About Us
RIANA Development Network (RDN) was founded by a group of Kenyans living in the United Kingdom to address the unmet needs of Swahili-speaking communities, which mostly included poverty, homelessness, unemployment, substance abuse, health, and wellbeing. For more than 15 years, we have worked with disadvantaged members of the community to create capacity and hope for a brighter future. RDN prioritises education, health, food security, livelihood, and child safety, while also promoting self-reliance and sustainability.
What we do?
Our work in the United Kingdom focuses primarily on the London Borough of Hounslow, which is culturally and economically diverse, with 40% of its population coming from an ethnic minority background. These communities have high rates of unemployment and low educational achievement. In addition, there are health disparities between communities.
In Kenya, we operate in the Western region, where the HIV/AIDS epidemic has taken many lives and left many orphaned children in the care of elderly grandparents and extended family. Our Kenyan initiatives include a community centre where the local community may gain skills and tools to start income-generating enterprises, as well as a community farm where locals can learn about sustainable animal husbandry and crop farming techniques.
Vision
We are committed to collaborating with corporations, voluntary agencies, and institutions to reduce poverty and raise living standards through "self-reliance" projects. We will continue to achieve our goals through capacity building, research, training, and guidance.
RDN works with underprivileged people, providing opportunities for them to build skills and confidence. It tries to help its beneficiaries become self-sufficient and contribute to the communities in which they live.
Recognition
In June 2022, the organisation got the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service. The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service, also known as the Queen's Golden Jubilee Award for Voluntary Service by Groups in the Community and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Volunteering Award, is an annual accolade given to UK voluntary sector organisations. Riana Development Network is one of 244 local charities, social enterprises, and volunteer groups that will get the coveted prize in 2022, winning groups are announced in the London Gazette on June 2, each year, the anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II's coronation. The award is equivalent to the MBE and is the highest honour that can be bestowed upon a voluntary organisation.