Who We are
Youthful Faces is a small nonprofit organization working in Kenya to improve the lives of orphaned and vulnerable children (OVC). Since its founding, the organization has addressed the interconnected challenges these children face, including poverty, food
insecurity, limited access to education and healthcare, and unsafe housing.
At the core of the strategy is a reaffirmed commitment to holistic child development. Youthful Faces will continue to prioritize education through secondary school, nutritional support, access to basic healthcare, and safe housing through its JENGA program.
At the same time, the organization will strengthen its capacity to better address psychosocial and trauma-informed needs, recognizing that emotional well-being is essential to long-term outcomes. The strategy emphasizes working alongside families, communities, and local institutions to support children within their social environments and promote sustainable, community-based solutions.
Our Mission
Youthful Faces is dedicated to uplifting orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) in Kenya through holistic, community-centered support that nurtures their physical and psychosocial needs, building resilience, dignity, and empowerment. We lay the foundation for each young person to thrive and realize their full potential.
Our Vision
A Kenya where every vulnerable child becomes a thriving, self-reliant adult who lifts their community forward.
Our Core Values
Respect
We treat every child, family, team member, and partner with dignity, honoring diverse backgrounds and perspectives. (We value each community member and uphold inclusivity.)
Integrity
We act with honesty and a strong moral compass in all decisions and interactions. (Transparency and ethical conduct are paramount in our programs and finances.)
Accountability
We take responsibility for our actions and use resources transparently, being answerable to the children, families, and communities we serve. (We measure results and hold ourselves to high standards, internally and externally.)
Empathy
We lead with compassion – seeking to understand and respond to the needs of each child in our care. (A child-centered approach underpins all services, considering emotional well-being and trauma.)
Safeguarding
We uphold the highest standards of child protection and safety, creating an environment where all youth are safe, valued, and heard. (Child safeguarding policies and training are integral to our culture.)
Professionalism
We are committed to excellence, building formal skills in communication, management, and service delivery to scale our impact sustainably. (Even as a community-driven charity, we strive for professional standards in operations.)
Youthful Faces operates in a challenging context of poverty, orphanhood, and health risks in Kenya, but it brings strong community relationships and passion to the fight against child vulnerability. The organization’s alignment with global frameworks bolsters its approach: for example, Youthful Faces contributes directly to multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – No Poverty, Zero Hunger, Good Health and Well-being, Quality Education, Gender Equality, Clean Water & Sanitation, Sustainable Cities & Communities, and Partnerships for the Goals. These SDGs (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 11, 17) are embedded in its mission of providing education, nutrition, healthcare, water/sanitation, and safe housing for children.
Our Objectives
Education Support
Increase educational access and success for OVC in our program.
By 2028, 100% of Youthful Faces children of school-going age will be enrolled in school and progressing to the next grade level on time, with at least 90% of supported students successfully completing secondary education (high school).
Nutrition Support
Objective: Improve food security and nutritional status of children in the program.
By 2028, 100% of children supported by Youthful Faces will receive at least three balanced meals per day, either through direct food support or facilitated access, and communities will have increased capacity for sustained food security.
Healthcare & Medicine
Ensure comprehensive health care access and improved health outcomes for children and adolescents in the program.
By 2028, 100% of Youthful Faces beneficiaries will be enrolled in a basic health insurance or community health scheme, and all will receive needed medical care (curative and preventive) in a timely manner. We will monitor key health indicators (vaccination status, incidence of common 12 illnesses, etc.) and strive to see zero preventable child deaths or severe illnesses among those we support.
Housing & Shelter – JENGA Program
Expand the JENGA housing program to provide safe shelter for more vulnerable children and their families.
Over 2026–2028, construct at least 3 new homes and 3 home renovations for families in need, ensuring that by 2028 all active Youthful Faces beneficiary households live in safe and adequate housing. Each house will be built to be durable, weather-resistant, and suited to the family’s size.
Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)
Improve access to clean water, sanitation facilities, and hygiene practices for the children and communities we serve.
By 2028, all Youthful Faces beneficiary households will have access to safe drinking water and an adequate toilet, and will receive hygiene education. We aim to reduce water-borne and hygiene-related illnesses among our children to near zero.
Psychosocial Support & Child Protection
Embed psychosocial support across all programs to nurture the emotional well-being and resilience of our children.
By 2028, Youthful Faces will have an established psychosocial support program ensuring that 100% of children and caregivers have access to counseling, support groups, or mentorship services. We aim to help children overcome trauma, build self-esteem, and develop life skills for resilience. Child protection (safeguarding) mechanisms will be strengthened to ensure every child is safe from abuse or exploitation within our programs.
Advocacy and Partnerships
Amplify the cause of orphaned and vulnerable children through advocacy and strategic partnerships.
Over 2026–2028, Youthful Faces will actively engage in advocacy initiatives at local and national levels – aiming to influence at least one policy or public program in favor of OVC – and will forge collaborative partnerships with other organizations to expand our impact. We will position Youthful Faces as a thought leader on holistic OVC care in Kenya, sharing our model and success stories to inspire broader change.
Program Reach Map
Youthful Faces currently operates in five counties: Kitui, Machakos, Makueni, Siaya (21), and Uasin Gishu (24) highlighted above. These areas represent our program reach as of 2025, with potential to expand to other regions in Kenya in the future.