The Wema Centre

Based in Mombasa, Kenya, the Wema Centre has been transforming lives since 1993, rescuing and nurturing over 30,000 children who once depended on the streets for survival—whether living or working there. These street-connected children face extreme vulnerability and often lack access to basic needs, protection, and opportunities. Wema Centre is a trusted and credible organization committed to changing this reality. For more than three decades, we have delivered holistic, comprehensive support that meets immediate needs while creating clear pathways to long-term stability and independence. Through a range of targeted programs and activities, we address the complex challenges these children and youth face, empowering them to reclaim their dignity and shape a brighter future.

Our Programs:

1. Outreach & Rescue: The Wema Outreach Program is dedicated to building trust, delivering immediate assistance, and connecting street-connected children to vital services that improve their quality of life. To meet their urgent needs, the program provides practical support such as first aid, nutritious meals, clothing, hygiene items, and other basic necessities. Our social workers conduct regular visits to key locations where these children live, including Tudor, Makaburini, Muoroto, Fort Jesus, and the Mwakirunge Dumpsite. Through these sustained efforts, we are able to reach and support approximately 2,000 children across these areas.

2. Formal Education: Wema Centre’s Formal Education Program promotes educational equity for street connected children by ensuring that this extremely vulnerable group has the opportunity and resources required to access quality education. The program, through the support of its donors, covers school fees and levies, provides all learners with school supplies, uniform and other essentials required to succeed. Since its inception, the program has empowered over 3,000 street-connected children to pursue their education, and is currently supporting 118 learners (40 boys and 78 girls) enrolled across Wema Remedial, Pre-Primary, Lower Primary, Junior Secondary, Secondary, and University/College levels.

3.Vocational Skills Training: The Wema Vocational Skills Training program offers a pathway to financial independence for vulnerable youth by imparting practical skills for employment in ‘Catering, Service and Housekeeping’ and ‘Tailoring and Dressmaking’. Each year, the program fully sponsors 70 youth, carefully selected through household assessments by Wema’s social work and outreach team, and vetted by a management committee. Since its inception, it has empowered more than 3,300 disadvantaged young people with the skills and confidence to secure employment or set up their own small businesses.

4. Shelter & Parental Care: Wema provides safe housing, healthcare, nutrition, and emotional support to rescued children while preparing them for reunification or independent living.

5. Psychosocial Support: Through counseling, structured sports, music, and performing arts, our Psychosocial support program helps vulnerable children develop emotional resilience, positive mental health, and life skills.

6. Family Tracing & Reunification: We work closely with the Department of Children Services to successfully reunify street connected children with their biological families or other responsible caregivers.