In Kenya, the cost of public school fees and other essential requirements for a single child can be double the annual salary of single parents, who often work long hours on local farms.

As a result, many children are frequently sent home because their families cannot afford the fees or proper uniforms, and 47% of children are unable to attend public secondary school due to the cost.

We believe every child deserves the opportunity to access education and follow their dreams.

At the heart of our mission is to:

• Provide children with an education by supporting primary, secondary and tertiary fees.
• Further support their education by supplying the essentials needed to thrive. These include uniforms, books, shoes, stationery, access to school meals, menstrual care products for girls and funding accommodation costs for college and university students living away from home.
• Deliver educational seminars on topics such as career and academic guidance, developing study habits, stress management, life skills and entrepreneurship.

As of January 2025, we have been able to support over 650 children through education; 274 have completed primary, 191 have completed secondary and 72 have completed college/university. Many have gone on to find work in fields such as medicine, beauty therapy, engineering, hospitality, carpentry, retail and the military. All of this simply would not have been possible without our wonderful child sponsors.

Click here to find out more about our child sponsorship programme which brings hope to children of all ages by giving them access to a place of education, without the fear of being sent home due to non-payment of fees.

Many families in Kenya face poverty, unemployment, and instability, which can contribute to significant stress and trauma. Our counselling services offer a crucial outlet for families to cope with the emotional toll of these challenges, helping them build resilience and improve their overall mental health.

Mental health challenges can significantly impact a child’s ability to concentrate in school, form healthy relationships, and perform to their full potential academically. Our counselling services address these issues by providing essential emotional support and coping strategies for both children and their parents or guardians. This holistic support ensures families can navigate difficult situations while empowering children to thrive in their education and reach their full potential.

Issues relating to mental health often carry a stigma, and many people may not seek help due to cultural beliefs or lack of awareness. Our team regularly visit children both at home and at school, as well as parents in their homes, to provide one-on-one and group counselling sessions. These sessions help break down this barrier, providing a safe space for people to express their struggles and receive professional support without judgment.

It costs £30 for us to deliver a full day of counselling services for families in need. If you wish to donate towards this, you can do so here.

Seminars have played an important role in supporting and guiding children and their families through life's challenges since the early days of GEF.

These seminars cover a broad spectrum of topics, including personal development, gender-based violence, parenting skills, stress and anger management, conflict resolution, entrepreneurship, substance misuse, life skills, reproductive health, career and academic guidance, and mental health awareness.

Held in Iten, Karatina, or Lokichar, we have successfully delivered 50 seminars, benefiting over 3,000 children and parents since 2014.

However, securing the necessary funding to continue these seminars remains one of the charity's biggest challenges. Costs range from £130 to £7,000, depending on the number of participants, the location, and the duration of each seminar.

If you are interested in learning more or making a donation to support these seminars, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Many families in Kenya, particularly in the Turkana region, struggle with food insecurity due to frequent droughts and unpredictable weather. This directly impacts children’s health, energy levels, and ability to focus on their studies, as hunger affects their concentration, academic performance, and overall wellbeing. The resulting food shortages and water scarcity make families more vulnerable, further disrupting children’s education and health.

In many households, parents lack formal education, which affects their ability to make informed decisions about both farming and their children’s education.

Our farming programme equips families with the tools and training to grow their own food, ensuring a steady source of nutrition and income. By teaching sustainable and climate-resilient farming, health, nutrition, and financial management, we empower parents to support their children's education and well-being. Our holistic approach reduces financial burdens and the risks of children being sent home and worrying where their next meal will come from. This creates an environment for them to thrive academically and personally, giving them the chance to reach their full potential in school and beyond.

For families who do not have their own space for farming, we lease a plot of land and supply the seeds, fertiliser, and other essentials they need to grow their own food for consumption and sale. In the first year, we cover the cost of the land lease, seeds, and fertiliser. In year two, the family takes over the land lease, and by the third year, the goal is for them to be able to purchase their own seeds and fertiliser - building self-sufficiency and long-term stability.

Below are some examples of what we can do with various donation amounts. By supporting these costs, you are directly helping families break the cycle of poverty and secure a future of hope, health, and opportunity.

Seeds and fertiliser - £65
Land tilling, pest control & planting - £65
Land lease for one year: £85

Please get in touch to find out more or visit our Meals with Meaning initiative page which details how restaurants are making this area of our work possible.

Where farming support is not feasible, we provide families with monthly food assistance to help them navigate a variety of challenging circumstances. These include situations where older siblings must care for and feed younger children due to the absence of a parent or guardian, families and Cheerful Children's Home caring for children with disabilities, and families affected by HIV, for whom we provide specific nutritious foods to support their immune systems.

We would be incredibly grateful to any company or individual willing to contribute towards this area of our work, either as a one-off or monthly contribution. A small food package costs £25, while £40 provides a larger food package.

Our Meals with Meaning restaurant initiative is also playing a crucial role in making some of this support possible. Each time a customer dines at one of our partner restaurants, one of the impacts they enable is a meal being provided to a child in Kenya. This is achieved through a voluntary 50p or £1 addition to each bill, with restaurants matching the donations.