Overview

Children thrive best in safe, supportive, and nurturing environments. However, in Lunga Lunga sub-county, located in Kwale County’s southern coast, many children face unsafe conditions that expose them to early marriage, child labor, trafficking, school dropout, and domestic violence. These challenges—rooted in poverty, lack of education, and limited awareness—significantly affect their physical, emotional, and psychological development.

KidsCare Kenya, through its Community-Based Homecare Programs, uncovered an alarming number of child abuse cases in this area. In response, the community and KidsCare social workers initiated dialogues to find locally driven solutions. This gave birth to the Community Child Protection Committees (CCPCs), a powerful grassroots initiative to protect and empower vulnerable children.

Project Background

In 2022, KidsCare, in partnership with local communities, formed 24 CCPCs across 24 villages in Lunga Lunga. Each committee comprises trained, dedicated community volunteers who advocate child protection and act swiftly in response to abuse cases.

The CCPC program runs for three years (July 2022 – June 2025) and follows a structured six-phase implementation plan:

1. Preparation & Activation – Formation and onboarding of committees (Completed)
2. Guiding & Training – Awareness creation and capacity building (Completed)
3. Integration into Sub-County Structures – Linking CCPCs with government agencies (Completed)
4. Implementation – CCPCs begin identifying, preventing, and responding to abuse (Ongoing)
5. Sustainability Tools – Building long-term resilience and independence of the committees (Current Focus)

Project Purpose

The goal of this phase is to solidify the integration of CCPCs into the existing government child protection structures creating a lasting system that strengthens the safety and well-being of children in Lunga Lunga. This includes empowering committees with refresher training, stakeholder collaboration, and fundraising skills to ensure long-term sustainability

Target Groups

1. Community Child Protection Committees (CCPCs)

Comprised of local volunteers, the 24 CCPCs are well-positioned to identify and address child protection issues at the grassroots level. Their work ensures rapid responses and continuous community awareness.

2. Families and Children

Vulnerable children and families benefit directly from the CCPCs through education, protection, and access to essential services. The program also seeks to empower families with knowledge on children’s rights and prevention of abuse

3. Sub-County Child Protection Stakeholders

The program links CCPCs with Kenya’s Children Advisory Committees (CACs), ensuring government ministries, NGOs, and community organizations coordinate effectively in child protection efforts.

Methodology

The integration process is conducted through structured forums at four levels:

• Sub-county level – Engage government stakeholders and CCPC ward reps
• Ward level – Train CCPCs and define joint responsibilities
• Village level – Disseminate knowledge and reinforce community-based protection
• Community level – Large-scale awareness events involving children and families

Each forum will include interactive training (group discussions, role-play, etc.) and use awareness videos and materials to engage communities.

Key Activities

• Training Forums
• Village Dissemination
• Community Awareness Events
• Ongoing Monitoring & Evaluation

Expected Outcomes CCPCs & Government Integration

• Strong collaboration between grassroots committees and formal government agencies
• Greater community ownership and participation in protecting children
• Sustainable and resourceful CCPC operations
• Unified community networks driven by a shared mission

Impact on Families & Children

• Increased safety and well-being for vulnerable children
• Early interventions to prevent abuse and exploitation
• Broader community awareness and accountability on child protection