Faith Leaders Convene In Nairobi For Regional Conference On Care Reform
The Mt Kenya Times 
The PS for Social protection Joseph Mogosi and Archbishop Muheria in picture
By: Cynthia Masibo and David Kasuku
Faith leaders from across Eastern Africa have gathered in Nairobi for a three-day regional conference focused on care reform, with an emphasis on the role of faith communities in transforming child welfare. The event, which began yesterday at a city hotel, has brought together over 100 delegates from the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA), including clergy, religious leaders, and child care professionals. The conference aims to address the ongoing shift from institutional to family-based care for vulnerable children in the region.
The conference, themed “Inspiring Faith Action for Care Reform: Reflections from Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB)’s Demonstration Work”, is part of an ongoing effort by AMECEA’s Safeguarding Initiative to encourage the Church’s engagement in care reform. Care reform is a global movement seeking to transition from institutional care to family-based care for children. The keynote speaker, the Most Rev. Anthony Muheria, Archbishop of Nyeri and Vice Chairman of AMECEA, emphasized the Church’s responsibility in ensuring that every child is raised in a safe and nurturing family environment.
In his keynote address, Archbishop Muheria highlighted the growing concerns surrounding the care of children within institutional settings, particularly in the AMECEA region. According to a report by the International Union of Superiors General (IUSG), four countries within the AMECEA region currently host more than 253 Charitable Children Institutions (CCIs), accommodating over 9,890 children. These figures, Archbishop Muheria stressed, should compel the Church and all stakeholders to reevaluate their approach to child care and actively participate in ongoing care reform initiatives.
Care reform, which is driven by both government and non-governmental organizations, advocates for the transition of children from institutional care to family-based care. The movement’s goal is to ensure that all children grow up in environments that provide love, stability, and support, as opposed to being raised in institutions. In many cases, children placed in institutions face emotional and psychological challenges due to a lack of personalized care and the absence of a family structure. The conference seeks to address these challenges and provide faith-based solutions that align with global care reform objectives.
The Church in the AMECEA region has been deeply involved in providing care to children, often through charitable institutions. However, with the growing recognition of the limitations of institutional care, the Church is now being called upon to rethink its role and explore ways to support family-based care systems. Archbishop Muheria acknowledged that while CCIs have played a significant role in protecting vulnerable children, it is time for faith communities to embrace reforms that prioritize placing children in caring families or supportive community structures.
The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) has already undertaken demonstration projects aimed at implementing care reform strategies. These projects have focused on transitioning children from institutional care to family-based care, with positive outcomes reported. The KCCB’s efforts have served as a model for other dioceses in the region and have inspired discussions during the ongoing conference. By showcasing these demonstration projects, the conference hopes to inspire other faith communities to take action and support care reform initiatives within their respective regions.
Representatives from Kenya’s Ministry of Social Services were also present at the opening of the conference, underscoring the importance of collaboration between the government, the Church, and other partners in advancing care reform. The Ministry is responsible for overseeing child welfare programs and has been actively involved in promoting family-based care as a priority for child protection. As part of the conference proceedings, attendees will discuss how faith communities can work more closely with government institutions to ensure that every child thrives in a safe, loving, and nurturing family environment.
As the conference unfolds, participants will continue to reflect on how faith-based organizations can contribute to this global movement and ensure that children in the AMECEA region are given the best possible chance to grow and thrive in nurturing families.
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