EDU-Initiative Kenya

On 25th and 26th June, we had the privilege of mentoring young people at Ushindi Baptist Church through a two-day leadership and life-skills programme.

Through interactive sessions and practical activities, participants explored leadership, communication, teamwork, decision-making, personal growth, and responsible citizenship—equipping them with the skills and confidence to become positive leaders in their schools, churches, and communities.

We believe that investing in young people today is an investment in stronger communities tomorrow. We are proud to walk alongside the next generation as they discover their potential and grow into confident, compassionate, and values-driven leaders ready to create lasting impact.

At 𝐄𝐝𝐮 𝐈𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐊𝐞𝐧𝐲𝐚, we don’t just create opportunities, we ensure every student’s goals and education truly matter. By providing safe and empowering spaces, we help young people find their voice and step into their purpose.

Our Community Support Member, Timothy Janji Nzomo, Assistant Director at IPOA and also the Regional Coordinator of Nairobi Region, spoke to students at Township Secondary School in Kilifi on the powerful connection between discipline and success.

His message-success is not built overnight, it is built through consistency, responsibility, and the choices we make every single day.

Some key lessons shared with the students included:

* Discipline is doing the right thing even when no one is watching.
* Success begins with self-control, focus, and commitment to your goals.
* The habits you build today shape the future you will live tomorrow.
* Challenges are part of the journey, but discipline helps you keep moving forward.

The session was interactive, inspiring, and a reminder that young people have incredible potential when guided, encouraged, and empowered. Thank you, Janji Timothy, for investing your time and wisdom into the next generation. And thank you to Township Secondary School for creating space for these important conversations.

Happy Father’s Day to all fathers, father figures, and guardians who continue to shape, nurture, and inspire the lives of children through guidance, mentorship, compassion, and empowerment. We celebrate your love, strength, and dedication, which help shape families and communities every day.

Beyond the Data: A Reflection from the Evidence to Impact Symposium

The challenge is no longer whether we have evidence. The question is: what are we doing with it?Through the conversations at the Evidence to Impact Symposium, one reflection stayed-Data is never just numbers. Behind every statistic is a young person with a story, a lived experience, a challenge, and an opportunity.

Data helps us see who is being reached, who is being left behind, and where our efforts need to be strengthened. But evidence only creates change when it moves beyond reports and discussions into action.When used intentionally, data can help us design better programs, shape responsive policies, guide investments, and ensure that interventions reach the adolescents who need them most. It allows us to move from assumptions to understanding, from broad solutions to targeted approaches, and from commitments to measurable impact.

However, the question we must continue asking is:
If the evidence is showing us where the gaps exist, what more must we do to ensure that no adolescent is left behind?

The next step is not only collecting more information, it is strengthening the connection between evidence, decision-making, and the realities young people experience every day. It is ensuring that the voices behind the data are included and that knowledge is translated into meaningful action.The evidence is available. The stories are clear. Now, the responsibility is ours to act. African Population and Health Research Center Population Council African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP) Restless Development
Ndungu www.ndumos.com Ndumos Photography

"Last week at the Evidence to Impact Symposium, I had conversations that challenged, inspired and reminded me why this work matters. In a room filled with researchers, policymakers, organizations, and community leaders, one thing stood out despite our different approaches, experiences and expertise, we are united by a shared commitment to improving the lives of children and adolescents.

A conversation that stayed with me was with Ally of Care Coming from the same coastal region, we reflected on the realities our communities face and the intersections of education, health, climate justice and economic resilience. As we spoke, I was reminded that educational outcomes cannot be separated from household realities. This is something we continue to witness through our work at EDU-Initiative Kenya, where the challenges learners face in school are often deeply connected to the realities they face at home.

We cannot talk about school retention, gender equality or learning outcomes without addressing the economic pressures families face every day. What gives me hope is that we already have the evidence, the lived experiences and many of the solutions. The challenge now is ensuring those solutions are locally owned, sustainable and responsive to community needs. Real impact happens when communities lead, partnerships grow and evidence translates into action. The work continues, and so does the hope"-Executive Director Mwende Mutinda. Population Council African Population and Health Research Center African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP) Restless Development elimu afrika Aga Khan Foundation CAMFED - Campaign for Female Education Elimu Care

Bridging the Gap Between Evidence & Impact
How do we ensure that the evidence we generate doesn't just sit in reports, but shapes policies, programs, and real lives?
We are honored to be part of the 2026 Evidence to Impact Symposium in Nairobi, where adolescents, researchers, policymakers, program implementers, funders, and civil society leaders are coming together to answer that very question.
Our Executive Director Mwende will be speaking at the session:
"What the Data Hides: Uncovering and Responding to Gender Disparities in Education" (Hosted by the Population Council's EGER Project).
This conversation goes beyond aggregate statistics to uncover the hidden realities behind gender and education outcomes across Eastern and Southern Africa. More importantly, it explores how cross-sector collaboration and locally grounded policy action plans can transform evidence into meaningful, lasting impact.
Looking forward to learning, sharing experiences, and contributing to these important conversations. Lets connect.
Population Council African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC) African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP) Restless Development

Climate action is not just a global responsibility it's a local opportunity. Together, we can restore ecosystems, protect biodiversity, and build a future where people and nature thrive.

Shella Environmental Youth Org. SAEJO EDU-Initiative Kenya

Join us on 3rd June, 2026 at Samahco Eco Camp as we celebrate World Environmental Day 2026 under the theme " Global Call for Climate Action"
Thoya Ngumbao Azani Girls to Women Maono Space William Mwema EDU-Initiative Kenya Kenya Community Support Centre (KECOSCE) forest service resource center Gona

Creativity is free, but how do you turn it into currency?

If you look at the youth in our community, you’ll see an explosion of creativity and innovation. They have the ideas, the passion, and the craft. But the missing piece of the puzzle is often positioning.

How do you tell your story? How do you command attention to your product or service with limited resources?

Huge shoutout to the amazing , who facilitated an unforgettable entrepreneurial development session with these brilliant young minds. She helped them answer the tough questions about branding, messaging, and market placement.

Unmatched energy in the room. The future of business is local, vibrant, and unstoppable! youth opportunities towards advancement project

Happy Madaraka Day!
As Kenya marks 63 years of self-determination and progress, we celebrate the power of education, skills, and innovation in shaping our nation's future.

This year's theme, "Education, Skills and the Future," reminds us that empowering young people with knowledge and opportunities is key to building a prosperous, resilient, and globally competitive Kenya.