miral welfare foundation

Thirty children from Kisumu, Kenya, first met their sponsors through Miral Welfare Foundation’s community development child sponsorship program when they entered primary school. After graduating from primary school, they are now middle and high school students, standing at the doorway of adolescence. Thanks to the continued care and support of their sponsors, the children have been able to grow up in a stable environment. As they move closer to adulthood, they are not only growing physically but also beginning to experience the complex emotions that naturally come with this stage of life.

Concerns about exam results, sudden emotional ups and downs, friendships, and curiosity about romantic relationships - these worries are not very different from those faced by teenagers anywhere in the world. In response, Miral Welfare Foundation’s Kenya Office is supporting the children through mentoring activities that help them find their own answers.

Sponsored middle and high school students in Kenya holding T-shirts with their future dreams written on them

Mentoring Program, Together With Adolescence

The mentoring program was designed around topics that are especially important during adolescence. It included field trips, sessions on career planning and self-directed learning, mental health and emotional intelligence education, and sexuality education. Rather than focusing only on knowledge, the program emphasized emotional well-being, relationships, and building self-esteem.

Field trips to the Kisumu Museum and Impala Park allowed the children to step outside the classroom. At the museum, they explored history through stories and exhibits, rediscovering the enjoyment of learning. At Impala Park, a wildlife reserve, they observed animals such as impalas, zebras, and giraffes, and reflected on ecosystems and environmental protection. Spending time outdoors also helped reduce stress and naturally brought the children closer to their friends and mentors through shared experiences.

Field trip to Kisumu Museum

Sponsored students participating in outdoor activities

Understanding Emotions and Relationships

The mental health and emotional intelligence sessions provided space for the children to practice expressing and understanding their emotions. Through practical activities, they learned ways to manage stress and anxiety, and how to pause and regulate their reactions when they felt angry.

During sexuality education sessions, honest conversations took place about curiosity and peer pressure experienced during adolescence. Peer pressure - the feeling of needing to act like others - can sometimes be positive, but it can also lead to unnecessary anxiety and haste. The children shared experiences they often found difficult to talk about, such as feeling rushed because “everyone else seems to be dating,” or holding back their behavior due to how others might see them. Through these conversations, they learned to respect their bodies, understand responsible relationships, and build confidence to make healthier choices going forward.

Mentoring session in progress

Experiencing Change and Imagining the Future

The children also learned practical skills from their mentors, including how to set goals and manage time. As they created their own plans, they began to imagine their future more clearly - who they wanted to become and what they hoped to do as adults. Dreams that once felt vague started to feel more tangible.

“After failing my first exam in middle school, I lost confidence.

When my mentor helped me break my goals into smaller steps, my grades began to improve.

Now I feel ready to try again.”

- Irene

“I used to get angry very quickly whenever I argued with friends.

After learning how to manage my emotions through mentoring,

I’m trying to pause and think before reacting.”

- Marlon

“I felt left out because it seemed like all my friends were dating.

After learning about what healthy relationships look like, I no longer feel rushed.

I realized that making choices that are right for me is what matters.”

- Caroline

Sponsored children participating in hands-on activities

After the program, many children shared that they felt they had changed. They had learned how to handle their emotions, resolve conflicts with friends, and take better care of themselves. The experience of having someone listen to their stories and encourage their goals became a lasting source of strength.

A Steady Companion for Growing Youth

Adolescence can be an unfamiliar and confusing time for anyone. However, having someone to walk alongside them can make even difficult moments easier to face.

Miral Welfare Foundation continues to be that companion, supporting sponsored children in Kisumu, Kenya - and beyond - so they can grow into healthy adults, both physically and emotionally.

Please continue to follow Miral’s work with your warm support and encouragement!

Mentor and mentee