Kickstart Kids International

A Symphony of Stories, One Book at a Time What happens when a child discovers that a book can transport them to a whole new world?It starts quietly. A child picks up a storybook, turns the first page, and starts reading. The following weekend, they return to ask for another. This simple habit is transforming the After School Programme in Olturoto, Kenya.As Australia celebrates Children's Book Week under the theme “Symphony of Stories”, we want to highlight a culture of reading that continues to steadily grow within our community. Learning Beyond the Classroom The After School Programme complements formal schooling. Every month, we dedicate two sessions to academic support, linking activities to monthly themes that reinforce what children learn in the classroom.However, learning extends far beyond textbooks and desks. Sometimes it means reading aloud, debating a character’s choices, or imagining a different ending.This is why our storybook-borrowing routine has become one of the most popular parts of the weekend. Children choose a book to take home, read it, and exchange it the following week. One book leads to another, a single story sparks a new question, and reading quickly becomes a joyful habit rather than a school assignment. When Children Ask for More Books Giving children the freedom to choose their own books unlocks something powerful. A child who shuns school textbooks might discover a story that captures their imagination. When they return the next weekend eager for a swap, these small moments build confidence, curiosity, and a genuine love for learning.The After School Programme is more than extra lessons; it offers children the chance to discover the joy of education. Books spark this transition, and art sustains it. Each month, children create arts and [...]

Two Decades Later: The Familia Moja Story and the Legacy That Continues Today Some of the most important stories of impact can only be understood over time.Nearly two decades ago, the young adults pictured here were among the first children to become part of Kickstart Kids International’s (KKI) story. They came together through Familia Moja, each with their own story, circumstances, strengths and hopes for the future. Their journeys were never identical. Some moved through different stages of care and support, while others transitioned into new chapters of their lives with what we now know as Kickstart by their side. Over time, each began transitioning toward adulthood and greater independence.For many long-standing KKI supporters, these are familiar faces. You helped make possible some of the care, relationships, education and opportunities that surrounded them as they grew. Their reunion gives us a rare chance to see what those years of support have meant and to reflect on how they continue to shape the work we do today. In August 2026, 18 members of that first generation of children, now young adults, came together again. Almost two decades of shared history came back into the room.“I just can’t believe that this is happening! I hadn’t seen some of my brothers and sisters for years.”Another described what reconnecting meant:“I had always looked forward to us coming together. I feel like I am not alone. This is the best day of my year. I have something to treasure!”Laughter, recognition, and the inevitable swapping of memories filled the air as familiar faces reappeared after years apart. But beneath the joy was something more significant: an opportunity to see what had happened in the years since Familia Moja and just how [...]

Stronger Families, Safer Childhoods True child protection often begins long before a crisis hits. It starts the moment we equip families to withstand life's everyday challenges.Following a Financial Empowerment Training in July 2026, caregivers in Olturoto launched the Hope Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA). This community-led group provides a platform for members to pool their savings, access affordable loans, and back one another during tough times.The initiative is already gaining momentum across the community, with membership climbing from 16 caregivers to 22. Members are actively buying shares, building a joint savings pool, and taking out loans to cover vital household needs. They have also set up a Social Fund that gives members a vital safety net during emergencies without the stress of repayment; a brilliant display of community solidarity. "I used to keep all my savings on my phone. Whenever an emergency struck, I spent everything because it was just too easy to access. With our VSLA, my money stays safe, I save more, and I have learnt the discipline of planning for the future." - Hope VSLA member.Best of all, the caregivers completely own this project. They have elected their own leaders, drafted their own constitution, and continue to drive the group forward through shared accountability. What started as a simple training session has transformed into a living, locally led solution.Another caregiver shared:"Knowing that our Social Fund protects my family during an emergency gives me real peace of mind. I can get a loan from people who actually know and trust me, skipping the complicated hurdles that usually make borrowing impossible. That gives my family hope." A Lasting Impact At Kickstart Kids International, we know that stronger families create safer childhoods. By investing [...]

