At Glad’s House Kenya, we believe that true change goes beyond charity — it requires justice. While we work every day to meet the immediate needs of vulnerable children and youth, we are equally committed to challenging the systems and attitudes that keep them marginalized.

Our Advocacy Program is the voice behind our work — pushing for the recognition, protection, and fulfillment of the rights of street-connected children and young people in Kenya.

What We Advocate For:

1. Protection of Children’s Rights
   We advocate for policies and practices that recognize street-connected children as rights-holders — not criminals or outcasts. This includes access to education, healthcare, shelter, justice, and participation in decisions that affect their lives.
2. Justice System Reform
   Too often, vulnerable youth are arrested, detained, or imprisoned for petty offenses or simply because they live on the streets. We push for diversion programs, restorative justice, and alternatives to detention that treat children with dignity and compassion.
3. Inclusive Policy and Service Design
   We work with local and national governments, service providers, and communities to ensure that policies are inclusive and responsive to the unique realities of street-connected children and marginalized youth — especially young boys in Mombasa who are often overlooked.
4. Public Awareness & Community Engagement
   We challenge harmful stereotypes and stigma through media campaigns, community dialogues, and educational initiatives. We amplify the voices of the young people we serve, empowering them to speak out and advocate for their own rights and futures.
5. Systems Change Through Partnerships
   We collaborate with civil society organizations, child protection actors, and international networks to push for long-term systemic change. Together, we work to hold institutions accountable and promote sustainable, child-centered solutions.

Why It Matters

Direct support changes individual lives.
Advocacy changes the system.

Without structural change, children will continue to be forced onto the streets, punished for their poverty, and denied access to the services they deserve. Our advocacy ensures that the voices of street-connected youth are not only heard — but acted upon.

Because building a just society means making sure every child is seen, valued, and protected — not just in words, but in law and action.