ICS SP

⏱️2 days to go! Happy #mothersday 👩‍🍼 Think about your mother figure, her sacrifices, her loud and silent cheers. The long days and even longer nights she endured to ensure you had a chance at a better future. Across Africa, millions of mothers wake up every day carrying the weight of their families’ survival, nurturing children, providing care, putting food on the table, and holding communities together, often with limited support and overwhelming challenges. Women make up a significant share of caregivers and informal workers across the continent, yet many mothers still face barriers to education, economic opportunities, mental wellness support, quality childcare, and safe environments for their children. When mothers struggle, children and communities feel the impact too. But when we empower mothers, we strengthen entire generations. At Investing in Children and their Societies (ICS SP), in #Kenya #Tanzania and #Cotedivoire, we champion mothers and caregivers through: ✨ Positive parenting programmes that strengthen nurturing care ✨ Support for adolescent mothers and young families ✨ Safe spaces and psychosocial support for caregivers and children ✨ Community-led child protection and family strengthening initiatives ✨ Advocacy for safe, nurturing, and violence-free environments for children ✨ Capacity building for parents, caregivers, and community champions Because a mother is the root, the foundation that holds the home together. When mothers are supported, children thrive. When children thrive, communities prosper. This Mother’s Day, we invite partners, donors, and friends to stand with us in investing in mothers, strengthening families, and securing brighter futures for children across Africa. 🤝 Our work here has just began. Partner with us to continue creating safe and nurturing environments where every child and every mother can thrive. #MothersDay #InvestInMothers #FamilyWellbeing #PositiveParenting #ChildProtection #WomenEmpowerment #ParentingSupport #NurturingCare #CommunityImpact #ICS_SP #InvestInChildren #SafeFamilies #StrongerCommunities

“When I became a mother at 17 years old, I thought my dreams had come to an end. But through the Kuimarisha Project, I have hope yet again."– Adolescent Mother, Kakamega County This Mother’s Day, we honour the resilience of adolescent mothers across Kakamega County who are rewriting their stories against all odds. In Kenya, thousands of adolescent girls become mothers every year, often facing stigma, school dropout, and limited access to essential support systems. In Kakamega County alone, adolescent pregnancy continues to affect thousands of girls annually, reshaping futures too early. Through the Kuimarisha Project by Investing in Children and their Societies (ICS SP), adolescent mothers are being supported to rebuild their lives and strengthen their families. We focus on three key areas of transformation: ✨ Mental health and psychosocial support ✨ Economic and life skills empowerment ✨ Early childhood development support for young children We do this by working closely with families, community structures, and government systems to provide safe spaces, structured parenting support, and linkages to health, education, and protection services. This integrated approach ensures adolescent mothers are not left behind but are actively reintegrated into pathways of dignity and opportunity. In 2025 alone, the project reached over 2,300 adolescent mothers in Malava and Shinyalu sub-counties, strengthening caregiving capacity and improving child wellbeing outcomes at the household level. Our work is supported by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation. 💛 Watch our video to hear real stories of transformation, resilience, and renewed hope. This Mother’s Day, partner with ICS SP to continue empowering adolescent mothers, strengthening families, and building resilient communities where every child has a chance to thrive. Happy Mothers Day! 👩‍🍼 #MothersDay #KuimarishaProject #AdolescentMothers #EmpowerMothers #EarlyChildhoodDevelopment #MentalHealthSupport #GirlsEmpowerment #PositiveParenting #FamilyStrengthening #ICS_SP #Kakamega

We’re celebrating a BIG win! 🎉 On 2nd May 2026, Investing in Children and their Societies (ICS SP) through our Tanzania team was honoured with a Certificate of Appreciation from the Prime Minister’s Office, Regional Administration and Local Government (PO-RALG), Dodoma. This recognition highlights our contribution to advancing the Dodoma Regional Plan of Action to Eliminate Violence Against Women and Children a powerful milestone in strengthening systems that protect children and families. But beyond the certificate, this is about impact. It reflects the tireless work of our teams, partners, and communities who are driving real change, challenging harmful norms, strengthening child protection systems, and ensuring children grow up safe, protected, and thriving. Kudos Team TZ! 👏🏽🇹🇿 This win belongs to all of us. And most importantly, it’s a win for children. Here’s to scaling impact, strengthening systems, and building a future free from violence. #StrongerFamilies #ChildProtection #EndViolenceAgainstChildren #TZTeam #ImpactInAction #SafeChildhoods #PartnershipsForChange

