Is there is a child working in your home cooking, cleaning, fetching water, caring for your children? Many households in Kenya employ young domestic workers without fully realising what that choice costs a child. But this Friday, 12 June, is the World Day Against Child Labour and it is a moment to pause and ask an honest question: How old is the person working in your home? In Kenya, 300,000 children are working instead of learning. A significant number of them are behind the closed doors of private homes doing work that keeps them out of classrooms, away from childhoods they will never get back. "Child domestic work is not just a poverty issue. It is a child protection and human rights crisis one we can end, together." This year's theme says it clearly: "Red card to child labour: Fair play for children, decent work for adults." Fair play means adults doing adult work with fair wages, dignity, and contracts. It means children going to school, not replacing adult labour because it is cheaper or more convenient. You have the power to be part of the solution: ✅ Employ adults and pay them a fair, living wage ✅ If a child is already in your home, support them back into school ✅ If you know of a child at risk, call our toll-free line: 0800 721 402 ✅ If you lead a business or corporate partner with us to make workplaces and supply chains child-labour free Change does not always start with governments or policies. Sometimes it starts with a decision made inside a home or a boardroom. This Friday, show the red card. 🟥 ICS-SP — Investing in Children and their Societies since 1994. 🔗 icsafrica-sp.org #WorldDayAgainstChildLabour #RedCardToChildLabour #NotInvisibleAnymore #ICSSP #EndChildLabour #ChildDomesticWork #FairPlay #Kenya

There was a time when play was simply part of growing up. Children climbed trees, invented games in dusty courtyards, told stories under moonlight, and made sense of the world through imagination. Communities intuitively understood that a child at play was thriving. Then the world changed. Urbanization. Conflict. Poverty. Pressure to grow up faster. The spaces for play quietly shrank and with them, a piece of childhood itself. "Play is a sign that children feel safe and nurtured and loved. They feel somewhat that they can be children even in the midst of great difficulty." — Catherine Russell, UNICEF Executive Director The world observes the International Day of Play, first marked on 11 June 2024 as a significant milestone in global efforts to preserve, promote, and prioritize play for all people, especially children. Because play is far more than recreation. It is a universal language, spoken across every culture, every border, every socioeconomic divide. And for children in particular, it is essential: 🧠 It builds cognitive, creative, and problem-solving skills 💛 It fosters resilience and emotional regulation 🤝 It strengthens relationships and social bonds 🌱 It helps children overcome trauma and reclaim joy 📚 In the classroom, play-based learning makes knowledge stick Restricting play is not a neutral act it directly impedes a child's well-being and development. At Investing in Children and their Societies (ICS SP), our Early Childhood Development work is built on the conviction that play is not a reward. It is a right. We work with parents, caregivers, schools, and communities to integrate play into everyday life because children who are given the freedom to play grow into resilient, creative, and capable adults. This Friday, we invite you to celebrate with us. Let a child play without a schedule. Share this post. And stand with every child's right to be a child. 🌍 ICS-SP Investing in Children and their Societies since 1994. 🔗 lnkd.in/d7HpQHFe #InternationalDayOfPlay #EveryChildDeservesToPlay #ICSSP #EarlyChildhoodDevelopment #PlayBasedLearning #ChildRights #LetChildrenPla

Five years ago, we started with community parenting sessions. Today, we've helped rewrite what family life looks like for thousands of Tanzanians. When a parent is equipped, supported, and treated as a partner in their child's development, everything changes. Children grow up safer. Fathers show up differently. Communities begin to protect their own. Over the past five years, ICS SP Tanzania has reached some of the country's most vulnerable communities not just with programmes, but with a conviction that lasting change begins at home. 📊 43,000 parents & caregivers reached 📊 11,685 fathers engaged 📊 10 regions under government-led delivery What makes this different? This isn't just programme delivery. It's national architecture embedded into Tanzania's own government systems, validated through the National Parenting Package, and built to outlast any single intervention. We integrated livelihoods support, mental health awareness, and financial literacy alongside parenting because a family cannot thrive on good intentions alone. 74,376 people reached in 2024 alone. And this is only the beginning.🌍 We'd love to hear from partners, governments, and changemakers who believe in the power of family-centred development. Let's connect. #FamilyStrengthening #ChildProtection #GenderTransformative #Tanzania #SocialDevelopment #EarlyChildhoodDevelopment

