Olturoto Children’s Village (OCV) (an initiative of Kickstart Kids International) was registered as a Charitable Children’s Institution (“CCI”) in Isinya, Kajiado County. OCV was opened on 26^th June 2014 as a transition centre for abused, abandoned and neglected children. The children would be referred by local administration e.g. chiefs, the Government of Kenya’s Sub-county Children’s Office or other CCI’s and would often stay in OCV for a maximum of up to three years, before being reunified with their families.

This was achieved through Rescue, Empowerment and Reintegration (RER) methodology. At the heart of our work was the belief that all children belong in a family and as such we avoided long term stay beyond a reasonable period that would allow us to resolve the issue/s that caused the children to be separated from their families. All empowerment efforts were aimed at ensuring that we would eventually be placed/reintegrated back into a safe, stable and sustainable home environment.

UNICEF Recognition: OCV was featured as a successful example of transitioning from institutional residential care to family-based care. Our reintegration efforts were highlighted in the Government of Kenya Care Reform Strategy and cited in a UNICEF Case Study (pg. 26) as a model for reuniting orphaned and vulnerable children with their families.

In 2017, OCV became aware of the emerging care reform agenda in Kenya and decided to transition to a model of family and community-based care by the end of 2019.  OCV realised it could build off the work of its existing reintegration programme. Using child participation techniques, and a tag line that “home is best”, OCV helped the children understand and own the process of reintegration.  Each child had an individual care plan which was followed closely and updated as necessary.

Of the 34 children and young adults in the OCV program, 11 were reintegrated with their biological parents, 7 were placed in kinship care, 5 were referred to other CCIs for long-term care, and 11 young adults transitioned into independent living. Since 2020 to date, OCV has continued to support a total of 21 children at the family level.

11 care-leavers continue to be supported to pursue their academic goals through payment of school fees and with mentoring, counselling and life skills through various forums on a regular basis.

Click here to download a PDF to learn more about OCV’s previous work.