TL;DR

Together with the nonprofit organizations LEO (Liberating Education Organization) and RealStars Kenya, we established an educational facility in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya. The building is located in Kibera, one of Africa's largest slums. While LEO provides young adults in several countries with access to education, RealStars supports children and young people from disadvantaged families in Nairobi. We funded the renovation and outfitting of a building and provide the necessary IT infrastructure. The educational approach follows the principle of helping people help themselves: Through free IT and business courses, participants gain the knowledge they need to carry out their own projects and start their own businesses. Since the center opened in June 2026, 153 young people have already taken advantage of its educational programs.

Despite their talent and ambition, young people growing up in Kibera rarely have the opportunity to attend university or receive IT training. Even a university degree doesn't guarantee a job. This is largely due to the area they live in: Kibera is one of Africa's largest slums and is located in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya. Where even basic necessities are scarce, access to education often suffers too – and with it, the prospect of a better future.

We want to change that with a local education center. Through free IT and business courses, we aim to enable residents to start their own businesses and build websites and other IT infrastructure. Our goal is to create jobs, strengthen the local economy, and thus combat poverty in the long term. We planned and implemented the project together with the nonprofit organizations Liberating Education Organization (LEO) and RealStars Kenya.

However, the center came about in a way we hadn't planned at all…

How the project came about

It all started with LEO

Sometimes, all it takes is a single request and a bit of luck for something big to happen. That's exactly how it started here. LEO chose us as its hosting provider right at the start of its initiative. But as its projects grew, so did the financial pressure. So, the team reached out to us to discuss a potential partnership. Nothing unusual so far. But when the young team presented their concept to us, we were impressed – by their idea, their volunteer work and, above all, what they had already achieved in such a short time.

The nonprofit organization was founded in 2023 by two young university students, Konstantin Kölmel and Nils Rauscher – both only in their early twenties at the time.

During the COVID pandemic, we studied online and asked ourselves why this couldn't be the answer to unequal access to further education. But young people also need a place to learn, which is how we developed our hybrid concept.Konstantin Kölmel, CEO & Co-Founder, Liberating Education Organization

During the COVID pandemic, we studied online and asked ourselves why this couldn't be the answer to unequal access to further education. But young people also need a place to learn, which is how we developed our hybrid concept.

Konstantin Kölmel, CEO & Co-Founder, Liberating Education Organization

Today, the organization runs eleven learning centers across five countries and has already provided education to more than 3,000 people – including in Kenya, India and Iraq.

The two founders and their dedication had won us over, and we wanted to do more than just provide servers. At the time, though, we had no idea that we would end up opening a learning center in Kibera.

A lucky coincidence: How RealStars Kenya got involved

While we were in touch with LEO, a familiar face happened to be visiting our headquarters in Gunzenhausen: Rose Munyiva Muiu from RealStars Kenya.

RealStars is a nonprofit organization based in Nairobi that we've supported for a long time and whose work we greatly value. The organization helps children from disadvantaged families and supports them through secondary school, which serves children and teenagers up to around the age of 17.

We realized that both organizations shared a similar goal – so why not work together? We arranged a video call with everyone involved, and by the end of it, we all agreed: We wanted to make a difference together. The only question was: How?

After some back and forth, we thought of a building RealStars had in Kibera. It needed renovation but was otherwise suitable for use, and our idea gradually began to take shape. LEO already knew Kenya well, having established several learning centers there. So why not join forces and open another one in Kibera?

LEO put together a budget and developed the educational concept. RealStars agreed to make the building available and provide support on the ground. We covered the costs of the renovation, hardware and furnishings – and, of course, provided the necessary IT infrastructure. We were particularly pleased that the center would be located in Kibera, where people urgently need educational facilities.

LEO and RealStars Kenya met here in Nairobi for their first discussions

Kibera: One of Africa's largest slums

Many people in Kibera live in huts made of clay, wood or corrugated metal, with families sharing cramped spaces under difficult conditions. Not all households have access to running water, adequate sanitation or reliable electricity.

Many residents have low incomes and can barely afford school supplies or other expenses related to their children's education – let alone pay for university studies. We want to help where people need it most – and that's clearly the case here.

From a simple room to a learning center

Building the new facility was quite an adventure. What started as a small extension to the existing building quickly turned into a complex undertaking. Thanks to the dedication of all our partners and some local ingenuity, we managed to get everything ready just in time for the opening.Konstatin Kölmel, CEO & Co-Founder, Liberating Education Organization

Building the new facility was quite an adventure. What started as a small extension to the existing building quickly turned into a complex undertaking. Thanks to the dedication of all our partners and some local ingenuity, we managed to get everything ready just in time for the opening.