Reflecting on an engagement with our partners including Conrad N Hilton Foundation @UNICEF , @WHO , @AKUGlobal, @Amref_Kenya, @aphrc ,one thing stood out clearly the growing recognition of the power of Early Childhood Development (#ECD) in shaping long-term outcomes for children and families. Our work through the #Kuimarisha project continues to demonstrate that investing in #caregivers especially #adolescent #parents creates a ripple effect that strengthens #child #wellbeing, #family #stability, and #community #resilience. As conversations move toward Phase II and potential expansion, we are encouraged by the strong affirmation of this approach. The focus now is on deepening impact refining our model, strengthening partnerships, and ensuring cost-effective, scalable solutions grounded in evidence. This is a reminder that #ECD is not just a programme area it is a foundation for equity, opportunity, and lifelong development. Team Kuimarisha Aluta Continua 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 #EarlyChildhoodDevelopment #ECD #NurturingCare #ChildWellbeing #ParentingSupport #AdolescentParents #CaregiverSupport #FamilyStrengthening #CommunityImpact #EvidenceBased #ScalingImpact #PartnershipsForImpact #GlobalHealth #AfricaDevelopment #Kenya #Tanzania @

🔔 OPPORTUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT | Implementation Research Consultancy Investing in Children and their Societies (ICS SP) is seeking experienced research consultants/firms to lead implementation research under the Violence Against Children in and around Schools (VACiS) Project in Kenya and Tanzania (April 2026 – June 2027). This is a unique opportunity to generate credible, publishable evidence on violence prevention programming across three discrete research assignments: 📌 Assignment 1 – Gender-Transformative Parenting: Co-occurrence of VAC & IPV 📌 Assignment 2 – Whole School Approach: VAC Reduction & Learning Outcomes 📌 Assignment 3 – Social Norms Programming: IPV Reduction (Kenya) & Early Marriage (Tanzania) Applicants may apply for one or more assignments. ✅ WHO SHOULD APPLY? We are looking for firms or consultants with: • Master's or doctoral qualification in Social Sciences, Gender Studies, Epidemiology, or related fields • At least 7 years' experience in programme evaluation, implementation research, or applied social research with a focus on VAC, child protection, or GBV • Proven track record of child-sensitive and gender-sensitive research in East Africa • Proficiency in Kiswahili is highly desirable for Tanzania-based assignments 📂 TO APPLY: Submit your Cover Letter, Technical Proposal, Work Plan, Financial Proposal, CVs of key personnel, References, and a Sample Evaluation Report via the link below. 🔗 Upload your application here: [ icsafrica-sp.org/tenders/10215/ ⏰ Deadline: 8th May 2026 Help us build the evidence base that protects children and transforms communities. #VACiS #Consultancy #Research #ChildProtection #GBV #EastAfrica #Kenya #Tanzania #ICS #JobOpportunity #OpenTender

Think back to your childhood. 👇🏾 What did discipline look like in your home? Was it the belt? The "look"? Silence that lasted days? Slaps delivered with a smile in front of visitors? Or something else entirely something that was never called abuse, but felt like it? Most of us grew up believing that pain was love. That fear was respect. That surviving it meant it worked. But our latest Op-Ed published today asks a harder question: What did it actually do to us? Investing in Children and their Societies (ICS SP) @martinaodira8 writes about the cycle we inherited, and how we can choose to break it raising children who are confident, emotionally grounded, and kind. Not because they fear us, but because they trust us. Read the full piece 👉#the_standard/page17" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">epaper.standardmedia.co.ke/issue/4509?src… Tell us in the comments what did discipline look like in your home growing up? 💬 #PositiveParenting #EndViolenceAgainstChildren #RaiseThemRight #ICSSR #ParentingAfrica #ChildRights #GenderTransformative

