Independent academic research

Crowdfunding care in Kenya

Sibel Kusimba, University of South Florida

Published in 2024, Sibel Kusimba’s peer-reviewed research draws on ethnographic fieldwork at M-Changa from 2016 to 2021 to examine digital fundraising, care, social networks, philanthropy and community support in Kenya.

What the work explored

  • Based on ethnographic fieldwork at M-Changa conducted from 2016 to 2021.
  • Examines fundraising for medical and education costs, philanthropic initiatives, family rituals and COVID-19 relief.
  • Explores how online fundraising interacts with family and friend networks, philanthropy, charity and cultural ideas about care.
  • Includes discussion of M-Changa’s fundraising, communication, transparency and verification practices.

Why it matters

The research offers an independent, long-form view of how M-Changa is used in real communities — including the role of relationships, trust, social networks, communication and different forms of giving.

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