, St. Martin CSA believes that the outcome will not only be rewarding but also sustainable, with lasting impact that benefits the entire community. By fostering connections and solidarity across all levels, we are creating a foundation that ensures the well-being and empowerment of every individual.

The Spirit of Solidarity

I don’t give out of sympathy.

Rose Macharia, a devoted and inspiring member of the Nyahururu Market Community, makes it clear that her generosity springs not from pity, but from a deep-seated sense of solidarity and shared responsibility. For the past 25 years, the mission of St. Martin CSA has been built on community unity and mutual care—a spirit that Rose exemplifies every day.

Watch how she ignites the spirit of giving in Nyahururu, transforming everyday moments into opportunities for communal support. Through her thoughtful and heartfelt donation of essential food items to St. Martin CSA, Rose fuels a continuous cycle of community care and transformative change. Her actions stand as a powerful reminder that true solidarity is not about offering fleeting sympathy, but about actively uplifting and empowering every member of the community.