Gender equality and violence prevention require the active engagement of men and boys as partners in change. At ICS-SP, we work with men and boys to challenge harmful gender norms, embrace positive masculinity, and promote non-violence, care, and equality within families and communities. Through dialogue and community-based programming, we support men to become nurturing fathers, responsible partners, and engaged caregivers. This shift is essential in promoting shared responsibility within households, strengthening families, and improving child wellbeing. We invite partners and stakeholders to collaborate with us in championing the engagement of men and boys because lasting change is only possible when everyone is part of the solution. #MaleEngagement #GenderEquality #PositiveMasculinity #ChildProtection #FamilyStrengthening #PartnershipsForImpact #ICS

Poverty traps families. Economic empowerment sets them free. 💪 At ICS SP, we support vulnerable women & girls through Village Savings & Loan groups and skills training because when mothers thrive, children are protected. 🌱This is how we break the cycle. One family at a time. 👉 Learn more & support our work: icsafrica-sp.org #Livelihoods #WomenEmpowerment #GirlsEducation #ChildProtection #ICSsp #EndPoverty #BreakTheCycle #EveryChildDeservesAGoodFuture

Every chocolate bar has a story. An estimated 790,000 children under the age of 18 are working on cocoa farms in Côte d'Ivoire, and 97% of them are engaged in the most hazardous work: clearing land, harvesting with machetes, and applying agrochemicals. This is the reality behind the world's cocoa supply chain. And it is one ICS SP is committed to changing. Through our Gender Transformative Skilful Parenting (GTSP) Programme, we are working at the heart of this crisis within the SOCADA and SOCASIB cooperatives in Alepe and Gadouan transforming the household dynamics and unequal power relations that drive child labour and gender exploitation. 🎯 2,000 cocoa-farming households supported 👨‍👩‍👧 4,320 parents & caregivers directly reached 👶 8,640 children whose futures are being protected 🌍 5,000 community members engaged for lasting change. Because ending child labour isn't just a supply chain issue, it's a family issue. And change starts at home. 👉 Partner with us. Fund the change. Be part of the solution. 📩 Reach out: info@icsafrica.org 🔗Learn more: icsafrica-sp.org #EndChildLabour #GenderEquality #GTSP #CoteDIvoire #SkilfulParenting #ICSsp #CocoaSupplyChain #ChildProtection #SustainableCocoa #FamilyStrengthening #EveryChildDeservesAGoodFuture #InvestInChildren @WorldVision @WHO @ChildFundAfrica @save_children @ilo

🌿Discipline Should Teach, Not Harm As children spend more time at home this holiday, many parents and caregivers are navigating behavior, boundaries, and responsibility. But one question matters: 👉 Are we correcting children, or are we hurting them? Too often, discipline is mistaken for punishment. Although shouting, humiliation, or physical punishment may stop behavior in the moment, they can harm a child’s confidence, trust, and emotional well-being in the long term. 💡 Positive discipline offers a better way. It is about guiding, teaching, and nurturing, not instilling fear. 🔎 What does positive discipline look like? ✔ Setting clear and consistent boundaries ✔ Explaining why behavior is wrong and what to do instead ✔ Listening to children and validating their feelings ✔ Using consequences that teach, not punish ✔ Modelling the behavior you want to see 💛 Children don’t just learn from what we say, they learn from how we treat them. 👉This holiday, let’s raise children with respect, patience, and understanding because safe homes build strong futures. #PositiveParenting #ChildProtection #EndViolenceAgainstChildren #VACiS #SafeHomes #CommunityAction

