The Undungu Society

The Undugu Society of Kenya have worked with street children since the 1970s and has now set up street associations, a concept that has worked well in West Africa but had not been tried in Kenya before.

18 were formed in 2006 and 15 formed by July in 2007 and they equip young leaders to transform malicious gangs into healthy, constructive and self regulating groups living on the streets. Many are then able to find employment and ultimately safer places to live.

Rehabilitation is a crucial part of the Undungu Society work and is carried out through the Kitengela centre, which rescued 88 street children in 2007. Vocational skills training is also important and in 2007, 29 children were placed from street associations into vocations such as welding hairdressing, driving, mechanics, and dressmaking.

We are delighted that the Undugu Society was awarded the Civil Society Award of the 4th Annual Human Rights and Democracy Awards by the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights. The award "recognises the life changing impact" of Undugu's programmes.