In 2019, we adopted the Family Care (FC) Model, implementing the model in phases. With Family Care we shifted our operations from institutional based care to serving children in their respective families. In the model, as opposed to supporting one child in the family we changed to supporting the whole family.
Family Care has enabled UKR to serve families even better. Even though the implementation process has had its fair share of challenges, we have strived to ensure that almost all the needs of the families are met and the families live in a decent home with dignity, with a meaningful source of livelihood and that they are food-secure; all important components for the growth of any family.
At UKR, we are organized into Education, Social Work, Education, and Public Health Departments for easy and effective delivery of services to the families we serve. Administration, Media, and Accounts Departments ensure the others have the support they need. The departments work closely toward realization of our goals and set objectives.
Our staff have collectively played a key role in this journey. They have been conducting home and school visits to monitor progress of families and children we serve.
Our tremendous work attracted the attention of the National Council for Children Services (NCCS) in Kenya who recognized United Kenya Rising as the best institution in Western Kenya in the implementation of Care Reforms (Family Care) model in line with government policies governing Children Charitable Institutions (CCIs).
Care Reform policy is a model in which the government of Kenya is advocating for children to be reintegrated with their respective families as opposed to being taken care of in institutions.
UKR through its family Care Model has been on the forefront in the implementation of Care Reforms adopting the model in mid-2019 and fully Implementing it in 2020.
Our Family Care model has seen us serve children in a family and community structure ensuring that the needs of the family are met by closely working in collaboration with the families through our 5 guiding stars that are: Education, Agriculture, Livelihoods, Basic Needs, and Health.
Lilian Kisienya, the head of Social Work Department at UKR has been on the forefront in championing for Family Care. She notes that it’s the best approach for CCIs to take and it will help strengthen the family structure as it is based on family, their needs, and their strengths.
“Family Care will help eradicate poverty and control issues of families at risk of separation. Adopting this model has helped reunite families and preserve them in the community.”
She adds “There is a lot of unity, a lot of love, a lot of bonding, these children get to know more about their culture and tradition. They will also be able to preserve their properties like land.”
On his end, our CEO Nelson Ida strongly believes that a child grows and develops so well when in a home and community. He encourages Children Charitable Institutions to adopt Car Reform.
“CCIs should adopt this new system. We should encourage children to live in their homes and families to take care of their children.” In line with the recognition, NCCS sent a team to do a documentary of our Family Care Model where they highlighted our approach, achievements and challenges encountered in the implementation of Family Care.
Here is the link for the documentary: https://youtu.be/X8csD8nH8WA
