Driving change for children in Kenya

Welcome to the first edition of UNICEF Spotlight, our monthly newsletter. Each issue will focus on one UNICEF office, highlighting our work for children, our inspiring staff and the partners who are integral to our mission.

This month, we’re focusing on Kenya — where stories of resilience, dedicated humanitarians and strong partnerships are driving change for families and communities.

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UNICEF has been in Kenya since 1971, marking 53 years of dedicated service.

Our commitment to providing life-saving support and creating opportunities for a brighter future is unwavering. A story that perfectly encapsulates it is that of baby Joy.

From the moment she was born, Joy faced a battle for her life.

Born prematurely at a hospital in West Pokot, rural Kenya, she clung to life in an incubator.

Thanks to the hospital’s advanced care - provided with the help of UNICEF-donated equipment - Joy's tiny lungs grew stronger over three months, and she defied the odds.

Three years on, she is a thriving three-year-old, ready to start pre-school.

Joy’s story is a powerful reminder of the life-saving impact UNICEF has on mothers and children - improving maternal and neonatal health one child at a time.

Proudest moment at UNICEF?

My proudest moment was when I was offered my current position, providing a larger platform to serve children in Kenya and beyond.

In my role as Education Officer for Access and Inclusion, I have witnessed a transformative change in children from very vulnerable backgrounds when supported to access education through the Out-of-School programme.

This makes me feel proud of UNICEF’s mandate in advocating for and promoting the rights of children, especially those from hard-to-reach areas.

Advice to young people or those interested in getting into the same area?

To embrace the spirit of continuous improvement (Kaizen), maintain a learning attitude through on-the-job experience and academics, and go the extra mile to gain new knowledge.

Set career goals and aspirations to steer you along your career path. Learn more about working for UNICEF here.

Men End FGM (MEF) is making remarkable strides in the fight against harmful practices in Kenya, thanks to their partnership with UNICEF.?

The initiative focuses on two key areas: accelerating the end of female genital mutilation (FGM) in Samburu East and engaging young people in the fight against harmful practices such as FGM and child marriage in Samburu and West Pokot counties.

Over 3,200 students have taken part in school mentorships and sports activities, while hundreds of women and young mothers have joined transformative community forums. In Samburu East, survivor networks are making a difference, and local men and boys' groups are actively working to end FGM.?

MEF’s reach extends even further with engaging dialogues, on eliminating harmful social norms, involving over 600 community and clan elders.

They’ve also directly engaged around 10,000 young people both on campus and out of school, significantly boosting awareness about their rights.?

Discover more about MEF’s inspiring work and follow their journey on their website, and on X, Facebook, and YouTube.?

UNICEF relies on voluntary contributions to uphold our mission of reaching every child.?

UNICEF's programmes are supported by voluntary contributions from governments, intergovernmental organizations, foundations, the private sector and individuals.??

This diverse array of funding sources enables us to fulfill our mission of ensuring every child's rights, particularly for the most vulnerable. If you’d like to support our work and make a donation, click here.?

To learn more about how we work with private sector partners to improve the lives of children globally, consider subscribing to UNICEF’s “Making It Count” newsletter.? ?

To partner with us, click here.

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