About us
Raising Futures Kenya is the charity working together with young people to create opportunities for rewarding futures. Without these opportunities, one in five young people in Kenya face living in poverty; unable to reach their potential. We value the strength and individuality of every young person we encounter. We have worked in Kenya, through close collaborations with Community Based Organisations (CBOs), Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), communities and individuals since 2001 to create real, lasting change at community and individual level.
Our work includes providing practical trade and business skills training alongside tailored well-being support, which enables young people to overcome past traumas and realise their ambitions. Together we break the cycle of poverty and inequality. We support young people and their families through a network of staff, graduates, mentors, supporters and volunteers, to realise their potential.
Every young person deserves the opportunity to build a self-reliant, bright, future.
Our values
We are inclusive – We listen to people and work together with them to develop solutions that really work and last. We do not discriminate on any basis.
We are compassionate – We believe in the potential of all children and young people and recognise their challenges. We feel compelled to provide the support and opportunity that will help them change their lives.
We are collaborative – We work together to make change happen, we’re happy to share with and learn from individuals and organisations to create the biggest impact.
The story of Raising Futures Kenya
Raising Futures Kenya was known as Vision Africa Give a Child a Future until December 2018. Vision Africa was founded by Reverend and Mrs Packard in 2001. In the 1990s the couple moved to Kenya from the North of England to work as Chief Administrators at an independent children’s home in Nairobi.
They learned a lot during their time at the children’s home and when they left their roles there, they founded a charity that would support vulnerable children and young people in the country they now called home – Vision Africa was born. Reverend and Mrs Packard were inspired to start Vision Africa by their Christian faith. As a charity we have always worked with those of all faiths and none and we carry the Packard’s values of love, compassion and inclusivity in everything we do.
The charity has worked with children and families in Kenya for 20 years, taking practical action in the areas of education and community development.
Today we are led by a passionate, diverse team who all share the charity’s core values of inclusivity, compassion, and empowerment and we share a desire to see a world in which families, children, and young people in Kenya live with dignity, opportunity and hope.
In 2018 we relaunched Vision Africa as Raising Futures Kenya to give a clear emphasis on our intentions and work for the future. Our roots have shaped our direction giving us a way to confidently express our ethos and values in the future.
You can read more about our change of name in this blog post.
Emily was found in the community by one of our outreach team and invited to join the Seed of Hope Fashion and Dressmaking course. She went on to become class president at Seed of Hope, she now runs a tailoring business whilst taking care of her daughter, whose education she is able to support with her own income.
Key policies
Here are a few of our key policies, if you have any questions or would like to find out about our other policies, please do not hesitate to contact us hello@raisingfutureskenya.org.uk.
Annual Report and Accounts
Here are our 3 latest Annual Report and Accounts. You can find the full history on the Charity Commission website.
- Raising Futures Kenya – Annual Report 2021
- Raising Futures Kenya – Annual Report 2020
- Raising Futures Kenya – Annual Report 2019