Kariobangi South, Nairobi

Bridging the Gap Between
Youth Talent &
Real Opportunity

The Next Leaf is a community-based hub empowering young people from less fortunate backgrounds with creative, digital, and AI skills — turning potential into livelihoods.

Support a Learner View Program ↓
2Cohorts / Year
15–20Youth per Cohort
12Week Program
70%+Employment Rate
● Cohort 1 – Enrolling Now (Aug–Oct)

Skills That Pay in 2026

Every learner graduates with a professional portfolio and income-ready capabilities.

Digital Skill for the Youth
Graphic Design
Photography
Videography
Social Media Mgmt
Web Development
AI Creative Tools
Cohort 1 Seats Filling60%

The Challenge

Why This Matters

Every year, thousands of Nairobi youth finish school with dreams but no path forward. The Next Leaf exists to change that equation.

No Access to Tools

Most youth in informal settlements lack laptops, cameras, software, and reliable internet — the basic tools of the digital economy.

African youth looking at job listings

Skills-Opportunity Gap

Businesses desperately need designers, videographers, and social media managers — yet cannot find skilled, affordable local talent.

African using laptop

The Digital Economy Waits

With the right skills, any young person can earn locally or globally — through freelancing, social media, or entrepreneurship.

The Program

3 Months. Real Skills.
Real Results.

Our Learn → Master → Execute framework runs 3 days a week in a studio environment, treating every learner as a creator-in-training from day one.

African youth learning design
01
Weeks 1–4

Creative Foundations

  • Graphic Design (Canva, Figma, Adobe Express)
  • Photography — camera & smartphone
  • Visual storytelling & brand identity
  • AI for ideation & design planning
  • Social media platform basics
African youth filming with smartphone
02
Weeks 5–8

Video & Digital Presence

  • Videography & mobile content creation
  • Short-form video (Reels, TikTok, Shorts)
  • Video editing — CapCut & Premiere Pro
  • No-code web design (Wix, WordPress)
  • SEO basics & social analytics
African freelancer working
03
Weeks 9–12

Monetization & Freelancing

  • Freelancing on Upwork, Fiverr, LinkedIn
  • Client communication & contracts
  • Personal branding & online presence
  • AI for copywriting & automation
  • Capstone portfolio presentation

Expected Impact

Numbers That
Change Lives

Our model is built for measurable, lasting impact — per cohort and across the year.

100%
Graduate with professional portfolios
70%+
Secure freelance work within 3 months
30–40
Youth trained every year
50+
Local SMEs supported annually

2025 Cohort Schedule

Cohort 1
Aug – Oct 2026 · 15–20 Learners
Enrolling
Cohort 2
Jan – Mar 2027 · 15–20 Learners
Open Soon
Post-graduation support
6 months mentorship included
African cohort session

Infrastructure

A Real Creative Agency
Environment

The Next Leaf is built around three purpose-designed studio spaces — all currently being equipped with your support.

1
African digital studio
💻

The Lab — Digital Studio

  • Graphic design & AI workstations
  • Post-production & editing space
  • Strategy sessions & freelance training
  • High-speed internet connectivity
2
African production studio
🎬

The Main Stage — Production Studio

  • Photography & videography setup
  • Lighting kits, backdrops, microphones
  • Interview, product & content shoots
  • Professional-grade equipment
3
African outdoor space
🌿

The Open Studio — Outdoor Space

  • Natural-light photography
  • Lifestyle & documentary content
  • Community storytelling projects
  • Street & environmental shoots
Fabian Kithusi
Founder & Director

Our Story

"Talent is universal. Opportunity is not. The Next Leaf exists to change that."

My name is Fabian ( Aka Fabbs ), and I grew up in Mathare — Kenya's second-largest informal settlement. I finished high school with dreams but no clear path forward. No funds, no connections, no access to the tools that could unlock my potential.

Everything changed when I was given a chance to participate in a creative and digital skills program. It didn't just teach me skills — it transformed my life. Today, I stand as proof that background should never determine destiny.

The Next Leaf was born from a deep desire to extend that same lifeline to other young people in Kariobangi South and beyond. This is not charity. This is empowerment.

Fabian Kithusi
Founder, The Next Leaf Creative Digital Hub

Why The Next Leaf

Built to Last.
Designed to Scale.

✅

Proven Model

Based on successful programs that have transformed lives — including the founder's own story.

📊

Measurable Impact

Clear KPIs: employment rate, portfolio completion, and income generation tracked per cohort.

♻️

Self-Sustaining

Weekend studio rentals, graduate content agency, and corporate partnerships generate ongoing revenue.

🤖

AI-First Approach

We equip youth with cutting-edge, future-proof AI creative skills integrated across all phases.

🏘️

Community-Rooted

Founded and run by someone who grew up in the community we serve — deep trust and local insight.

🚀

Scalable Model

Designed to be replicated across Nairobi's informal settlements and beyond as we grow.

Get Involved

Let's Grow the
Next Leaf Together

Whether you donate, partner, or spread the word — you are part of changing lives in Kariobangi South, one cohort at a time.

Contact Fabian → 📞 0712 057 700

Community & Support Network

Our Partners

Want your organisation featured here? Reach out and become a partner.

Become a Partner →