OUR STORY
Footsteps International started when, moved by the story of 12 orphaned and abandoned children in Mombasa, one of Martin Print's work colleagues gave him £5, telling him, "For goodness sake, go and do something to help!"
This is our story...
2001
Footsteps International was founded with a mission to bring hope and practical support to vulnerable children in Kenya. Our first initiative provided daily meals for twelve orphaned and abandoned children in Mombasa.
We also funded the production of several wheelchairs at the Bombolulu Centre—crafted by skilled artisans living with disabilities—empowering both the makers and the recipients.
2002
Footsteps International was officially registered with the Charity Commission. In partnership with Education for Life, we purchased land in Mombasa to build a new children’s home.
We also stepped in to support Naivasha Polytechnic, which was at risk of closure following the loss of a major donor. Our funding helped keep the doors open and enabled continued education for disadvantaged youth.
2003
While continuing to care for the original group of orphans, we began construction of their new home in Mombasa.
The scope of our work expanded significantly: together with Education for Life, we launched plans for a new school capable of serving over 400 children—laying the foundation for long-term educational impact.
This ramshackle house in Mombasa was 'home' to 12 orphaned and abandoned children
2004
February marked a major milestone: the opening of the Tumaini Centre in Mombasa. This vibrant facility became both a school for over 400 children and a loving home for 24 orphaned and abandoned children—offering safety, education, and a sense of belonging.
That same month, we launched a feeding programme for street children in Naivasha, central Kenya. What began as a lifeline of daily meals soon grew into the creation of the Sunshine Home, where over 60 street boys found refuge, nourishment, and access to education and vocational training.
Beyond Kenya, we extended our reach to Burma, supporting the construction of a new building for Mercy Nursery School—helping young children begin their educational journey in a safe and nurturing environment
The Sunshine Centre opened in 2004 when we took in 50 street boys
2005
The number of children at the Tumaini school and children’s home grew steadily.
We purchased 8 acres of land for future development of the Sunshine Home and increased the number of children on the educational sponsorship programme.
We provided new homes for widows in Kenya.
We provided support for the No More Tears children’s home in Kamakwie, Sierra Leone.
2006
By the end of the year we were caring for 28 children at the Tumaini Children’s Home, 70 former street boys at Sunshine Home, and nearly 100 children were receiving education sponsorship. We purchased 69 wheelchairs, helping some desperately needy disabled people.
At the end of the year we purchased a piece of land near the Sunshine Home to build workshops to provide employment for our former street boys. We started construction of a new Sunshine Home in partnership with Mission Care.
2007
We had the excitement of seeing our first street boy getting married in February. Kamau and Jennifer now have a small house of their own.
We commenced construction of the Sunshine Workshops where ex-street boys can start to earn a living.
We bought 50 wheelchairs, helping many disabled people, and also assisting APDK survive a major financial setback.
Kamau was our first former street boy to marry. He and his wife Jennifer moved into a small house.
2008
In January, post-election violence swept across Kenya, affecting every region where Footsteps operates. We are deeply grateful that none of the children, staff, or partners we knew were harmed, though the unrest cast a long shadow over the year.
Despite the challenges, our commitment never wavered. We continued caring for 70 street boys at the Sunshine Home and 28 children at Tumaini—several of whom proudly completed secondary school, a testament to their resilience and our shared hope.
2009
The number of former street boys at the Sunshine Home grew to over 90, reflecting the growing need and our expanding capacity to respond.
We developed a highly effective system to help boys transition from life on the streets—freeing them from glue and drug addiction—and guiding them into education and vocational training. With sustained support, many are now on a path toward paid employment and independence.
At Tumaini Children’s Home, we continued to care for 26 children, several of whom completed secondary school and began their working lives.
2010
Despite a difficult economic climate, 2010 was a year of growth, innovation, and impact. Generous gifts enabled us to invest in projects designed to make our work more self-sustaining:
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Sunshine Borehole: providing clean water to the community and generating income for the Home
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Greenhouse: boosting our supply of home-grown food
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Fish-farming: adding nutritious meals to the children’s diet
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Tailoring project at Naivasha Polytechnic: creating local income and skills training
We cared for 90 former street boys, 27 orphaned and abandoned children, and provided daily meals for 260 children at the Church on the Rock School.