It is often said, If you want to go fast, go alone. But if you want to go far, go together. At Investing in Children and their Societies (ICS SP), this is more than a quote it’s the foundation of everything we do. We believe that no child thrives in isolation. That is why our work is built on Childcare Systems Strengthening- lasting, collaborative change. We invest in the people who care for children every day: teachers, health workers, social workers, parents, and community leaders. We train them. We equip them. We walk alongside them. We also recognize that strong families need strong systems. That is why we work hand-in-hand with governments, like our recent visit with the Ministry of Education and the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) in Kisumu and Busia to ensure that quality childcare, early learning, health, nutrition, and child protection are not separate efforts, but one seamless, integrated service. Together, we are: ✅ Building the capacity of caregivers and educators ✅ Advocating for policies that support parents and protect children ✅ Strengthening community-based care that is accessible, culturally rooted, and fair ✅ Pushing for recognition, fair wages, and investment in care work Every day we continue to witness what happens when partners co-create instead of compete. When we all sit at the same table for the same child. Because a child’s future is not built by one hand. It is built by many. 🗣️“Elimu ni sasa, kwa kila mtoto Education now, for every child. We cannot do this alone. If you are a partner, a policymaker, a parent, or an organization that believes in the power of collaboration – let's walk this journey together. 👉 Reach out to us. Let's talk about how we can co-create solutions that strengthen systems, empower families, and give every child a fair chance. ✅ Follow our page to stay updated on our work. ✅ Share this post if you believe in going far together. #PartnershipsForImpact #ElimuNiSasa #Cocreation #EarlyChildhoodDevelopment #SystemsStrengthening #ICS_SP

Have you ever witnessed something that didn't feel right in your community but didn't know who to call or where to Report? At Investing in Children and their Societies (ICS SP), we pride ourselves in creating safe spaces for children and communities and this past Friday, we took time to renew that commitment through a PSEA refresher session. #PSEA stands for Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse. These sessions help us stay alert, keep our values front and centre, and make sure every person we work with is treated with respect and dignity. You can call us if you have seen, heard, or experienced any of the following: — Someone being hurt, threatened, or taken advantage of — Inappropriate behaviour by a staff member or volunteer — A child being mistreated in any way And here is what we want you to know: ✔ The call is completely free ✔ What you share stays private your name is never revealed ✔ You will not get into trouble for speaking up No concern is too small. If something does not feel right, trust that feeling and reach out. 📞 254 800 721 402 #Safeguarding #PSEA #ChildProtection #Communities #ICSSP

As we culminate the International Day for Missing Children, ICS-SP is honored to have our Executive Director, @BeatriceOgutu , featured on Ramogi TV to spotlight the urgent need to protect children and strengthen community action in preventing children from going missing. Tune in for an insightful conversation on child protection, awareness, and our collective responsibility in ensuring every child is safe, seen, and supported. 💙🧩 🔗 youtube.com/watch?v=u4LWd8kY… #InternationalMissingChildrensDay #ChildProtection #NoChildStandsAlone #SafeguardingChildren #ICS_SP

ICS-SP is glad to join partners including the @Ministry of Gender, Culture and Children Services, the The Catholic University of Eastern Africa Africa (CUEA), Mtoto News, Stahili, and many others in commemorating International Missing Children’s Day 2026. 🧡 “When does a missing child case actually begin?” Not when a police report is filed. Not when a child runs away. It begins the very first time a child signals distress and nobody responds. This was the powerful message from our Executive Director, Beatrice Nyakwaka Ogutu, during her keynote address at the International Missing Children’s Day Commemoration & Social Work Conference. Because children do not simply disappear. They disappear where systems fail, where communities fall silent, and where warning signs are ignored. Our ED reminded us that every child matters equally including the children too often overlooked: street-connected children, refugee children, children with disabilities, children from poor rural communities, and teenagers labelled as “runaways.”Today, danger no longer waits at the door. It enters through smartphones, social media platforms, gaming spaces, and online “friendships.” Predators do not create vulnerability they exploit it. As communities weaken, children become more vulnerable. Once, neighbours noticed, teachers intervened, and communities protected their children. We must rebuild that collective responsibility. At Investing in Children and their Societies (ICS SP), we refuse to look away. Because one missing child is one too many. 🧡 #IMCD2026 #NeverForgotten #ProtectEveryChild #BringOurChildrenHome #BecauseOneIsOneTooMany

