We are a Pan African Non-Profit Incubating Child Well-being Solutions.

The African Institute for Children Studies (AICS)

We set the agenda on the evidence informed priority list of actions to improve child well-being in Africa. With strong belief in local knowledge, we work with community groups, young people, expert teams, and governments to co-create tested solutions and advocate for scale up.

Explore our Projects and Resources

Blogs

Whose Agenda? Where should Kenya put its money to ensure child wellbeing?

“Whose agenda?” is not just a rhetorical question—it’s a practical challenge to government and civil society alike to align priorities and ensure that the welfare of children is not sidelined in public policy and financing. Agenda setting determines which issues receive the attention, funding, and action needed to drive equitable development in Kenya. 

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What does localization look like in practice?

Localization | Locally led | Decolonized Humanitarian actions….. is there evidence that this is beyond just a rhetoric

Here are experiences from East and Southern Africa by African Institute for Children Studies and the Consortium for Re-Imagining Humanitarian Action (CRHA)  

Click on this link to view the video 

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Food Sovereignty vs Food Security for Africa

The global landscape of food systems is marked by persistent hunger, malnutrition, and the urgent need for sustainable development. Despite significant advancements in agricultural production, a substantial portion of the world’s population continues to face undernourishment, highlighting that the mere availability of food is not the sole determinant of food well-being. This context highlights the central debate between two dominant models for addressing these issues: food security and food sovereignty. These seemingly related concepts represent distinct principles, priorities, and proposed solutions, leading to ongoing discussions about their effectiveness and appropriateness, particularly for countries in the Global South. 

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Resources

The Africa Knowledge Hub for Children

Access data and emerging evidence across Africa.
We are launched an enhanced platform on 19
th June, 2025!  Click here to learn more

The IJAC Journal

Access peer reviewed materials in the Interdisciplinary Journal on the African Child (IJAC)

Lessons from Other AICS Projects

The Mental Health Project

From 2019 AICS, in partnership with KAIH and Kamili Organization, implemented a mental health project that established community-based services in Kajiado and Meru Counties. The project trained health workers, set up mental health units in Level 4 and 5 hospitals, and supported county-level action plans. Key lessons showed that community systems are essential in early identification and care. Further investment is urgently needed, especially for justice-involved individuals and access to approved medications. 

Watch Video for more information  

‘Keepin’ it REAL’ Substance Use prevention Program

AICS has implemented the “Keepin’ it REAL” program to prevent substance use among 800 adolescents in Athi River and Embakasi. The evidence based program is designed by th eGlobal Center for Applied Health Research in Arizona State University. The project strengthened school-based life skills education and built national partnerships, including with NACADA. Key lessons showed culturally adapted prevention programs are both feasible and widely accepted. Further investment is needed to scale locally relevant, evidence-based interventions and integrate prevention science into Kenya’s education system to protect more young people from early substance use. 

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Access to Justice for Children Program

Since 2016, AICS has played a key role in improving access to justice for children in Kenya. As part of national committees, AICS helped shape the first child justice data system integrating police, children’s services, prosecution, and aftercare. This pilot improved case management and highlighted the need for data-driven justice reforms. Continued investment is essential to scale integrated systems and ensure all children receive timely, coordinated legal protection and support across Kenya. 

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The Youth Innovation Hub

The Youth Innovation Hub is a vibrant platform where young changemakers co-create solutions to the world’s most pressing child and community development challenges.As part of AICS’s strategic vision for 2025–2030, the Hub empowers youth through leadership training, peer collaboration, and hands-on project design focused on real-world issues. 

From a Tree to a thriving school

In 2020, Benjamin, a 24-year-old AICS Scholar-Leader from Kajiado South, started teaching 11 children under a tree to tackle the lack of nearby schools. By 2024, his makeshift school had grown to over 100 students in five iron-sheet classrooms. He now seeks support for a feeding program, teachers, and learning materials—proving how youth-led solutions can drive powerful change.