Do your children know what to do and who to turn to when they feel unsafe? Many children experience harm but never report it not because they don’t want to, but because they don’t know how, whom to tell, or whether they will be believed. Globally and locally, the reality is concerning: 🌍 Nearly 2 in 3 children worldwide experience violent discipline at home (according to UNICEF) In Kenya, only 12.5% of girls and 3% of boys who experienced sexual violence sought help (according to UNICEF Kenya) 📉 Many cases go unreported due to fear, stigma, or lack of awareness of reporting pathways. This means that teaching children how to report is just as important as protecting them from harm. 🛑 Pro Tips: Helping children understand reporting pathways: 💬 Start the conversation early Talk about safety in age-appropriate ways. Help children understand their rights and that their voice matter 👂 Build trust every day Create a safe, judgment-free environment where children feel heard especially when they share difficult experiences 👥 Identify trusted adults together Help your child name at least 2–3 people they can turn to (parent, teacher, relative, community leader) 📞 Share help services and helplines Ensure children know where to seek help, even when you’re not around (In Kenya, children can call Childline 116 for free support) 🔁 Practice what to do Role-play simple scenarios so children feel confident about speaking up and seeking help When children know their rights and understand how to report, they are better protected. Because protection is not only about preventing harm, it’s about equipping children with the knowledge and confidence to act. Have you had this conversation with your child? What steps are you taking to ensure they know where to turn? #ChildProtection #PositiveParenting #SafeChildren #EndViolenceAgainstChildren #ChildRights #ParentingTips #Safeguarding #ProtectEveryChild #SpeakUp #ChildSafety #NurturingCare #ICSImpact #ParentingWithPurpose

As we welcome the Easter season, we want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to every partner who has been part of our journey. Your trust, your collaboration, and your shared vision are what drive us forward each day. This Easter, we reflect on how much we've grown together. Wishing you, your teams, and your loved ones a joyful and restful holiday filled with warmth and new beginnings. 🌷 #HappyEaster #PartnerAppreciation #Gratitude #NewBeginnings #Teamwork

The early years from birth to age 8 are a critical window of opportunity. What happens in these years shapes a child’s brain, health, confidence, and ability to learn. Yet adolescent parents often lack the support they need to give their children the strongest start. In Kakamega County, we're changing that through the Kuimarisha Project a partnership between ICS SP and the County Government, strengthening systems to support adolescent parents and their young children (0-3 years). Our approach: 🤱 Responsive Parenting: Training adolescent mothers, fathers, and caregivers in gender-transformative parenting that promotes healthy brain development and breaks harmful stereotypes 🎨 Play-Based Learning: Integrating play into daily routines because play IS how young children learn 🏛️ Systems Strengthening: Building capacity within county health, social development, and ECDE systems for sustainable service delivery In the past year, the Kuimarisha Project served over 1,841 adolescent parents through peer support and individualized home visits. The project achieved 59.7% improvement in responsive caregiving skills and 37% enhancement in parental well-being. Notably, 74 baby minders delivered early stimulation to over 1,300 children while connecting parents to education and entrepreneurship support. The project also contributed significantly to regional policy discussions, enhancing the ECDE Policy review and developing Cross-Sectoral Referral Standards. Investing in early childhood = investing in a better future. 🔗 Learn more about our work and how you can support or partner with us: #EarlyChildhoodDevelopment" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">icsafrica-sp.org/#EarlyChildhoo… #NurturingCare #InvestInChildren #GlobalDevelopment #HealthAndWellbeing

What a meaningful and energizing time we had at our recent team retreat in Nairobi. Bringing colleagues together from across our programs created space not only to reconnect as a team, but also to reflect on our journey and sharpen our collective vision for the future. Guided by our theme, “Scaling Impact, Accelerating Change, for a Future Where Every Child and Family Can Thrive,” we engaged in rich discussions about the direction of our work and began shaping priorities under our 2026–2030 Strategic Plan. These conversations challenged us to think boldly about how we can expand solutions, strengthen partnerships, and deepen our impact for children and families. Beyond the strategic conversations, the retreat was also a time to celebrate the people behind the work. We took time to appreciate and recognize outstanding team members whose dedication, creativity, and commitment continue to drive our mission forward. And of course, it wasn’t all work; there were moments of laughter, connection, and shared experiences that reminded us why strong teams matter. As we return to our work re-energized and aligned, we invite partners, communities, and supporters to continue walking this journey with us. Together, we can scale what works and accelerate change so that more children and families can thrive. #ScalingImpact #AcceleratingChange #TeamRetreat #ForChildrenAndFamilies