It Takes a Community to Protect An Environment Where Children Can Thrive Olturoto Shopping Centre was unusually busy on the morning of June 5, 2026.Children carrying gloves and rubbish bags moved purposefully between groups of teachers, community members, local leaders, caregivers, and staff. Laughter mixed with conversation as they all worked side by side, united by a common goal: creating a cleaner and healthier environment for everyone.Then came the song."We have to save our planet, so we can live and grow. We might only be children, but we will try, you will see."As the children sang, many adults paused to listen. Their words were simple, but their message was powerful. The future of Olturoto belongs to these children, and they already understand something important: caring for the environment means caring for the people who depend on it. A Community United for Change On World Environment Day, more than 300 learners, teachers, community members, local leaders, Community Child Protection Committee (CCPC) members, and staff came together to clean Olturoto Comprehensive School and the surrounding shopping centre. What began as a community clean-up soon became something much bigger, a demonstration of what a community can achieve when they come together around the well-being of its children.The participation of local leadership, led by the Area Chief, set the tone for the day. Teachers worked alongside learners, community members volunteered their time, and families joined hands to improve the places where children learn, play, and grow. The atmosphere was energetic and hopeful. Everyone had a role to play, and everyone showed up. Learning Collective Responsibility For the children, the day offered more than an opportunity to collect litter. It was a chance to see adults leading by example and [...]

My Voice, My Story. Finding the words to express feelings is often difficult for many children. Some children speak through conversation, others through play, and some through quiet moments of creativity that slowly reveal their confidence.One Saturday in May at Olturoto Children’s Village (OCV), our After-School Programme created space for exactly that. Through a storytelling session titled “My World, My Story,” we encouraged children to explore their voices, imaginations, and experiences in ways that felt safe, personal, and empowering.Advisory  Board Member Janice Njoroge facilitated the session. She introduced the children to a powerful idea: every child has a story worth telling. More importantly, children do not have to write stories. They can draw, act, speak, imagine, or share them through poetry. As the session unfolded, creativity and excitement quickly transformed the room. Some children carefully wrote stories about future dreams, moments of courage, or people who make them feel strong. Others picked up pencils and crayons to draw places that bring them joy and peace. A few children chose poetry, while others created imaginative stories about kindness, superheroes, and the world they would create if given the chance.The growing confidence behind the creativity stood out. Quiet children became deeply engaged, proudly sharing their ideas and expressing themselves freely among their peers. One child excitedly shared: “I can now write my story and draw my happy place.” For us at Kickstart, the session represented something much deeper than storytelling. It became another important step toward helping children understand that their voices matter. Following recent safeguarding sessions around speaking up and staying safe, the activity reinforced that children can communicate thoughts, emotions, worries, and hopes in many different ways, especially in ways they feel comfortable with.At Kickstart, [...]

More Than a Fun Day: Building Confidence, Belonging, and Community On a bright weekend in Olturoto, the grounds of Olturoto Children’s Village (OCV) came alive with energy, laughter, and a powerful sense of belonging. What began as a Fun Day quickly became something more, a shared experience that united children, parents, and the wider community in a safe, supportive space.The event pursued a simple but intentional aim: creating a safe environment where children learn and play while strengthening community connections. The response spoke volumes. Over 100 children attended, along with 52 parents and community members. Notably, many families brought children who have not yet joined the After-School Programme demonstrating a growing demand for safe, engaging spaces in the community. Throughout the day, children participated in a lively readathon, building confidence as they read in groups and expressed themselves freely. Parents and guardians did not just observe; they actively encouraged, listened, and celebrated their children’s progress. This shared participation reflected a deeper shift: families and the community now treat learning as a collective effort rather than something confined to the classroom.The energy carried onto the football pitch, where the children displayed teamwork, resilience, and confidence. Beyond the excitement of the game, their growth stood out; they applied the very skills they consistently develop through the programme. One caregiver shared a powerful reflection: "This programme has made such a difference in my daughter’s life. She used to be very shy and could not even speak to visitors at home. Now she is confident, welcoming, and expressive. I am truly proud of her.” The children felt an equally clear sense of achievement. One boy, beaming after the match, said: “I felt so proud to play for our team. [...]

The Box that Gives Children A Voice. What happens when a child feels unsafe, but does not have the words or space to say it? Often, they stay quiet. They carry the weight of fear alone, convinced that no one will listen. In February, Kickstart Kids International sought to change that narrative. Our life skills session focused on one vital theme: Speaking Up and Staying Safe. From Whispers to Clarity We began with a simple circle. A child whispered a message to their neighbour: “You are important.” By the time it travelled around the room, the message had warped.The children caught on quickly: when messages are hidden or whispered, they lose their truth. They realised that when serious issues are kept in the shadows rather than spoken about clearly, they grow into something much bigger and more dangerous. Breaking the Silence Through interactive games and role-play, the children explored the thin line between “good secrets” and “bad secrets.” They examined real-life scenarios, learning to ask themselves the hard questions:Does this secret make me feel scared?Is someone being hurt?Did someone say, “Do not tell”?The lesson was clear: Bad secrets must never be kept. For many children, the greatest danger is not just the harm itself, but the silence. Silence protects manipulation and bullying. But on this day, silence lost its power. A Vessel for Courage: The Talking Box We then introduced something small, yet deeply significant: a decorated box we call The Talking Box.To an adult, it is just a box. To a child, it represents safety, courage, and hope. The kids learned that if something feels unsafe, they can write it down. They can include their name when it is serious, knowing that safe, loving adults will open it with care and respond responsibly. Most [...]

