Informal Settlements
Extreme Poverty Reduction
Community-Led Development
What we do:
In 2006, YOD began as a yoga nonprofit organization in Telluride, Colorado, devoted to serving children in need. It developed towards "Yoga Diplomacy" fostering intercultural communication around the world. While the principles of yoga remain, service to others are now the primary focus. Over the first six years, we tailored programs to reduce poverty in India, Indonesia, Peru, Nepal, and Tanzania. Since 2012 YOD has focused solely on the slums of Nairobi, Kenya. We follow an autonomous, community-led approach to development in Nairobi’s 2nd largest slum, Mukuru. Families strengthen themselves with job creation via AGRICULTURE, ART & ENTREPRENEURSHIP within and for the community. Working with community leaders, our goal is to create a micro-economy for community self-reliance.
Child and Youth empowerment through self-expression for confidence building.
Effective Poverty Reduction requires engagement with people first. We feel that SDG #1 should be "Engagement." Although politics, economics, foreign relations, and trade are key factors that influence development, we cannot loose sight of basic dignities for residents in hard-to reach places like the informal settlements. YOD's Community-led development programs fund artistic Mosaics that serve as anchors of Productive Community Spaces where residents can meet and think critically about ways to reach and maintain economic stability.
The "New Frontier" of development must include pandemic preparedness, off-grid energy alternatives, food security, alternative education, and micro-entrepreneurship. YOD works with community leaders in an autonomous, human-centered way to support programs that provide what the community needs most. Women, children, men, youth, and persons with disabilities are all included.
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Our 501(c )(3) registered name is Telluride Flights Worldwide Relief Fund, dba YOD International
Federal Tax ID# 20-8091089
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UN Appeal for Support 2022
Locals learn entrepreneurship from each other and look for value-chain opportunities that serve the community. The goal is to shift from inconsistent income earned outside the community, to steady income earned within the community.
COMMUNITY-LED
ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY.
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Urban farming in small spaces using vertical techniques is what works in the slums. Micro-farm coops offer vegetables, eggs, and foul for consumption PLUS training for women, youth and persons with disabilities.
COMMUNITY-LED
FOOD SECURITY.
Community leaders foster common values through creating "Community Productive Spaces" anchored by Mosaics that reflect the VOICES of the COMMUNITY. Made with recycled materials, the mosaics serve as a hub for vital information, local trade, human services, and they instill pride.
COMMUNITY-LED
DIGNITY.
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“Success is not final; failure is not fatal:
It is the courage to continue that counts.”