When it comes to protecting children, what truly makes a system work? We recently asked: What’s MOST critical in strengthening child protection systems at scale? Here’s how you voted: 🔹 73% – Coordination across sectors 🔹 20% – Legal frameworks and policies 🔹 7% – Access to support services 🔹 0% – Training and capacity building The results are clear: child protection systems do not fail because we lack laws or services; they fail when systems operate in silos. 👉 A health worker may identify risk. 👉 A teacher may notice warning signs. 👉 A social worker may intervene. But without structured coordination, clear referral pathways, shared accountability, and aligned planning, children still fall through the cracks. At Investing in Children and their Societies (ICS SP), coordination is not an abstract concept; it is embedded in how we work. Transformative Impact at Scale In 2025 alone, ICS SP reached 328,299 parents and caregivers across Kenya, Tanzania, and Côte d’Ivoire, directly improving outcomes for over 214,000 children through integrated, evidence-based interventions. This scale was possible because we do not implement it in isolation. We: 🫡 Align parenting, childcare, and child protection interventions with government systems 🫡 Strengthen referral networks across health, education, and social services 🫡 Contribute to policy and standards development to promote coherence 🫡 Address violence prevention, poverty-related stressors, and systemic barriers together Strong laws create the mandate. Skilled professionals drive implementation. Services provide support. But coordination is what transforms fragmented efforts into protective systems that last. If we are serious about protecting children at scale, we must invest in integration, not just interventions. What has strengthened coordination in your context?

When it comes to protecting children, what truly makes a system work? We recently asked: What’s MOST critical in strengthening child protection systems at scale? Here’s how you voted: 🔹 73% – Coordination across sectors 🔹 20% – Legal frameworks and policies 🔹 7% – Access to support services 🔹 0% – Training and capacity building The results are clear: child protection systems do not fail because we lack laws or services; they fail when systems operate in silos. 👉 A health worker may identify risk. 👉 A teacher may notice warning signs. 👉 A social worker may intervene. But without structured coordination, clear referral pathways, shared accountability, and aligned planning, children still fall through the cracks. At Investing in Children and their Societies (ICS SP), coordination is not an abstract concept; it is embedded in how we work. Transformative Impact at Scale In 2025 alone, ICS SP reached 328,299 parents and caregivers across Kenya, Tanzania, and Côte d’Ivoire, directly improving outcomes for over 214,000 children through integrated, evidence-based interventions. This scale was possible because we do not implement it in isolation. We: 🫡 Align parenting, childcare, and child protection interventions with government systems 🫡 Strengthen referral networks across health, education, and social services 🫡 Contribute to policy and standards development to promote coherence 🫡 Address violence prevention, poverty-related stressors, and systemic barriers together Strong laws create the mandate. Skilled professionals drive implementation. Services provide support. But coordination is what transforms fragmented efforts into protective systems that last. If we are serious about protecting children at scale, we must invest in integration, not just interventions. What has strengthened coordination in your context?

Peacebuilding starts with our children. Proud to be featured in the @NCIC_Kenya Nyanza Region newsletter for our Youth Conflict Prevention Program in Kisumu County. Through life skills training in Amani Clubs in primary schools, we're empowering young people to: ✅ Lead conversations on peace & unity ✅ Build life skills & values-based resilience ✅ Create peer support systems against abuse & exploitation ✅ Become champions of social cohesion When children are heard, equipped, and empowered, entire communities transform. Together with @NCIC_Kenya , we're not just teaching peacew e're raising peacebuilders. #YouthForPeace #AmaniClubs #Kisumu #SocialCohesion #ChildProtection #PeaceEducation

