Kivuko is a Swahili word for "ferry" or "passage". Our Kivuko project is a journey; we help children travel from a dangerous street life to a destination of safety and security, where they can fulfil their incredible potential. Our projects range from the simple and urgent, such as immediate medical care and counselling for street children, to family reintegration, business training for teenagers and parenting programmes for families.
70% of Mwanza's 500,000 inhabitants live in unplanned settlements lacking basic facilities like road, schools and water. Against this backdrop, many children feel they stand a better chance on the streets. A recent headcount showed at least 1,254 street-connected children. What they find on the streets, however, is often worse. They face dangers every day including violence, sexual exploitation, and drugs. This toxic environment can lead to a cycle of negative outcomes for generations to come.
Kivuko provides wide-ranging support to the region's 1000+ street children. Kivuko's support is not "one size fits all". Every individual child is unique, and so every child's journey with Kivuko will be tailor-made to their own particular needs and ambitions. Support ranges from the simple and urgent, such as immediate medical care and counselling, to the complex and sensitive, such as reintegration with their families, or developing business skills and employability as teenagers.
Our outreach workers will engage with 300 children on the streets in Mwanza and provide any immediate support needed. More than 100 children will re-engage with education at our drop-in school. More than 100 children will be reunified with their families. 200 young people will take part in our Youth Assocations project, equipping them with business and employability skills needed to become self-sufficient and secure income and employment.
