The futures you're helping to build -

One of the greatest joys of leading Kenyan Kids is being able to share good news with the

people who make it all possible.From university places and new skills to exciting plans for the future, here are a few glimpses of what has been happening in our Familia family.

Many of you will remember Val, who joined our Familia family as a young girl. Last week, she received the news she had been hoping for: she has been offered a place to study Law at Tom Mboya University.

For us, this is about much more than one university place. It represents years of perseverance, encouragement and opportunity. Watching our young people grow from vulnerable children into confident adults is one of the greatest privileges we have.

One success inspires another

Val isn’t alone. Mary Janet is continuing her nursing degree and is now undertaking her first practical placement in Homa Bay. Phanice has completed her first year studying International Relations and Diplomacy. Rather than spending her summer break simply resting, she has enrolled on a short professional course at Utalii College in Nairobi to train as a barista. She hopes the qualification will help her find part-time work during university and give her valuable practical skills for the future.

Faith is also nearing the completion of her teacher training. For her final placement, she has been offered a position at Wema Academy - a school that some of our own girls attended not so long ago. Itfeels rather special to see Faith returning there as a trainee – she will be teaching Chemistry and Biology.

Building her future

Another milestone worth celebrating is Esther's. After completing her diploma in Civil Engineering, she has now left our Familia home and is beginning life as an independent young woman. Although she hasn't yet found a role in her chosen field, she has secured work and is supporting herself while continuing to look for opportunities that match her qualifications.

Watching our young people take these first steps into adulthood is exactly what Familia is all about. Our hope is that this is just the beginning of Esther's journey, and we're proud of the resilience, determination and independence she has shown.

The journey doesn't end at 18

One of the things we've realised over the years is that our young people's greatest financial need often comes after they leave school. University fees, accommodation, books and practical placements cost far more than primary or secondary education ever did. The girls many of you first met as children are now becoming nurses, teachers, lawyers and future leaders. Thanks to your support, they haven't simply survived childhood; they're building independent lives that will, in turn, change the lives of others.

Meanwhile, everyday life continues for our younger children. The classrooms at Arc en Ciel are full of eager learners, and our staff continue to provide stability, care and encouragement.There are always challenges, of course, but there is also enormous joy in seeing children who once struggled now laughing, learning and growing in confidence.

One of our much-loved teachers, Rosla, has been seriously unwell and has needed an extended period away from school while undergoing medical treatment. We would be grateful if you would keep her in your thoughts and prayers as she continues to recover. In the midst of this uncertainty, our new Head Teacher, Madam Janet, has brought energy, wisdom and a genuine heart for the children. She has quickly earned the respect of both staff and pupils, and we are already seeing the difference that strong, compassionate leadership can make.

As part of our continued growth, Arc en Ciel Academy is now applying for an upgrade to our government registration so that we can officially offer Grade 4 and above classes from 2027.

Investing in potential

One of the things we love most about Kenyan Kids is that creating opportunity doesn't always end with the children. Sometimes helping children means investing in the people who care for them.

Alvin is our school caretaker and groundsman, and an invaluable member of the team. Although he was unable to complete his secondary education, he has proved himself to be hardworking, trustworthy and eager to learn.

We are now exploring the possibility of sponsoring him to take a practical vocational course. He is considering training either as a solar installer or as an electrician - skills that would not only transform his own future but also benefit our school and wider community.

It is another reminder that sometimes the greatest gift we can give is not simply support for today, but an opportunity to build a better tomorrow.

New beginnings

We're also excited to share two new developments:

Familia Coffee began with a simple dream: to create sustainable employment for widows and single mothers, enabling them to provide for their children with dignity and

hope.

Our own coffee farm is still being developed – a process that takes time, patience and care. In the meantime, we're proud to have launched our own branded coffee, sourced in partnership with like-minded Kenyan growers who share our commitment to supporting local communities.

Every bag represents something much bigger than coffee. It reflects our belief that strengthening families is one of the best ways to protect children. By creating opportunities forparents to earn a sustainable income, we hope to see more children growing up safe, secure and full of hope.

Familia Coffee is currently available in Norway, and we hope to begin delivering to France and the UK very soon.

Our new Kenyan Kids website is now launched, making it easier to keep in touch with our work, read stories from Kenya and follow the progress of the children and young people whose lives you are helping to transform.

Whether you have supported us for many years or have only recently joined our Kenyan Kids story, we hope the website (www.Kenyankids.org) will give you a deeper glimpse into the lives and stories behind our work.

Looking ahead

As we prepare for the months ahead, we are looking forward to welcoming volunteers during the month of October. In the meantime, we continue to invest in the education, training and future employability of our young people.

We are constantly reminded that none of this happens by accident. It happens because people like you choose to stand alongside us.

When I first came to Kenya more than sixteen years ago, I could never have imagined that one day I would be writing about young people studying law, nursing, teaching andinternational relations. Every one of these stories began with someone needing to be seen, encouraged and given an opportunity.

Thank you for being among the people who believe in them. Your kindness continues to ripple through families and communities in ways we could never have imagined. Thank you for praying, encouraging and making opportunities possible that simply would not otherwise exist.