Our Mission

To advance access to education, protection and sustainability for vulnerable young people living in the Coast, Kenya, through a long-term holistic integrated approach

Our Vision

An educated and protected society with equal opportunities to nurture young people’s potential and experience the world, irrespective of poverty, ethnicity, gender, religion or special needs

Candlelight for Empowerment CBO advances the rights and equality of children at the Coast Kenya. Our organization exists to advance access to education, safeguarding and protection of bright but vulnerable young children and prevention of violence within communities. Through our organization, vulnerable children are becoming empowered and educated, realizing their dreams and beginning to break the cycle of poverty. Candlelight was established to advance the rights of children and to monitor compliance on the UN child related policies and legislations. We envision a society that protects all the rights of children and youth to survive, develop and participate in all matters concerning them.  We advocate for and promote the realization of rights and responsibilities of children and youth in Kenya.

Our Principles

Thematic Areas

Our Principles are operating standards that guide our actions and their adoption and implementation is obligatory and should be demonstrable.

  • A belief in education:A child’s journey with starts with the opportunity to go to school, but that’s not where it ends. Candlelight values listening and responding, offering a holistic service to open up children’s worlds, enrich their lives and encourage them to make their own choices. and become independent young adults.
  • Putting children first:Children are at the center of everything Candlelight does. We provide a child friendly environment at Candlelight and strive to ensure that at home and at school, children are safe, happy, healthy, with time to study, time to play and time to grow and move, one step at a time, towards their dreams.
  • Participation:All of our actions guarantee and promote the right to participation of young persons and those who support them, in pursuit of full citizenship. We also foster a participatory culture within our organization.
  • Non-discrimination/Inclusivity:Our work is built upon the belief that all young persons should have the opportunity to fulfill their rights, irrespective of their or their families’ ethnic or social origin, language, religion, political opinion, economic position, differences in ability or any other status.
  • Relevant and rooted in the community:To remain relevant, we know that we need to be out there, in the field, operating at the grass roots level; listening, understanding and responding to the needs of the children and their families.
  • Transparency:We base our work on honesty, responsibility and maximum access to information regarding the management of resources and the impact of our actions, in pursuit of the highest level of social and economic accountability.
  • Strong Governance:We believe in the importance of having a strong board with diverse skills and a governance structure that ensures we deliver a sustainable and high-quality service. Our board members are committed to service and giving back to the community.
  • Dynamic spirit:We have the capacity to adapt and be creative in our response, seeking innovation and quality in our action.

Education Access and Quality: Candlelight for Empowerment CBO is dedicated to improving access to quality education for children in underserved communities. This includes ensuring that children have access to schools, educational resources, and qualified teachers.

  • Education:A child’s journey with Candlelight starts with the opportunity to go to school, but that’s not where it ends. candlelight values listening and responding, offering a holistic service to open up children’s worlds, enrich their lives and encourage them to make their own choices and become independent young adults.
  • Safeguarding:Candlelight prioritizes the safety and well-being of children. We work to establish and maintain safe environments where children can learn, grow, and thrive without fear of harm or exploitation.
  • Equitable Opportunities:Candlelight advocates for equitable opportunities for all children, regardless of their background, ethnicity, religion, gender, or special needs. We believe that every child deserves an equal chance to succeed and reach their full potential.
  • Holistic Development:Candlelight recognizes the importance of holistic development for children. In addition to academic education, we provide support for the physical, emotional, and social development of children to ensure they grow into well-rounded individuals.
  • Community Empowerment: Candlelight believes in empowering communities to take charge of their own development. We work collaboratively with community members to identify their needs, build capacity, and implement sustainable solutions that benefit children and families.
  • Advocacy and Awareness:Candlelight advocates for policies and practices that promote the rights and well-being of children. We raise awareness about issues affecting children and mobilize support for positive change at local, national, and international levels.