Kenya is the most youthful country in East Africa. By empowering the youth, Kesho kenya is empowering an entire Nation.
2004 – It all started at Wendy’s …
- A small group of friends expressed their shared concern about the lack of educational opportunities for children in Kilifi.
- They set up a small committee and begin paying fees for in total five children.
2006 – Kesho Day is born
- Kesho Kenya now has 42 beneficiaries.
- First Kesho Day is organised to get to know the children better.
2008 – Our beneficiaries double
- Rotary Club raises funds to support 50 students through Secondary School.
- Kesho Kenya becomes a cooperation institution of Rotary International.
- Registration as Community Based Organisation (CBO)
- Logo, branding, website and database to manage our students and sponsors are developed
2009 – Move to Jacob’s Building
- Move into our own office at Jacob’s building.
- An office assistant is employed.
- The back office turns into a resource center and cozy, safe space for our beneficiaries.
- Our first Kesho students enroll in university
- We launch our first annual Career’s Day, Reproductive Health Day and Christmas Craft Day
- Huge second-hand book donation from the UK, we stock our resource center.
2010 – A new phase of growth
- A regular activity program is set up in the holidays with games, puzzles and story time.
- By now, we have over 150 students being sponsored.
- Two program officers are employed to take care of the Primary children and Secondary students.
- Kesho strengthen its enrichment, training and academic support programs.
2011 – Enrichment, training and academic support
- Kesho starts organizing seminars for students in the holidays; Maths tuition, inspirational talks, films and other activities.
- The team keeps growing: an accountant is employed
2012 – 275 children supported
- Start of our child protection program.
- Move to a larger office space at Jacob’s building.
- We hold 24 events, and the number continues to grow.
- Kesho is supporting 275 children.
2013 – Rising Star and Safeguarding
- Kesho Kenya wins the Rising Star award competing with over 1,300 charities in 60 countries.
- Léger Foundation comes in to strengthen our child protection policies in our office, in schools and community at large.
- Start of Kesho’s school safeguarding project which enlightens pupils and students about their rights and child protection issues.
2014 – Foundations for launching the future
- Evans Odhiambo is appointed Executive Director
- Léger Foundation and Berkeley Trust give funds for institutional strengthening
- Work on our first five-year strategic plan
2016 – Kesho’s structures strengthening
- Management structures, strategies and programs under examination during Shiriki project
- Thomas Cook children’s charity supports the purchase of books to expand the library in our resource center
2017 – New projects come in
- Implementation of “Wasichana Wetu Wafaulu” and “Tusome” projects
- “Hope for Children” sponsors our Street Business School
- Community reading sessions are established
- 15 staff members working at Kesho Kenya
- Kesho Kenya further extends its office at Jacob’s building
2018 – Implementing a new Strategic Plan
- Two new projects: “Tackling CSEC” and “SHINE”
- Kwale office opened
- Number of staff members increases to 25
- Implementing the Strategic Plan 2018-2022
- Communication and procurement department established
2019 – Increased visibility and networking
- About 3,500 children educated from primary school to university
- Working more closely with a broad network of partners
- Collaboration with 128 schools in Kilifi County
- More than 1,000 new followers on Facebook
- Our work is covered by radio, TV, online & print media
2020 – overshadowed by Covid-19 pandemic
- 900 beneficiaries received solar-powered radios
- 148 families and 2 rescue centers received food donation
- 280 families received cash transfer for over six weeks
- Launch of Changing The Way We Care project
- more than 30 media engagements in radio and TV