How different would your child’s future be if they grew up safe, supported, and free from violence? For every parent and caregiver, this question is deeply personal. A child’s first experience of safety, love, and belonging begins at home. Yet many children still face daily risks linked to poverty, harmful gender norms, child labour, violence, early marriage, family separation, and limited access to essential services. At Investing in Children and their Societies (ICS SP), our Child Labour Programme confronts this injustice head-on. We focus on ending child labour where it hides in domestic work, the service industry, and agricultural supply chains, with a strong emphasis on the cocoa sector. Our work centres on restoring childhoods and strengthening systems that protect children today and into the future. Impact so far: 🥳 👍 Parents empowered with skills and income support to keep children in 👍 school 👍 Hundreds of children withdrawn from exploitative labour and reintegrated into education 👍 Reduced reliance on child labour in targeted cocoa supply chains 👍 Stronger awareness and action among community leaders, employers, and local authorities 👍 Girls formerly in domestic work supported with life skills, protection, and pathways to educatio In Côte d’Ivoire, our initiatives such as the #PIPEREF-SC project, implemented in partnership with actors including Nestlé and government ministries, have reached thousands of parents and children. These efforts have strengthened family environments, improved positive parenting and conflict-resolution skills, and supported over 213,000 caregivers and 214,000 children across 62 communities to grow up in safer, more nurturing settings. Because when families are supported, children are protected and futures are transformed. Invest in childhood. Help us stop child labour everywhere it hides. No child should carry the burden of labour when they should be carrying a backpack. Join us in ending exploitative child labour. Support the systems, families, and communities who are ready for change. Make a donation: icsafrica-sp.org/make-a-donatio… Cocoa Initiative International Cocoa Organization (ICCO) Jacobs Foundation Barry Callebaut Group #SafeAndNurturingFamilies #EndChildLabour #ChildProtection #PositiveParenting #FamilyStrengthening #EthicalSupplyChains #CocoaSector #Caregivers #ChildrenFirst #CotedIvoire #Kenya

Who protected you when you were a child? 💭 Every child deserves that answer to be: "Many people. The system worked." Child protection isn't rescuing children from danger, it's building a world where danger can't reach them in the first place. 1. It's invisible in the parent who learned to communicate without hitting. 2. It's invisible in the teacher who noticed and knew who to call. 3. It's invisible in the community that caught a struggling family before they broke. 4. It's invisible in the policy that closed loopholes before children fell through. In 2025, across Kenya 🇰🇪, Tanzania 🇹🇿, and Côte d'Ivoire 🇨🇮, we #ICSSP strengthened systems that keeps children safe: ✅ Trained parents in positive discipline ✅ Connected families to vital services ✅ Built community support networks ✅ Equipped child protection officers ✅ Strengthened protective laws and policies #ChildProtection #SystemsChange #ProtectChildren #SafeChildhood #PositiveParenting #Kenya #Tanzania #CotedIvoire #ICSSP #ImpactThatMatters #ChildRights What matters MOST in protecting children? 👥 Strong communities 📋 Good laws & policies

Imagine a world where families are the strongest shield protecting children. Over the past 5 years, Investing in Children and their Societies (ICS SP) has amplified evidence-based skillful parenting as a proven child protection solution across Kenya, Tanzania, and Côte d’Ivoire, shaping both practice and policy conversations. 📊 The impact: 213,236 caregivers strengthened with positive parenting and economic resilience skills 214,481 children supported to grow in safe, stable, and nurturing family environments 62 communities reached through government-aligned, systems-strengthening approaches 📍 In Kenya, acceptance of corporal punishment dropped from 73% to 18%, with fathers increasingly embracing nurturing caregiving roles. 📍 In Tanzania, 43,094 parents have been engaged and national coordination advanced through the Multisectoral Parenting Group. 📍 In Côte d’Ivoire, public–private partnerships have improved family communication and children’s emotional well-being. By combining data, strategic storytelling, and key partnerships, we continue to position family strengthening as central to ending violence against children. 👉#Policymakers, #partners, and #practitioners, join us in scaling family strengthening approaches that protect children. Read more about our evidence-based family strengthening approaches and join the conversation on strengthening child protection systems. 🔗 icsafrica-sp.org/areas-of-work/ 💬 When parenting works, child protection systems work. #EvidenceBasedParenting #FamilyStrengthening #ChildProtectionSystems #EndViolenceAgainstChildren #PolicyInfluence #ThoughtLeadership #StrategicCommunications #ICS_SP