Glad’s House Kenya is a registered non-governmental organization (NGO) based in Mombasa, Kenya. We are deeply committed to improving the lives of vulnerable children and youth, particularly those living on the streets or coming from marginalized communities. Since our establishment, we have worked tirelessly to address the unique challenges faced by these young individuals, providing them with the support they need to rebuild their lives, restore their dignity, and create pathways to a brighter future.

At Glad’s House Kenya, we believe that every child deserves to grow up in a safe environment where they can thrive, develop their potential, and pursue their dreams. Our mission is to create lasting change by protecting children’s rights, providing essential services, and offering sustainable alternatives to street life. We work with children and youth who have faced severe hardships, including homelessness, abuse, exploitation, and neglect, by offering them a comprehensive support system that meets their emotional, educational, and physical needs.

Our Vision

Glad’s House will ensure that tens of thousands of children will realize their full potential and that those who are duty bound to protect them, will protect, and their rights will be realized.

Our Mission

Glad’s House is committed to empowering street children to take responsibility for their own lives. We will facilitate opportunities for these children and young people to create positive change in their lives by being a leading organization in sports, education, child rights and child protection.

Glad’s House want to ensure that the children and young people  we support will not be criminalized for being on the streets and that there will no longer be unlawful round ups. Glad’s House is advocating for changes in systems and policies that are currently failing children and young people in Mombasa County, Kenya and Globally.

Education: Providing quality education and vocational training that empowers children and youth to build better futures for themselves.

• Healthcare: Offering access to medical care and emotional support to ensure both physical and mental well-being.
• Social Support: Creating a nurturing environment where children and youth can develop healthy relationships and social skills, preparing them for reintegration into society.
• Rehabilitation & Reintegration: Assisting children in transitioning from the streets back into their communities, with the tools and support needed to thrive.

Our Goal

Is to ensure that the children and young people we support will not be criminalised for being on the streets and that there will no longer be unlawful round ups. To this end, Glad’s House is advocating for changes in systems and policies that are currently failing children and young people in Mombasa County, Kenya and globally.

We work with a variety of partners in both the private and third sectors to develop and implement entrepreneurial strategies to help us to achieve our goal of generating a significant percentage of our income in country.

Our Values

Responsibility

We ensure that every child gets the best out of our programmes and achieve their dreams using available resources. We use the resources given to us by partners, donors and supporters effectively and do not waste money on luxuries that are not necessary to improve the lives of the children and young people we work with.

We will be open about the things that haven’t worked as well, as well as the things that have worked well. We take responsibility for programmes that my not have worked as well and will share that learning.

Change Makers

We are unhappy with the current status quo so we are changing it. We work with like-minded partners to create change and we are fearless in our mission.

Child centred

Whatever we do, whether supporting an individual child or young person or creating change within our society, the children and young people we serve will always be at the centre of everything we do.

Every children or young person we support will own their future, not the staff. Every programme we create and every change we strive to make, will be created with the children and young people we support, it will not something dreamt up in a boardroom.

Determination

We want to achieve the best possible results with every child and young person we work with and with changing the current systems that fail these children and young people. We will NEVER give up just because things get ‘tough’ or the outcome seems unachievable.

Sustainability

We wholeheartedly believe in hand ups, not handouts. We strive to ensure every single child and young person is working towards living independently without depending on us or anyone else.

As an organisation we don’t want to rely on hand outs either and we are working towards generating a significant % of our operational costs ourselves to ensure that we are totally sustainable.

Our Approach

At Glad’s House Kenya, we take a holistic, child-centered approach that focuses on the needs of each individual child. Our programs are designed to address the root causes of street life, providing practical solutions that empower children and youth to overcome challenges and break free from the cycle of poverty.

1. Street Outreach & Awareness

We begin by identifying children living on the streets and reaching out to them. Through our street outreach programs, we engage with vulnerable children, offering them immediate support and services such as food, shelter, and counseling.

2. Safe Shelter & Care

For children who are ready to leave the streets, we offer a safe haven where they can live and receive the care they need. Our residential facility provides a supportive environment, where children can heal emotionally and physically from the trauma they have experienced.

3. Education & Skills Development

We believe education is key to breaking the cycle of poverty. Glad’s House Kenya provides both formal education and vocational training to help children and youth develop the skills they need to build a sustainable future. By partnering with local schools, training centers, and vocational programs, we ensure that every child has the opportunity to learn and grow.

4. Family Reintegration & Community Engagement

We work closely with the families and communities of the children we support, aiming for the safe reintegration of children back into their homes or communities when possible. Our family reintegration programs focus on mediation, counseling, and support to ensure that children can return to a stable and supportive environment.

5. Empowerment & Advocacy

Glad’s House Kenya advocates for children’s rights at the local, national, and international levels. We are dedicated to raising awareness about the issues facing vulnerable children and working with policymakers, communities, and other organizations to create systemic change.