📦✨ WE’VE MOVED ✨📦 New location. Same passion for children and families. 💙 We’re excited to share that our Kilifi office has officially moved to the Kilifi County Child Protection Centre, next to the Huduma Centre, Kilifi! 🎉 This new space places us at the heart of key service and government offices, strengthening collaboration and coordination as we continue working towards safe, nurturing, and protective environments for every child. 🤝👧🏽👦🏽 A huge thank you to our partners, colleagues, and everyone who continues to support this journey. We look forward to creating even greater impact together from our new home!📍Come visit us: maps.app.goo.gl/hpqVxKcX3cRH… #WeHaveMoved #NewOffice #Kilifi #ChildProtection #CommunityImpact #ForEveryChild

📢 We Are Hiring: Research Assistants Investing in Children and their Societies (ICS SP) is seeking qualified and passionate Research Assistants to support the baseline assessment for the Mobilizing Action for Meaningful, Empowered Beginnings for Children (MaMEB) Project. 📍 Locations: • Nairobi – Mathare (4) • Kisumu – Muhoroni (4) • Turkana – Lokichar (4) This short-term opportunity is ideal for individuals with experience in: ✔️ Qualitative & quantitative data collection ✔️ Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) & interviews ✔️ Digital data collection tools such as KOBO Collect ✔️ Transcription & field research ✔️ Community engagement and stakeholder interaction Join us in contributing to safer, nurturing environments where children can learn, thrive, and realize their full potential. 🗓 Application Deadline: Friday, May 22, 2026 Apply now and be part of meaningful change for children and families. lnkd.in/d77sVRhQ #Hiring #ResearchAssistant #NGOJobs #KenyaJobs #DataCollection #FieldResearch #MonitoringAndEvaluation #KOBOCollect #ChildProtection #ResearchJobs #ICSAfrica #MaMEBProject #NairobiJobs #KisumuJobs #TurkanaJobs

⏱️2 days to go! Happy #mothersday 👩‍🍼 Think about your mother figure, her sacrifices, her loud and silent cheers. The long days and even longer nights she endured to ensure you had a chance at a better future. Across Africa, millions of mothers wake up every day carrying the weight of their families’ survival, nurturing children, providing care, putting food on the table, and holding communities together, often with limited support and overwhelming challenges. Women make up a significant share of caregivers and informal workers across the continent, yet many mothers still face barriers to education, economic opportunities, mental wellness support, quality childcare, and safe environments for their children. When mothers struggle, children and communities feel the impact too. But when we empower mothers, we strengthen entire generations. At Investing in Children and their Societies (ICS SP), in #Kenya #Tanzania and #Cotedivoire, we champion mothers and caregivers through: ✨ Positive parenting programmes that strengthen nurturing care ✨ Support for adolescent mothers and young families ✨ Safe spaces and psychosocial support for caregivers and children ✨ Community-led child protection and family strengthening initiatives ✨ Advocacy for safe, nurturing, and violence-free environments for children ✨ Capacity building for parents, caregivers, and community champions Because a mother is the root, the foundation that holds the home together. When mothers are supported, children thrive. When children thrive, communities prosper. This Mother’s Day, we invite partners, donors, and friends to stand with us in investing in mothers, strengthening families, and securing brighter futures for children across Africa. 🤝 Our work here has just began. Partner with us to continue creating safe and nurturing environments where every child and every mother can thrive. #MothersDay #InvestInMothers #FamilyWellbeing #PositiveParenting #ChildProtection #WomenEmpowerment #ParentingSupport #NurturingCare #CommunityImpact #ICS_SP #InvestInChildren #SafeFamilies #StrongerCommunities

“When I became a mother at 17 years old, I thought my dreams had come to an end. But through the Kuimarisha Project, I have hope yet again."– Adolescent Mother, Kakamega County This Mother’s Day, we honour the resilience of adolescent mothers across Kakamega County who are rewriting their stories against all odds. In Kenya, thousands of adolescent girls become mothers every year, often facing stigma, school dropout, and limited access to essential support systems. In Kakamega County alone, adolescent pregnancy continues to affect thousands of girls annually, reshaping futures too early. Through the Kuimarisha Project by Investing in Children and their Societies (ICS SP), adolescent mothers are being supported to rebuild their lives and strengthen their families. We focus on three key areas of transformation: ✨ Mental health and psychosocial support ✨ Economic and life skills empowerment ✨ Early childhood development support for young children We do this by working closely with families, community structures, and government systems to provide safe spaces, structured parenting support, and linkages to health, education, and protection services. This integrated approach ensures adolescent mothers are not left behind but are actively reintegrated into pathways of dignity and opportunity. In 2025 alone, the project reached over 2,300 adolescent mothers in Malava and Shinyalu sub-counties, strengthening caregiving capacity and improving child wellbeing outcomes at the household level. Our work is supported by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation. 💛 Watch our video to hear real stories of transformation, resilience, and renewed hope. This Mother’s Day, partner with ICS SP to continue empowering adolescent mothers, strengthening families, and building resilient communities where every child has a chance to thrive. Happy Mothers Day! 👩‍🍼 #MothersDay #KuimarishaProject #AdolescentMothers #EmpowerMothers #EarlyChildhoodDevelopment #MentalHealthSupport #GirlsEmpowerment #PositiveParenting #FamilyStrengthening #ICS_SP #Kakamega