Konstatin Kölmel, CEO & Co-Founder, Liberating Education Organization

After months of preparation, construction work finally began in early April 2026. LEO, RealStars and helpers from the local community joined forces to get the work done. They started with a room that had a simple plastic roof, making it unsuitable for both sensitive equipment and focused learning. Local craftsmen installed a solid ceiling, upgraded the electrical system, laid tiles and painted the room.

Next came the technical equipment: internet access, an EcoFlow system to provide backup power during outages, and a large screen with a whiteboard. We also added a projector, printers, headsets, webcams and everything else a modern learning center needs, including a conferencing system for live sessions.

Around the same time, ENSoXX hilft e.V., our nonprofit association, received a generous donation from the town of Gunzenhausen: 136 laptops that the town no longer needed but were still fully functional. The donation couldn't have come at a better time. We refurbished the laptops, installed new hard drives and shipped them to Kenya.

On 3 June 2026, the big day finally arrived: The head of the center, the RealStars team and the first interested participants gathered for the opening celebration. We were proud of what we had achieved, and we still are today. The building wasn't quite finished, though – some tiles still needed to be laid. But that hardly mattered. The first day of learning together went ahead without a hitch.

One story that particularly touches me is that of a young single mother who came to the center on its opening day. The students immediately took her and her child under their wing and helped each other look after the child so that the mother could focus on learning.Konstantin Kölmel, CEO & Co-Founder, Liberating Education Organization

One story that particularly touches me is that of a young single mother who came to the center on its opening day. The students immediately took her and her child under their wing and helped each other look after the child so that the mother could focus on learning.

Konstantin Kölmel, CEO & Co-Founder, Liberating Education Organization

The educational concept

The project is built around a simple principle: helping people help themselves. Participants learn how businesses work and what skills they need to turn their own business ideas into reality.

Local mentors and teachers guide participants through in-person classes in the center's modern learning spaces. In August, for example, participants took part in "self-discovery sessions" to explore their strengths and interests. Most of the specialized content, however, comes from online courses in which professors, entrepreneurs and experts share their practical knowledge and experience. Partnerships with renowned universities such as KIT (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology), WHU (Otto Beisheim School of Management) and William & Mary in the US help maintain high academic standards throughout the curriculum.

At the heart of the educational concept is the "Entrepreneurship Track". The 35-week program starts with a six-week onboarding phase covering digital literacy, personal development and a challenge where students identify problems and develop potential solutions. Next, they learn the fundamentals of entrepreneurship and take their first elective module. From week 23 onward, they can specialize in a particular area.

Since the opening, 153 young people have used the center or are currently taking part in its programs. The current cohort consists of 58 students. Center manager Harrison Muiundi introduces the programs to local communities and organizations in Kibera, helping more people discover the courses on offer.

Education for a better future

One concept that came up while working with the students illustrates how things can change: What started as an idea to sell bags turned into a plan to set up their own production business. Ideas like these are a first step towards taking control of their own professional future.

The IT courses start with the basics of web development and gradually build on that foundation. The goal is for participants to eventually start a small web agency or manage hosting for a business in their neighborhood. This way, the skills they acquire can lead to new businesses and jobs.

Just in the last few days, I met one of our students who takes our courses and has now developed and programmed his own school management platform. He has already secured more than five schools as clients.Konstantin Kölmel, CEO & Co-Founder, Liberating Education Organization

Just in the last few days, I met one of our students who takes our courses and has now developed and programmed his own school management platform. He has already secured more than five schools as clients.

Konstantin Kölmel, CEO & Co-Founder, Liberating Education Organization

Another participant from a different LEO learning center shows what else is possible. Using his newly acquired skills, he opened his own sneaker store and created jobs for family and friends, which in turn, helps strengthen the local economy.

Meanwhile, participants at our learning center are developing more business ideas. LEO is also exploring ways to support graduates in starting and financing their own businesses. The next goal is to keep the center running at full capacity with two groups attending in parallel and to continue developing the programs.

To document what they've learned, participants receive certificates from KIT as well as a certificate of completion for the program. LEO is also in talks about obtaining government accreditation in Kenya.

Creating opportunities that last

The educational program’s success rate in the long term will only become clear over the coming years, as more participants become entrepreneurs and start small local businesses. And that's where the center's greatest potential lies: not just in sharing knowledge, but in creating opportunities that last.

You can find more information about their work here:

LEO:

RealStars Kenya:

Company