Our first greenhouse at the Sunshine Centre kick-started our drive to improve the sustainability of the project
2011
Widespread droughts in northeast Kenya drove up food prices across the region, creating tough economic conditions. Yet, despite these challenges, Footsteps International made meaningful progress—thanks to resilience, generosity, and shared purpose.
At the Sunshine Home, we cared for 93 boys, continuing our mission to transform lives. One of our proudest moments came when James Maina, a former street boy, secured a prestigious role as a ranger with the Kenya Wildlife Service—a powerful symbol of hope and possibility.
With support from our Canadian friends, we added more greenhouses at Sunshine, boosting fresh food supply and generating local income. Mission Care UK funded the construction of a new dormitory for older boys, expanding our capacity to provide safe shelter.
Thanks to extra donations, we increased the provision of school meals at Church on the Rock School from three to five days a week—ensuring children received consistent nourishment to support their learning.
In Mombasa, we continued caring for 28 orphaned and abandoned children, and extended our reach to include three fostered children placed with loving families in the local community.
At Naivasha Polytechnic, a generous donation of computers from Computers4Africa enabled us to expand the IT course, opening new doors for young learners.
A nutritious school lunch strengthens education. In 2011 we increased provision from 3 days to 5 days a week
2012
Another year of growth, impact, and transformation!
At the Sunshine Home, the number of former street boys in our care rose to 110, and we celebrated a major milestone: our first former street boys progressed to tertiary education—a powerful testament to their resilience and the support they received.
Sustainability also took a step forward with the installation of a rainwater harvesting tank, generously funded by a donor, helping reduce costs and support the environment.
At Tumaini, we welcomed two new children in need of care. Meanwhile, nine older children, nurtured by Footsteps since 2001, completed school and began their journey toward independence—seeking work and building lives of their own.
In Nairobi’s Kware slum, pupils at Church on the Rock School continued to receive school meals, thanks to the generosity of Footsteps supporters. We also replaced desks and books, and carried out building improvements at Imani Pre-School in the Kibera slum, enhancing learning environments for young children.
At Naivasha Polytechnic, we supported the library with a donation of books through the Books2Kenya project, which delivered 10,000 books from the UK—vastly enriching educational resources.
Footsteps now supports around 700 students across various levels of education—through Naivasha Polytechnic and our growing sponsorship programmes—opening doors to brighter futures.
Richard and his two siblings are fostered by a local mother in Timbwani village, Mombasa...with help from Footsteps
2013
From strength to strength…
At the Sunshine Rehabilitation Centre, over 20 boys had now successfully transitioned to independent living—and the number continues to grow. Our earlier investment in greenhouses on the Centre’s small farm began to bear fruit—literally. The supply of nutritious, home-grown food increased, and surplus produce was sold to local stores and hotels, generating valuable income to support the Centre’s sustainability.
At Tumaini Children’s Home, we funded the care of 21 children, including four new arrivals in need of safety and support. We also extended partial support to 10 teenagers at Stepping Stones, helping bridge the gap between childhood and adulthood. Our funding covered wages, food, medical care, school fees, and essential building repairs, along with replacement equipment and clothing.
In Nairobi’s slum communities, Footsteps continued to stand alongside vulnerable children:
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At Church on the Rock School, we funded lunches for 360 children and provided new cooking pots to improve meal preparation.
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At Imani School in Kibera, we supplied beans and maize for school lunches and funded the installation of new pit latrines and a fresh water supply—critical improvements for health and dignity.
At Naivasha Polytechnic, we supported 50 training places for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, equipping them with skills for employment and self-reliance.
Altogether, we estimate that Footsteps positively impacted the lives of around 1,000 children and young people in 2013—each one a story of hope, resilience, and transformation.
Former street boy Francis Kagotho started his own water delivery business
2014
Celebrating a decade of transformation and hope!
Sunshine Rehabilitation Centre
February marked the 10th anniversary of the Sunshine project—a powerful milestone in our journey to restore dignity and opportunity to former street boys. The number of boys in our care rose to 118, and our commitment to sustainability continued to flourish.
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Greenhouses provided fresh vegetables for daily meals
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A rainwater harvesting system ensured reliable water supply
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A newly installed biogas digester reduced reliance on firewood, promoting cleaner energy and environmental stewardship
Tumaini Children’s Home
We also celebrated 10 years since the opening of Tumaini—a home filled with love, learning, and resilience.
