Empowering Communities, One Child at a Time
27 May 2026
Tuendelee Foundation is a non-profit organization committed to supporting talented but financially underserved youth. Our work goes beyond immediate aid; we focus on holistic empowerment through scholarship, mentorship, career development, psychosocial support, and skills development. We believe in reciprocity – that when beneficiaries are empowered, they are better positioned to rise above their circumstances and eventually give back to their communities.
In line with this mission, Tuendelee partnered with the Lectors Community of St. Paul’s University Chapel to visit Smile Community Centre in Kayole, Nairobi. The visit was an opportunity to offer direct support, learn more about the realities faced by children’s homes, and explore long-term partnership opportunities for meaningful community service.
About Smile Community Centre
Smile Community Centre began in 2009 as a women’s group and was later registered as a Community-Based Organization in 2016. Today, it serves as a safe haven for orphaned, abandoned, and vulnerable children in the informal settlements of Soweto and Kayole, Nairobi. The Centre’s mission is to promote self-reliance, education, and wellbeing through shelter, care, and community support. 
Children are referred to the Centre through police stations, Children’s Offices, and the High Court. The Centre supports children affected by abandonment, orphanhood, HIV/AIDS, gender-based violence, and parental incarceration. Each child receives full documentation and individualized case management, helping the Centre provide structured and compassionate care.
A major strength of Smile Community Centre is its commitment to family tracing and reunification. In 2025, 14 children were successfully reunited with relatives after completing high school. Follow-up visits continue every three months, and the Centre works closely with the courts where needed to support long-term reintegration.
The Centre also provides education support from basic level through senior secondary school. Because of the high cost of public schooling and documentation challenges, many children attend private or community schools. Most of the 68 children currently supported are below the age of 10. In 2025, KCSE results were not as strong as hoped, but Grade 9 performance showed encouraging progress.
In addition to education, Smile Community Centre provides mentorship, trauma counselling, and professional psychological support. Medical partnerships with several institutions have helped the Centre respond to children’s healthcare needs, including a recent surgery supported by one of the medical institutions. The Centre continues to seek additional health partnerships to strengthen access to care for vulnerable children.
Despite this important work, the Centre faces significant challenges. Rising operational costs, financial limitations, documentation issues, and medical expenses continue to strain its capacity. The Centre aims to reduce its population from 68 children to around 50 in order to maintain quality care. However, overcrowding remains an issue, with the facility often hosting more than 100 children despite being designed for only 50. Food insecurity is another major concern, especially for children on ARV medication who require consistent nutrition. School fees, medication, and hospital access remain ongoing challenges. The high cost of monthly rent highlights the urgent need for a permanent and more sustainable facility with space for a school, clinic, and playground.
Tuendelee’s Visit Experience
The visit, organized in partnership with the Lectors Community of St. Paul’s University Chapel, was both moving and memorable.
Together, we cooked, shared meals, played games, donated food and supplies, and spent meaningful time with the children and caregivers. The atmosphere was filled with warmth, joy, and a strong sense of family.
What stood out most was the children’s resilience and openness. The experience reminded us of the power of small acts of kindness and the importance of showing up consistently for vulnerable communities. It also reinforced Tuendelee’s commitment to providing pathways for vulnerable youth to access quality education that can act as a springboard elevating them from their financial struggles.
Looking Ahead
Smile Community Centre is doing remarkable work under very difficult conditions. Its commitment to protecting and nurturing vulnerable children is evident in every part of its mission. Tuendelee Foundation remains committed to facilitating opportunities for their scholars to take part in giving back to vulnerable communities around them and thus allowing their scholars to grow beyond academics.
Prepared by Nick Ochieng of Tuendelee Foundation in collaboration with the Lectors Community of St. Paul’s University Chapel.