Impacting Lives through

The Family Care Model

How We Work/ Implementation

Family Care Model

UKR Family Care Model is a holistic approach designed to support and strengthen families by addressing their social, economic, and psychological needs.

In 2019, United Kenya Rising (UKR) adopted the Family Care (FC) Model, transitioning from residential-based care to Family and Community-Based Care. This model shifted our focus from supporting individual children to supporting entire families, enabling a more comprehensive approach to child welfare.

Shortly after, the Kenyan government, through the National Council of Children Services (NCCS), introduced the 2019 Care Reforms, emphasizing the need for Child Welfare Programs. These reforms aim to change the systems and mechanisms of providing services to children separated from their families or at risk of separation.

The primary goal is to promote family and community care for children, as opposed to institutional or residential care, which is not family-based. Research by NCCS indicates that children raised in institutions take longer to develop mentally and intellectually.

The Family Care Model has allowed us to support children within their family units, fostering better bonding and growth in a family setting. This approach has significantly improved the quality of life for the families we serve. We strive to ensure that their social and economic needs are met, providing decent housing, secure livelihoods, and food security—essential components for family growth and stability.

UKR has been a leading advocate for Care Reforms through its Family Care Model. We have received recognition from NCCS as the best institution in Western Kenya for implementing these reforms and have been nominated for awards acknowledging our impactful work.

Why Family Care

  1. Better Child Development: Children grow better in a family environment than in residential care institutions. Government advisories mandate that all Children Charitable Institutions (CCIs) transition to family/community-based care models for child welfare programs.
  2. Cost-Effectiveness: It is more cost-effective to support a child within their family than in residential care.
  3. Strengthened Family Bonds: The model helps strengthen family bonds and ties, reducing the risk of family separation.
  4. UNICEF Guidelines: According to UNICEF’s principles of necessity and suitability, the family is the fundamental group of society and the natural environment for the growth, well-being, and protection of children. Efforts should primarily focus on enabling children to remain in or return to the care of their parents or other close family members when appropriate.

By adopting the Family Care Model, UKR ensures that families receive comprehensive support, fostering a nurturing environment where children can thrive.

Five Guiding Stars (UKR Thematic areas)

Education

Ensure children and youths get access to quality education that enable them achieve their academic and career ambitions for a better future by;

  • Offering scholarships to bright and vulnerable students.
  • Support with essential scholastic materials.
  • Encourage academic transition from one level to another
  • Encourage hands on skills through TVET program
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Livelihood

To empower families towards fostering economic independence, promote social inclusion, and cultivate entrepreneurship mindset towards a self-sustainable future by;

  • Training on basic business skills
  • Exposures to successful mentors
  • Supporting with micro grants business boosts.
  • Aid in accessing economic opportunities
  • Encourage Savings and Internal Lending Communities (SILC) groups
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Dignified Homes

Support families attain healthy living in dignified homes by;

  • Collaborating with the families in constructing/renovating dilapidated housing structures
  • Interlocking Soil Stabilized Bricks Technology
  • Support families acquire adequate basic needs
  • Promote safe and proper water, hygiene and sanitation (WASH) practices
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Agriculture

Ensure food security is attained in families via thriving farms by integrating modern farming technologies by;

  • Training and empowering families on diverse agricultural techniques e.g value addition.
  • Promote economic empowerment through agri-business
  • Mitigating climate change and enhancing ecological systems through climate smart farming.
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Health

Improving the health outcomes and well-being of vulnerable families through targeted interventions, and community empowerment initiatives by;

  • Creation of health awareness
  • Promote good nutrition
  • Ensuring high standards of hygiene and sanitation
  • Encourage acquisition of health insurance cover and accessibility to quality medical care.
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