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We supported 21 children at the Home
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Provided partial support to 9 teenagers at Stepping Stones, including 3 orphaned brothers who had been struggling to survive
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A generous grant enabled the development of a Special Needs Unit at Tumaini School, expanding inclusive education for children with additional needs
Slum Schools
In Nairobi’s informal settlements, our support continued to make a daily difference:
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At Church on the Rock School, we funded lunches for 440 children and provided new textbooks for older pupils
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We nurtured the link between Church on the Rock and Southwark Park Primary School in London, encouraging cultural exchange and mutual understanding
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At Imani School in Kibera, we supplied beans and maize for school lunches, and funded roof repairs and new mattresses, improving comfort and safety
Naivasha Polytechnic
We funded 50 vocational training places for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds—equipping them with practical skills and a pathway to employment.
Footsteps trustees Mary Print and Barbara Huntley with former street boy Paul Ndungu who is now a youth drugs counsellor
2015
A year of growth, achievement, and deepening impact.
Sunshine Rehabilitation Centre
We continued to care for around 120 former street boys at the Sunshine Centre, and celebrated a remarkable milestone: a record number progressed to university or college—extraordinary achievements for young men who once struggled to survive on the streets.
Naivasha Polytechnic
We supported Naivasha Polytechnic, which trains around 200 students annually in practical skills that lead to paid employment. These skills empower young people to support themselves and their families. Several of our Sunshine Boys enrolled in vocational courses here, building pathways to independence.
Tumaini Children’s Home
Our home in Mombasa remained a safe and nurturing haven for orphaned and abandoned children. We also provided financial support to older children as they transitioned into adulthood—helping them navigate the world of work with confidence and dignity.
Slum Schools
During two visits to Kenya, we witnessed the transformative power of school meals in Nairobi’s slums. Regular nutrition improved children’s health, attendance, and academic performance, giving them the best chance to break free from poverty and build brighter futures.
Sustainability
Our commitment to long-term sustainability continued to flourish. At the Sunshine Centre, newly cultivated farm land began producing commercially viable crops. We eagerly await the first year’s financial results and have budgeted to reinvest anticipated profits directly back into the Centre—ensuring that growth feeds growth.
In 2015 we invested in 3 acres of farmland which will produce crops to provide an income to the Sunshine Centre
2016 was a year of success!
Sunshine Rehabilitation Centre: Our first former street boy graduated! Cyrus Waweru was awarded a 2.1 degree in business and IT from Mt Kenya University. Cyrus came to Sunshine from the streets in 2004.
Tumaini Children’s Home: We also had our first graduate from Tumaini. Emily Nyongesa who was one of the first 12 orphans offered a home in 2003 completed her nursing degree and now works in a children's hospital in Mombasa. We continued to support 8 children who are thriving in their foster families.
Naivasha Polytechnic: The number of students at the Naivasha Polytechnic rose to 250 as more students started part-time courses in subjects such as IT. By the end of 2016, 88% of the previous year's intake had found employment (the exam pass rate was 97%).
Slum schools: We provided school meals, books and new classroom buildings to help 500 children at the Church on the Rock and Imani schools in Nairobi's slums. Feeding children helps them learn better, and 27 of the class 8 31 pupils at Church on the Rock School were offered places at high school.
Former street boy Cyrus Waweru graduated from Mt Kenya University in 2016
2017 - a fruitful year
Sunshine Rehabilitation Centre: During the year we cared for a record number of former street boys (130). Increasing numbers of boys are doing so well at school that they continue to college and university. In October, Joseph Karanja who we rescued from the streets in 2004 got married to Rebecca (an orphaned girl). Our management team organised a hugely successful Kenya Marafun fun run which attracted 250 participants including a small team from UK.We provided practical support to 2 sets of parents of our Sunshine boys who are disabled, helping them to move towards economic dependence.
Tumaini Children’s Home: Emily Nyongesa who was one of the first 12 orphans offered a home in 2003 married Ignatius, and Bonnie Kanyoni married Doreen. We continued to support 8 children who are living in foster families, and developed long-term plans to move all the children to a fully-fostered environment at some stage in the future..
Naivasha Technical Training Institute: We continued to support the Polytechnic which provides around 250 students with technical skills. During the year, 9 of the former street boys from the Sunshine Centre took courses.
Slum schools: We were able to continue our support to the Church on the Rock and Imani schools in Nairobi's slums, providing the children with nutritious lunches. We were also able to provide much-needed text books..
