Empowering Caregivers, Strengthening Families in Kenya

In Nyeri County’s rural settlements, caregiving is a quiet economy of love and endurance. Grandmothers raise grandchildren while tending small plots; aunts balance casual work with school fees; older siblings take on adult responsibilities before their time. FADOA’s work in Kenya begins at the household level, because a stable family is the surest path to a child’s learning and well‑being.

Education

We underwrite what keeps a child in class: uniforms, exam fees, books, transport where needed, and a simple monitoring cadence agreed with head teachers. The aim is continuity—term after term—so a temporary setback does not become permanent dropout [1].

Livelihoods & Financial Literacy

With local CBOs, we organize small savings groups and short financial literacy sessions for caregivers. These are not complex schemes; they are practical tools—budgeting for term dates, planning for uniforms, and creating a small buffer against shocks. Even modest savings reduce the need for distress decisions that derail schooling [2].

Adolescent Girls

Girls remain at higher risk of missing school due to menstrual poverty and caretaking burdens. We provide hygiene kits, mentorship groups, and linkages to youth‑friendly health services. Teachers report improved attendance and engagement when such support is consistent and discreet [3].

Field Voice

“We were taught how to save—and how to hope again,” a grandmother in Ngorano told us. “Now I plan for exam fees the way I plan for rain.”

What Changes When Caregivers Are Supported

We observe the same pattern across villages: when caregivers gain confidence and a small cushion, children’s attendance stabilizes; meals become more regular; and anxieties in the household ease. The benefits are cumulative and visible in report cards as well as in children’s posture and speech [4].

By the Numbers (Illustrative 2024–2025)

• 200+ households participating in savings circles
• 150 adolescent girls supported with hygiene kits and mentorship
• 90% term‑to‑term retention among supported pupils
• 3 partner CBOs trained on safeguarding and case referral

Endnotes

[1] Ministry of Education, Kenya (2024). School Retention and Attendance Brief.

[2] Republic of Kenya, State Department for Social Protection (2023–2024). Community savings and basic income security notes.

[3] Republic of Kenya, Ministry of Health (2023). National Adolescent and Youth Health Policy.

[4] UNICEF Kenya (2024). Education and Child Protection Snapshot.