We’re celebrating a BIG win! 🎉 On 2nd May 2026, Investing in Children and their Societies (ICS SP) through our Tanzania team was honoured with a Certificate of Appreciation from the Prime Minister’s Office, Regional Administration and Local Government (PO-RALG), Dodoma. This recognition highlights our contribution to advancing the Dodoma Regional Plan of Action to Eliminate Violence Against Women and Children a powerful milestone in strengthening systems that protect children and families. But beyond the certificate, this is about impact. It reflects the tireless work of our teams, partners, and communities who are driving real change, challenging harmful norms, strengthening child protection systems, and ensuring children grow up safe, protected, and thriving. Kudos Team TZ! 👏🏽🇹🇿 This win belongs to all of us. And most importantly, it’s a win for children. Here’s to scaling impact, strengthening systems, and building a future free from violence. #StrongerFamilies #ChildProtection #EndViolenceAgainstChildren #TZTeam #ImpactInAction #SafeChildhoods #PartnershipsForChange

Reflecting on an engagement with our partners including Conrad N Hilton Foundation @UNICEF , @WHO , @AKUGlobal, @Amref_Kenya, @aphrc ,one thing stood out clearly the growing recognition of the power of Early Childhood Development (#ECD) in shaping long-term outcomes for children and families. Our work through the #Kuimarisha project continues to demonstrate that investing in #caregivers especially #adolescent #parents creates a ripple effect that strengthens #child #wellbeing, #family #stability, and #community #resilience. As conversations move toward Phase II and potential expansion, we are encouraged by the strong affirmation of this approach. The focus now is on deepening impact refining our model, strengthening partnerships, and ensuring cost-effective, scalable solutions grounded in evidence. This is a reminder that #ECD is not just a programme area it is a foundation for equity, opportunity, and lifelong development. Team Kuimarisha Aluta Continua 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 #EarlyChildhoodDevelopment #ECD #NurturingCare #ChildWellbeing #ParentingSupport #AdolescentParents #CaregiverSupport #FamilyStrengthening #CommunityImpact #EvidenceBased #ScalingImpact #PartnershipsForImpact #GlobalHealth #AfricaDevelopment #Kenya #Tanzania @

🔔 OPPORTUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT | Implementation Research Consultancy Investing in Children and their Societies (ICS SP) is seeking experienced research consultants/firms to lead implementation research under the Violence Against Children in and around Schools (VACiS) Project in Kenya and Tanzania (April 2026 – June 2027). This is a unique opportunity to generate credible, publishable evidence on violence prevention programming across three discrete research assignments: 📌 Assignment 1 – Gender-Transformative Parenting: Co-occurrence of VAC & IPV 📌 Assignment 2 – Whole School Approach: VAC Reduction & Learning Outcomes 📌 Assignment 3 – Social Norms Programming: IPV Reduction (Kenya) & Early Marriage (Tanzania) Applicants may apply for one or more assignments. ✅ WHO SHOULD APPLY? We are looking for firms or consultants with: • Master's or doctoral qualification in Social Sciences, Gender Studies, Epidemiology, or related fields • At least 7 years' experience in programme evaluation, implementation research, or applied social research with a focus on VAC, child protection, or GBV • Proven track record of child-sensitive and gender-sensitive research in East Africa • Proficiency in Kiswahili is highly desirable for Tanzania-based assignments 📂 TO APPLY: Submit your Cover Letter, Technical Proposal, Work Plan, Financial Proposal, CVs of key personnel, References, and a Sample Evaluation Report via the link below. 🔗 Upload your application here: [ icsafrica-sp.org/tenders/102… ⏰ Deadline: 8th May 2026 Help us build the evidence base that protects children and transforms communities. #VACiS #Consultancy #Research #ChildProtection #GBV #EastAfrica #Kenya #Tanzania #ICS #JobOpportunity #OpenTender