Ernest, the father of one of our Sunshine boys, broke his back in a quarry accident. We provided wool and a knitting machine so he can now make and sell school sweaters.
2018 - onward, ever onward!
Sunshine Centre: The number of former street boys we cared for continued to rise to 149, almost exactly three times the number we started to care for when the Centre opened in 2004. Many of the boys helped fund-raise by taking part in the Kenya Marafun and the Mt Longonot Crowd Climb.
Maisha Bora training programme: Maisha Bora provides secondary and tertiary education for talented but disadvantaged young people. During 2018, our support for this programme increased so that there were 52 students on the programme.
Tumaini: We continued to provide support for 26 orphaned and abandoned children in the Tumaini Children’s Home and in foster homes in the village around the Home. Preparations progressed for moving the children all into foster homes.
Naivasha Technical Training Institute (NTTI): As well as supporting 250 students at NTTI, we secured a grant for the construction of a new men’s hostel which was completed by the end of the year.
Bishop Wambari Girl’s School: We secured a grant for the construction of a new dormitory which was completed within the year.
Former street boy Peter Kariuki conquered Mt Longonot, one of 126 boys and staff to make the climb in October 2018.
2019 - graduation year
Sunshine Centre: The number of former street boys we cared for stabilised at 142. It was a year of academic success with several of the street boys who first came to our Sunshine Centre when it opened in 2004 graduating from university. Francis Kamau, another former street boy we cared for at the Sunshine Centre now runs a successful welding business in Nairobi, and has employed two more Sunshine Boys in his business as a way of paying back the help he himself received.
Tumaini: We provided support for 27 orphaned and abandoned children in the Tumaini Children’s Home and in foster homes in the village around the Home. We supported Doreen Kagodo who left the home and started at university in Nairobi.
Maisha Bora training programme: We supported the Maisha Bora programme which provided secondary and tertiary education for 45 talented but disadvantaged young people.
Naivasha Technical Training Institute (NTTI): As well as supporting 350 students at NTTI, we secured a grant for the construction of 3 new classrooms which will enable NTTI to expand the number of students and range of courses.
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Former street boy Francis Kamau has employed two more former street boys at his Unique Welding Workshop in Nairobi
2020 - Combatting Covid
After a normal start to the year that saw all our projects off to a good start, Covid intervened and at the end of March, the Kenya government imposed restrictions that resulted in schools, colleges, business and churches closing. The disruption was huge and the economic impact was devastating, especially for poor families who always exist close to the limit.
In April we launched and emergency aid programme for the former street boys from our Sunshine Centre and their families. 10 families were provided with emergency packs of food and hygiene products. This was an immediate success and, with the help of several generous donations, we scaled the programme up to cover the young people who attend the polytechnic and Bishop Wambari School in Naivasha (and their families), and we extended it to 100 disadvantaged families in the vicinity of Church on the Rock School in Nairobi.
By December when the crisis was easing we had distributed 2,603 family aid packs reaching up to 1,900 family members a month.
Sunshine Centre's Mama Chege launched the Covid emergency aid programme in early April 2020, issuing packs of food and hygiene products to our former street boys and their families.
2022 – The Sunshine Centre and Tumaini Children's Home come of age
In February, we celebrated the 18th birthdays of both the Sunshine street boys rehabilitation centre and the Tumaini Children's Home. Most of the staff who were there at the beginning are still with us today, selflessly giving their lives to help disadvantaged children in Kenya.
Boys and staff pause to give thanks for 18 years rehabilitating street boys at the Sunshine Centre on 18th February, 2022
Naivasha Technical Training Institute (NTTI): Trainee recruitment at NTTI rose and Footsteps supported training courses for over 400 disadvantaged young people, enabling them to acquire skills that will help them find employment. We received specific donations which we used to provide new tools and fund new student kitchens and an extension to the Fashion and Design classroom.
Future Focus: We sponsored 14 disadvantaged young people, enabling them to undertake a range of vocational and higher education courses.
Church on the Rock and Imani Schools, Nairobi. We boosted the health and education of 340 children in Nairobi’s slums by providing free school meals at two schools, for each of four terms (an extra term was ordered by the Kenya government to catch up school time lost to Covid in previous years).
Bishop Wambari Girl’s School, Naivasha. We supported 16 girl students, one by sponsoring her school fees in full, and the other 15 through bursaries to offset fee arrears. This action ensured the girls could continue their education uninterrupted.
