From Street Sparks to Skilled Success
Delivering street-smart outreach, family reunifications, and skill-building support to empower Nairobi's vulnerable youth toward safe, thriving futures.
01
Outreach & Trust Building
Every Saturday afternoon, Street Friends of Africa staff and volunteers converge at Michuki Park in Grogan to connect with youth living in street situations. This outreach delivers instant support through nourishing hot meals, on-the-spot first aid for injuries, and interactive gatherings that blend life-affirming discussions with fun, recreational moments. Our steadfast commitment and genuine care cultivate trust, hope, and a profound sense of community among street youth, reminding them they're valued and visible.
The program's ambitions reach far beyond momentary aid, embracing emotional nurturing and enduring partnerships. By truly hearing their stories and walking alongside them with empathy, our passionate young Kenyan team—many high school and university students—inspires visions of brighter tomorrows and invites them into our Njia ya Maendeleo Community Hub, where they can mend from trauma, surround themselves with uplifting role models, and embark on skills training for a self-sustained life.
02
Pre-Screening
Every post-Saturday follow-up, Street Friends of Africa mentors and facilitators create intimate one-on-one spaces at Grogan Garage Roundabout to assess and affirm youth living in street situations. This screening provides gentle relief through informal health glances, motivation chats, and quick referrals for pressing needs, all wrapped in supportive, non-judgmental conversations. Our reliable, respectful approach builds confidence, clarity, and a sense of possibility for street youth, affirming their potential without pressure.
The goals of the program extend far beyond initial checks to foster self-awareness and committed steps forward. By validating their strengths and addressing barriers with compassion, our dedicated Kenyan team—inspired by local wisdom—inspires them to envision aligned journeys and encourages their participation in our Mwelekeo wa Twende orientation, where they can seal their commitment, access positive incentives, and pursue tailored blueprints for emotional and skill-based transformation.
03
Let's Go Orientation
Every immediate post-Saturday gathering, Street Friends of Africa leaders and youth allies host an energizing circle at our emerging community space near Grogan to welcome selected street youth into the fold. This orientation delivers instant inspiration through vision-sharing sessions, rule-brainstorming pacts, and fun icebreakers like dream-mapping activities, all infused with celebratory vibes. Our warm, inclusive presence ignites excitement, ownership, and a spark of belonging for street youth, marking their bold first claim on a hopeful path.
The goals of the program reach deeper than the day's thrill to cultivate purpose and sustained buy-in. By co-creating expectations and highlighting rewards like attendance stipends, our vibrant Kenyan facilitators—rooted in community spirit—inspire them to dream big and transition into our Ushauri na Uchunguzi counseling, where they can map personal strengths, embrace positive guidance, and step into healing with renewed resolve.
03
Counselling & Screening
Every mid-week appointment, Street Friends of Africa counselors and social workers form confidential havens at our Njia ya Maendeleo Community Hub to guide street youth through self-discovery. This screening offers profound insight through in-depth interviews, psychological evaluations, and collaborative plan-crafting, delivered with empathy and cultural sensitivity. Our steady, trauma-aware support uncovers hidden potentials, addresses risks, and restores dignity for youth burdened by past hardships, helping them feel truly understood and empowered.
The goals of the program extend beyond evaluation to spark tailored empowerment and forward momentum. By honoring their narratives and co-designing roadmaps with care, our skilled Kenyan counselors—drawing from indigenous healing traditions—inspire them to reclaim agency and encourage their entry into our Uponyaji healing sessions, where they can mend emotional scars, draw from supportive circles, and build resilience for literacy and vocational horizons.
03
Healing
Every mid-week circle, Street Friends of Africa therapists and creative mentors gather at our Njia ya Maendeleo Community Hub to cradle street youth in recovery. This program provides deep solace through trauma-focused group and individual sessions, weaving art therapy, play-based expression, and mindfulness with Swahili-infused affirmations. Our compassionate, consistent facilitation mends fractured spirits, cultivates emotional fortitude, and rekindles joy for youth haunted by violence, neglect, and isolation, offering a safe harbor to breathe and bloom.
The goals of the program ascend higher than restoration to fuel inner power and visionary steps. By witnessing their courage and celebrating breakthroughs in shared spaces, our heart-centered Kenyan team—grounded in local storytelling—inspires them to embrace healed identities and invites them into our Elimu Msingi ya Kusoma literacy classes, where they can ground newfound strength, engage uplifting peers, and prepare for skill-building triumphs.
03
Basic Literacy
Every day classroom, Street Friends of Africa educators and peer tutors assemble at our Njia ya Maendeleo Community Hub to unlock the minds of street youth. This program delivers foundational empowerment through 3-hour daily immersions in reading, math, and life skills, gamified with interactive puzzles, apps, and real-world simulations like budgeting games. Our engaging, adaptive teaching ignites curiosity, confidence, and capability for youth sidelined by educational gaps, transforming "impossible" into achievable strides.
The goals of the program stretch further than basics to ignite lifelong learning and opportunity. By tailoring lessons to their sparks and cheering every "aha" moment, our innovative Kenyan instructors—infused with cultural proverbs—inspire them to own their intellect and propel them toward our Rudi Shule au Mafunzo ya Ufundi training, where they can apply fresh knowledge, connect with mentors, and launch into certified vocational futures.
03
Back to School or Skill Training
Every dedicated training block, Street Friends of Africa trainers and vocational partners unite at Seed of Hope centers to propel street youth into mastery. This program provides transformative acceleration through 6-month passion-aligned immersions in tailoring, mechanics, or hairdressing, enriched with hands-on apprenticeships, Saturday progress shares, and job-shadow explorations. Our motivating, milestone-celebrating guidance forges expertise, independence, and pride for youth ready to trade survival for success, bridging streets to sustainable livelihoods.
The goals of the program extend eternally beyond certification to seed legacy and community ripple. By matching trades to their fire and guiding placements with real-world networks, our trailblazing Kenyan mentors—inspired by servant leadership—inspire them to become change-makers and integrate into our alumni networks, where they can mentor emerging peers, sustain economic gains, and contribute to Nairobi's brighter tapestry.
"Two years ago, Nairobi's streets were my cage abuse drove me out at 14, leaving only scraps and shadows, no clue where my family vanished. Then Street Friends of Africa arrived at Grogan Garage Roundabout with meals and games that felt real. Ufikiaji outreach made me feel seen; Uchunguzi wa Awali chats opened doors without judgment. Mwelekeo wa Twende sealed my commitment, Ushauri na Uchunguzi mapped my path, and Uponyaji healed scars through art and mindfulness. Elimu Msingi ya Kusoma unlocked basics for engines, leading to Rudi Shule au Mafunzo ya Ufundi now I'm wrench-deep in mechanics, safe in Street Friends' Halfway Home, building my own foundation. They didn't rescue me; they reignited me. From street kid to spark plug hero asante sana. If you're lost, twende pamoja."
– David Mwangi
Become the Light on the Streets