For every child, a loving family provides the foundation for protection, belonging, growth, and opportunity. Yet many children find themselves separated from parental care due to abandonment, neglect, poverty, abuse, or other vulnerabilities. Recognizing the need for family-based care solutions, the RISE Project was launched to strengthen foster care systems and promote alternative family care across Kenya.
Implemented from January to December 2022 in Nairobi and Kiambu Counties, the RISE Project sought to promote and institutionalize foster care as a critical child protection intervention, ensuring that children deprived of parental care could grow up in safe, nurturing family environments.
Promoting Family-Based Care for Vulnerable Children
The project was guided by a simple but powerful vision: that every child deserves the opportunity to grow up in a caring family environment.
Through collaboration with government agencies, child protection stakeholders, residential care institutions, foster families, and communities, the project worked to strengthen foster care systems while supporting Kenya’s broader Care Reforms agenda.
The initiative focused on three key areas:
- Strengthening services within residential care facilities.
- Improving the quality and implementation of foster care services.
- Enhancing knowledge exchange and collaboration among child protection actors nationally and internationally.
Strengthening Residential Care Services
One of the project’s major achievements was improving the quality of care provided by four residential centres serving vulnerable children across Nairobi and Kiambu Counties.
To achieve this, the project conducted assessments and developed alignment plans for participating centres to support compliance with evolving child protection standards.
The project also supported the refurbishment and equipping of Rescue Dada Centre, enhancing the quality of services available to girls recovering from life on the streets.
Additionally, managers, caregivers, social workers, and child protection practitioners participated in capacity-building programs focused on:
- Child protection system reforms in Kenya
- Alternative Family Care
- Foster Care Standards
- Child-centred case management approaches
Children suitable for family-based care were also identified and assessed for possible foster placement.
Building a Stronger Foster Care System
A key focus of the RISE Project was strengthening foster care services as a viable alternative care option for vulnerable children.
Working closely with government structures responsible for child protection, including Sub-County Children Offices and Alternative Care Committees, the project provided technical support aimed at improving foster care implementation and oversight.
Community awareness campaigns were conducted to educate the public on the importance of foster care and alternative family care. These engagements helped challenge misconceptions while encouraging more families to consider opening their homes to children in need.
The project also supported:
- Recruitment and training of foster families
- Child and family matching processes
- Foster placement and case management services
- Efforts to establish a Foster Family Association in Kenya
These initiatives laid the groundwork for a more structured and sustainable foster care ecosystem.
Fostering Partnerships and Knowledge Exchange
Recognizing that child protection requires collective action, the RISE Project strengthened collaboration among public institutions, private sector actors, civil society organizations, and international partners.
Technical support and coordination activities facilitated the sharing of best practices in foster care and parental care between Kenya and international partners.
Through the Tree of Life Exchange Program, learning opportunities were created between stakeholders in Kenya, Italy, India, and other countries, allowing practitioners to exchange experiences and innovative approaches to family-based care.
The project also worked to promote foster care awareness within the private sector, encouraging broader societal participation in child protection efforts.
Impact at a Glance
The RISE Project reached thousands of children, families, professionals, and community members, creating momentum for long-term care reform in Kenya.
Key achievements included:
- 206 children supported through four residential care communities.
- 138+ child protection practitioners, managers, professionals, and social workers trained.
- 40 Sub-County Children Officers and Alternative Care Committee members strengthened through technical support and capacity building.
- 2,500 community members directly engaged through awareness activities.
- 30,000 Kenyans reached through public awareness and advocacy campaigns.
- 100 potential foster parents recruited and supported.
- 60 children successfully placed in foster care arrangements.
- 50 biological families supported through foster care interventions and case management.
Working Together for Children
The success of the RISE Project was made possible through strong partnerships with Caritas Nairobi and several residential care institutions serving vulnerable children.
These included:
Rescue Dada Centre
A rehabilitation and recovery centre for vulnerable girls and former street-connected children, providing shelter, education, skills training, and psychosocial support.
KWETU Home of Peace for Boys
A recovery and rehabilitation centre supporting boys transitioning from street life through residential care, education, and reintegration services. The organization operates both a Drop-In Centre in Madaraka and a main facility in Ruai.
Joy Children’s Village
Located in Limuru, Joy Children’s Village provides family-style care for vulnerable children, including those affected by HIV and AIDS. Children live in small family units under the care of dedicated caregivers, creating a nurturing home environment.
Looking Ahead
The RISE Project demonstrated that when governments, communities, caregivers, and development partners work together, children can transition from institutional care into safe and supportive family environments.
As Kenya continues implementing its national Care Reforms agenda, foster care remains a powerful pathway toward ensuring that every child grows up surrounded by love, protection, dignity, and opportunity.
Because every child deserves not just care, but a family.