When Talent Meets Support On a chilly Saturday in March, something truly special that we had never done before unfolded during our  After School Programme session. For the first time, children arrived not just as learners, but alongside their parents and guardians. What began as a simple session on talent identification quickly grew into a powerful experience of connection, reflection, and shared discovery. The focus of the day was clear: to help every child recognise their talent and help every parent understand their role in nurturing it. As the session began, parents and children sat side by side in the classroom. Together, they explored what talent means, how it shows up in everyday life, and why it matters. For many parents, this was a moment of realisation. They began to see that talent can be found not only in academic success but also in creativity, confidence, expression, and unique abilities that often go unnoticed. Then came the moment that completely changed the atmosphere. One by one, children stepped forward to showcase their talents. Some danced with joy, others performed magic tricks that left the room in awe, while some spoke with confidence, sharing their thoughts and ideas. Each performance carried courage and something even more powerful: belief in themselves.But what made this moment unforgettable was not just the children. Parents stepped in too! They clapped, laughed, encouraged, and then joined in. Some danced alongside the children, others attempted the magic tricks, and many simply stood in awe, seeing their children in a new light. In that moment, the distance between parent and child faded, replaced by pride, support, and shared joy. The energy moved from the classroom to the field, where parents and children faced off [...]

From Resilience to Reach: Strengthening the Circle of Care As 2026 began, children in our community returned to school carrying more than books—they carried the weight of economic hardship, family stress, and uncertainty.At Kickstart Kids International, through Olturoto Children’s Village, our focus this quarter has been clear: to strengthen the circle of care around every child—at school, at home, and in the community. A Safe Space That Children Are Choosing In January, demand for our After-School Programme surged beyond capacity. Over 70 children attended regularly every Saturday over these 3 months, with even more seeking to join.Every Saturday, this space became more than a classroom. It became:A place for academic support and mentorshipA safe environment for open conversationsA source of nutritious mealsA community where children feel seen and supportedEven in February and March, when heavy rains and flooding made access difficult, children continued to show up, a powerful reflection of how much this space matters. Building Stronger, Safer Children This quarter, we went beyond academics to equip children with life skills that protect and empower them:Safeguarding Awareness: Through “Speaking Up and Staying Safe,” children learned to identify trusted adults and report concerns. We introduced the Talking Box, a safe and confidential way for children to speak up.. Click here to Read more of this story. Confidence & Resilience: Sports and group activities built teamwork, confidence, and emotional strengthBroader Perspectives: Lessons on global citizenship encouraged children to see themselves as part of a wider world Supporting Families, Restoring Dignity A child’s wellbeing begins at home. This quarter, your support helped us strengthen families:70 children received clothing and shoes, restoring dignity and supporting school attendance30+ counselling sessions provided critical psychosocial support to children and caregivers48 caregivers engaged in [...]

BELONGING BEYOND BORDERS By Victoria Kamau, General Manager, Kickstart Kids International When I first heard the phrase "Everyone belongs" as the theme for this year’s Australia Harmony Week, it felt both simple and profound.From Kenya, that message feels deeply familiar. Here, belonging is not a slogan. It is family. It is neighbours who show up. It is aunties and grandparents who step in when a parent is overwhelmed. It is a community built on shared responsibility. And when belonging is strong, children thrive.I grew up in a community where doors were rarely closed. If one household struggled, others quietly stepped in. No child belonged to just one family; they belonged to the community. That sense of shared responsibility shaped how I understand protection and care today. Belonging Begins in Family At Kickstart Kids International and through our work at the Olturoto Children’s Village, we have seen how easily belonging can be shaken when families face economic pressure, illness, or isolation.Children do not want separation, and families do not want to be replaced. They want support. That is why we no longer provide institutional care. We strengthen families because children grow up best in families, not institutions.Through counselling, after-school support, and livelihood strengthening, we help caregivers build stable homes where children feel safe and secure. Belonging begins in the family. Partnership Rooted in Shared Values Kickstart Kids International’s partnership with Little Zaks Academy and our other Australian-based (individual) funders is grounded in a shared belief: every child deserves the best start in life.In Australia, Little Zaks Academy centres nurture children’s confidence and curiosity in safe learning environments. In Kenya, we work to ensure children experience that same foundation within their own families and communities. While these [...]