A generous grant from a donor enabled us to fund an upgrade of the science laboratory, and to provide a range of modern teaching aids.
2021 – Success in trying times
By taking effective action at the end of 2020 to protect young people and staff from Covid, all our projects were able to return to normal operation at the start of 2021. The legacy of the pandemic lived on in several ways during the year:
1. We had to supply large amounts of sanitizers and other hygiene materials
2. The Kenya government closed schools and told children to return home for 7 weeks over the Easter holidays; during this time we re-ran a limited version of the Covid emergency relief operation that had proved so successful in 2020.
3. To compensate for lost education time, the Kenya government inserted a fourth term into the year, substantially increasing education-related costs such as fees and school meals.
4. Many poor and vulnerable families continued to feel the impact of the economic downturn in Kenya. As a result, more boys went to live on the streets and we enrolled 25 new boys into our Sunshine Centre, and continued to provide a variety of aid measures through our Sunshine Outreach programme to six particularly vulnerable families.
Sunshine Centre: By the end of 2021, we had 78 boys former street boys attending the local government primary school, 46 in high schools, 9 were enrolled on college courses, 8 were taking a vocational training course, and 4 were at university.
Tumaini: We supported 21 orphaned and abandoned children, helping them stay healthy and providing them with a normal family life. We also provided education support for several older children who have left school.
Naivasha Technical Training Institute (NTTI): We supported 350 disadvantaged young people, enabling them to acquire skills that will help them find employment. Specific donations we received allowed us provide new tools and fund a new Digital Learning Centre at NTTI, helping the institute continue to provide training courses that meet the needs of Kenya’s modernising economy.
Future Focus: We consolidated various higher education initiatives for the Mombasa-based children into a single programme called Future Focus.
Church on the Rock and Imani Schools, Nairobi. We boosted the health and education of 380 children in Nairobi’s slums by providing free school meals to two schools.
Bishop Wambari Girl’s School, Naivasha. We supported 11 girl students, three by sponsorship of their school fees, and the other 8 by means of bursaries to offset fee arrears. This action ensured that these girls were able to continue their education uninterrupted.
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Three former street boys from our Sunshine Centre in Naivasha, Kenya took their next big step in life. Samson Kabue, Philip Otieno and George Kamau.(left to right in the photo below) all started courses in heavy construction machinery operation at Kilimambogo Highway & Building Technology Institute.
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Mary (far left) and Charles (far right) have been faithfully caring for the children at Tumaini for over 18 years.
2023 - Farewell to trustees Mary Print and Barbara Huntley
With great sadness we said goodbye to trustees Mary Print and Barbara Huntley.
Mary died peacefully at home on 14th October, 2023 after a long battle with cancer. A strong Christian throughout her life, Mary was a co-founder and passionate supporter of Footsteps International, as well as being a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and doctor. She will be greatly missed, but we are determined that her mission through Footsteps International will continue.
Barbara was appointed as a trustee on 29 March 2011 and served Footsteps International faithfully until ill-health in 2023 prevented her taking any further active role. She always showed a passionate interest in the work of the charity, and sponsored several former street boys at the Sunshine Centre. She was also a great woman of prayer, and kept her church updated on the news about our work.
She visited our projects in Kenya in 2014 and always intended to visit again, but her plans were thwarted first by her husband Alan’s ill-health and then by the Covid pandemic.
Barbara is now resident in a care home, where she still enjoys receiving updates on our work.
2024 - Moving forwards
After 4 years when he had been able to travel because of Covid and then Mary's illness, Martin resumed his visits to our projects in Kenya, travelling in Februrary, April, June and again in October.
The trustees visited all our projects, spending quality time at the Sunshine Centre, Naivsaha Technical Training Institute, and the Tumaini children's home and school in Mombasa.
The highlights of the visits were meeting young people who have now left our care and are leading independent lives, and able to care for their families.
John Wainaina lived on the streets for three years. In 2024 he graduated from Meru University of Science and Technology with a Diploma in Horticulture, and now grows peas commercially on his 2-acre farm. Former street boy Samuel Njoroge completed a degree in supply chain management and now trades vegetables in Nairobi.
We also had a lot of fun (and less run!) at the Kenya Marafun in June where 200 young people took part in a run/walk/climb/swim event in Hell's Gate National Park.