Think back to your childhood. 👇🏾 What did discipline look like in your home? Was it the belt? The "look"? Silence that lasted days? Slaps delivered with a smile in front of visitors? Or something else entirely something that was never called abuse, but felt like it? Most of us grew up believing that pain was love. That fear was respect. That surviving it meant it worked. But our latest Op-Ed published today asks a harder question: What did it actually do to us? Investing in Children and their Societies (ICS SP) @martinaodira8 writes about the cycle we inherited, and how we can choose to break it raising children who are confident, emotionally grounded, and kind. Not because they fear us, but because they trust us. Read the full piece 👉epaper.standardmedia.co.ke/i… Tell us in the comments what did discipline look like in your home growing up? 💬 #PositiveParenting #EndViolenceAgainstChildren #RaiseThemRight #ICSSR #ParentingAfrica #ChildRights #GenderTransformative

Gender equality and violence prevention require the active engagement of men and boys as partners in change. At ICS-SP, we work with men and boys to challenge harmful gender norms, embrace positive masculinity, and promote non-violence, care, and equality within families and communities. Through dialogue and community-based programming, we support men to become nurturing fathers, responsible partners, and engaged caregivers. This shift is essential in promoting shared responsibility within households, strengthening families, and improving child wellbeing. We invite partners and stakeholders to collaborate with us in championing the engagement of men and boys because lasting change is only possible when everyone is part of the solution. #MaleEngagement #GenderEquality #PositiveMasculinity #ChildProtection #FamilyStrengthening #PartnershipsForImpact #ICS

Poverty traps families. Economic empowerment sets them free. 💪 At ICS SP, we support vulnerable women & girls through Village Savings & Loan groups and skills training because when mothers thrive, children are protected. 🌱This is how we break the cycle. One family at a time. 👉 Learn more & support our work: icsafrica-sp.org #Livelihoods #WomenEmpowerment #GirlsEducation #ChildProtection #ICSsp #EndPoverty #BreakTheCycle #EveryChildDeservesAGoodFuture

Every chocolate bar has a story. An estimated 790,000 children under the age of 18 are working on cocoa farms in Côte d'Ivoire, and 97% of them are engaged in the most hazardous work: clearing land, harvesting with machetes, and applying agrochemicals. This is the reality behind the world's cocoa supply chain. And it is one ICS SP is committed to changing. Through our Gender Transformative Skilful Parenting (GTSP) Programme, we are working at the heart of this crisis within the SOCADA and SOCASIB cooperatives in Alepe and Gadouan transforming the household dynamics and unequal power relations that drive child labour and gender exploitation. 🎯 2,000 cocoa-farming households supported 👨‍👩‍👧 4,320 parents & caregivers directly reached 👶 8,640 children whose futures are being protected 🌍 5,000 community members engaged for lasting change. Because ending child labour isn't just a supply chain issue, it's a family issue. And change starts at home. 👉 Partner with us. Fund the change. Be part of the solution. 📩 Reach out: info@icsafrica.org 🔗Learn more: icsafrica-sp.org #EndChildLabour #GenderEquality #GTSP #CoteDIvoire #SkilfulParenting #ICSsp #CocoaSupplyChain #ChildProtection #SustainableCocoa #FamilyStrengthening #EveryChildDeservesAGoodFuture #InvestInChildren @WorldVision @WHO @ChildFundAfrica @save_children @ilo

🌿Discipline Should Teach, Not Harm As children spend more time at home this holiday, many parents and caregivers are navigating behavior, boundaries, and responsibility. But one question matters: 👉 Are we correcting children, or are we hurting them? Too often, discipline is mistaken for punishment. Although shouting, humiliation, or physical punishment may stop behavior in the moment, they can harm a child’s confidence, trust, and emotional well-being in the long term. 💡 Positive discipline offers a better way. It is about guiding, teaching, and nurturing, not instilling fear. 🔎 What does positive discipline look like? ✔ Setting clear and consistent boundaries ✔ Explaining why behavior is wrong and what to do instead ✔ Listening to children and validating their feelings ✔ Using consequences that teach, not punish ✔ Modelling the behavior you want to see 💛 Children don’t just learn from what we say, they learn from how we treat them. 👉This holiday, let’s raise children with respect, patience, and understanding because safe homes build strong futures. #PositiveParenting #ChildProtection #EndViolenceAgainstChildren #VACiS #SafeHomes #CommunityAction