Our Impact

Since our founding, Glad’s House Kenya has helped hundreds of children escape life on the streets, providing them with a pathway to a more stable and fulfilling future. Through our programs, we have seen significant improvements in the lives of the children we work with, including:

• Increased school attendance and academic achievement
• Improved health and well-being
• Successful family reintegration and community reintegration
• Enhanced vocational skills and employment opportunities

We are proud of the progress we’ve made, but we recognize that there is still much work to be done. Every year, we continue to expand our reach and impact, ensuring that more children and youth have access to the care and support they deserve.

Why It Matters

Every child deserves love, protection, and the opportunity to thrive — yet for thousands of street-connected children, these basic rights are out of reach.

Vulnerable street children are among the most marginalized and at-risk members of society. Many have been driven to the streets by poverty, family breakdown, abuse, or neglect. On the streets, they are exposed to violence, exploitation, hunger, addiction, and a lack of access to education, healthcare, and shelter. Often stigmatized and criminalized rather than supported, these children are left to survive in environments no child should ever face.

But street children are not the problem — they are a reflection of deeper social injustices.

Helping street children matters because:

• It’s a matter of human rights. Every child, no matter their background, has the right to safety, education, healthcare, and a life free from harm and discrimination.
• It breaks cycles of poverty and neglect. By intervening early and providing long-term support, we help children build stable, independent futures — reducing future social and economic burdens.
• It creates safer, more inclusive communities. When vulnerable youth are empowered, they become agents of positive change rather than victims of exclusion.
• It restores dignity and hope. Many children on the streets have never experienced trust, belonging, or self-worth. Helping them reclaim their identity and future is a powerful act of justice and compassion.

At Glad’s House Kenya, we know that when we invest in street children, we are not just saving lives — we are transforming them. Their potential is extraordinary. All they need is someone to believe in them and walk alongside them.

Because no child belongs on the streets. Ever.

Outreach Program

At the heart of Glad’s House Kenya is our Outreach Program — the first vital step in connecting with children and young people living and working on the streets of Mombasa.

Our outreach teams go where others often don’t — directly to the streets, markets, dumpsites, and transit points — to meet children where they are, offering safety, support, and a listening ear without judgment. These interactions are often the first time these children experience trust, care, and the possibility of a different life.

Our outreach work focuses on:

• Building Trust: Through consistent presence and compassionate engagement, we form meaningful relationships with children and youth, many of whom have faced rejection and abuse.
• Providing Basic Needs: We offer immediate support — including food, clean water, clothing, hygiene supplies, and emergency medical assistance.
• Offering Psychosocial Support: Trained staff provide emotional care, crisis intervention, and counseling to help children cope with trauma and begin healing.
• Raising Awareness: We educate young people about their rights, health, and available services — empowering them to make informed choices.
• Creating Pathways to Support Services: Our outreach is a bridge to deeper engagement. When children are ready, we connect them to our drop-in centre, education programs, family reunification, rehabilitation, or safe housing services.

We believe outreach is more than a service — it’s a lifeline. It respects each child’s dignity and autonomy while gently guiding them toward a future free from the dangers of street life.

By showing up, again and again, we send a powerful message:
“You are not alone. You are seen. You are valued. And there is hope.”

Transition Program

For many young people living on the streets of Mombasa — especially boys — the road to stability and independence is long and filled with obstacles. At Glad’s House Kenya, our Transition Program is designed to walk alongside these youth, offering the support, structure, and opportunities they need to move from crisis to stability, and ultimately, to a life of dignity and self-reliance.

Our Transition Program is a bridge from street life to sustainable living. It begins once trust has been built through outreach and drop-in services and continues as each child chooses to take the next step forward.

What the Transition Program Offers:

1. Safe Transitional Housing
We provide a stable, nurturing environment where children — particularly young boys from the streets — can begin to heal from trauma, rebuild routines, and experience a sense of belonging. Our transitional homes are staffed by trained caregivers who offer guidance, mentorship, and consistent support.

2. Access to Education
We believe that education is a powerful tool for transformation. Whether it’s re-enrolling in formal school, pursuing vocational training, or offering alternative learning pathways, we tailor educational plans to meet each young person where they are. Our goal is to give them the knowledge and skills to shape a brighter future.

3. Foster Care and Family Reintegration
Where safe and appropriate, we work toward reuniting children with their families or placing them in loving foster homes. We offer extensive family assessments, counseling, and follow-ups to ensure long-term safety and emotional well-being. In cases where reintegration isn’t possible, we identify and support suitable foster care placements — ensuring that no child is left without a family to call their own.

4. Life Skills and Psychosocial Support
Transitioning from street life requires more than shelter — it requires healing, resilience, and empowerment. We provide life skills training, mental health support, and mentorship to help youth build confidence, set goals, and make informed decisions.

Why It Matters

Young boys living on the streets of Mombasa face daily dangers — from violence and exploitation to drug abuse and hopelessness. Without intervention, many are trapped in a cycle of poverty, crime, and neglect. The Transition Program exists to break that cycle.

We don’t just provide temporary relief — we create pathways to lasting change, helping children imagine and build a life they once thought impossible.

Because every child deserves more than just survival.
They deserve a future.