Brian Empowers Mothers of Children with Disabilities 

Brian, 22, from Kajiado Central, launched a table banking group to help mothers of children with disabilities access income and education. Inspired by a local girl with a speech disability, he advocated for inclusive schooling and connected families to scholarships and services. Now in its third savings cycle, the group aims to start poultry and beekeeping projects—blending social protection and climate resilience through youth leadership. 

AICS Interns and Volunteers

The Clinton School of Public service 

For the past several years, the African Institute for Children Studies (AICS) has proudly collaborated with the University of Arkansas’s Clinton School of Public Service, hosting their graduate students for a 12-week internship program. This unique exchange, facilitated through our Youth Innovation Hub in Kenya, offers a mutually transformative experience for both AICS and the interns. 

The program seamlessly integrates education, mentorship, and social enterprise principles. It’s built upon a shared dedication to equipping young individuals with the skills and opportunities necessary for meaningful employment and impactful leadership within their communities. 

Victoria Mwende’s Story 

Victoria embodies resilience and strength. In her young life, she overcame a deeply traumatic experience as a victim of online sexual exploitation. Not only did she bravely face her perpetrator, but she also transformed that profound adversity into a powerful force for good. She’s now a remarkable young woman, equipped with a college diploma in child protection and a strong advocate against online child sexual exploitation. 

Defying significant odds, Victoria even successfully registered her own foundation. It supports various Charitable Children Institutions (CCIs) across Kenya. We’re proud to now partner with her in our programs, working together to advocate for the end of online child sexual exploitation. 

Amanda’s Story

Amanda is a remarkable intern who greatly assisted us in the setting up of the Scholar Leader Program which saw 20 boys and girls get tuition scholarships and start community projects in their communities. Her longstanding endeavor to see marginalised people get quality eduacation and rise above their situations has been tremendous. Amanda still fundraises for this program ensuring to mobiise for resources to change the lives of more boys and girls, especially in marginalised communities. 

Consortium for Re-Imagining Humanitarian Action (CRHA)

Access tools, evidence, and advocacy from a locally led action-research platform promoting culturally responsive, sustainable, and effective humanitarian interventions in Africa.

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Children Agenda Forum

Connect with over 200 locally led child-focused organizations in Kenya supporting advocacy, research, and capacity building to advance children’s rights in the SDGs.

  •  Advocacy Public Spending on Children
  • Partnering with the Government to align in priority areas for Children: In June 2025, the Children Agenda Forum sent a team of 11 representatives to meet with the Permanent Secretary in charge of the State Department for Children Services. This was an inaugural meeting that concluded with the strong commitment of government to walk side by side with local CSOs and collaborate in all their endeavours.  Learn more 

The Not-Invisible Anymore (NIA) Movement

  • Story on the advocacy for ILO Conventions 189 and 190 – the what and why 

We advocate for the Ratification of the ILO Conventions C189 & C190 talking about decent work and workplaces free from vioence and harassment. Convention 189 touches on the rights of domestic workers, a workforce that silently but diligently drive the economy in most if not all countries yet their work is disregarded, disresected and not considered decent. The ratification of these conventions ensures that domestic workers are treated with dignity because domestic work is real work. 

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The Safeguarding Network

The Safeguarding Network 

Access certified Safeguaring experts trained under the Funders Safeguarding Initiatives 

Learn more and Join the network 

International Conference on Child Protection (ICCP), Nov 5-7, 2025, Nairobi, Kenya

Join in the 3rd ICCP 2025 in Nairobi, Kenya, a biennial international conference, held since 2016, bringing together stakeholders to address how climate change impacts child protection and drive evidence-based action across Africa. 

Learn more and Register to Participate   

Youth Employment Summit, Aug 8, 2025, Nairobi, Kenya

This summit will present evidence and develop a roadmap to create entry-level jobs in domestic work, agriculture, and manufacturing sectors.  

1st Child Domestic Work Convening in Eastern Africa in July, 2025

AICS together with partners form the Not Invisisble Anymore Hotsport Program supported by the Freedom Fund will host the first ever Child Domestic Work Convening in Eastern Africa in July 2025. This forum seeks to highlight the different challenges that countries n the region face in curbing domestic work involving children and come up with a united front in eardicating this from the region. 

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