JENGA FUTURES
Jenga Futures is Jonica Foundation’s education programme supporting vulnerable children and young people to access, remain in and progress through education.
The programme addresses practical barriers such as lack of learning materials, menstrual poverty, digital exclusion, limited career exposure and inadequate mentorship.
The Problem
Going to school is not always the same as having a fair opportunity to learn.
UNICEF’s 2025 child-poverty analysis estimated that 2.5 million children in Kenya were out
of school, while poverty, disability and unequal access to essential services continue to affect
children’s opportunities.
For some children, dropping out may begin with something that appears small:
• No school uniform.
• No sanitary towels.
• No transport.
• No stationery.
• No internet.
• No one to guide them.
• Teenage pregnancy.
• Disability-related barriers.
• Family poverty.
• Having to work or provide care at home.
Education support must therefore go beyond paying school fees.
Target Group
- Vulnerable primary and secondary-school learners.
- Girls at risk of absenteeism or dropout.
- Children from low-income households.
- Learners with disabilities.
- Children from rural and informal-settlement communities.
- Out-of-school children who can be referred back to learning.
Young people transitioning from school to training or employment.
Short Term Goal
To support 300 vulnerable learners with learning materials, menstrual-health support, mentorship, digital learning or education referrals.
Long Term Goal
To support at least 3,000 vulnerable learners to access, remain in and transition successfully through education and skills-development opportunities.
General Objective
To reduce financial, social and information barriers preventing vulnerable children and young people from accessing and benefiting from education.
Specific Objectives
Within the first 12 months, Jenga Futures will:
1. Provide education-support kits to 150 vulnerable learners.
2. Support 150 girls with menstrual-health information and dignity supplies.
3. Provide structured career and mentorship sessions to 200 learners.
4. Introduce at least 100 learners to basic digital literacy and online learning.
5. Establish education-support relationships with at least 5 schools, colleges or training
institutions.
Core Activities
- Identify 150 vulnerable learners through schools, community partners and transparent
vulnerability assessments. - Distribute 150 education-support kits containing priority learning materials based on
assessed needs. - Conduct 5 Keep a Girl in School sessions, reaching at least 150 girls with menstrual health education
and dignity support. - Conduct 5 career and mentorship forums, reaching at least 200 learners.
- Conduct practical introductory digital-literacy sessions for 100 learners covering online
learning, basic productivity tools and digital safety. - Refer learners requiring additional support to bursaries, scholarships, disability services
and other education-support opportunities.
Impact
- 300 learners directly reached through education support, mentorship, digital learning
and school-retention activities. - 150 education-support kits provided with priority learning materials such as stationery,
books and other school essentials. - 150 girls supported with menstrual-health education and dignity supplies, helping reduce a common barrier to school attendance.
- 200 learners exposed to mentorship and career guidance, connecting them with role models, professionals and practical information about future pathways.
- 100 learners trained in basic digital literacy, including online learning, productivity tools, digital safety and responsible internet use.
- 5 education partnerships established with schools, colleges, training institutions or education-focused organisations to strengthen referrals and opportunities.
Our Foundation for This Work
Learning and skills development already run through Jonica Foundation’s programmes.
Our County SRHR Ambassadors are young women who receive structured training in advocacy, communication, SRHR and community leadership.
Our Imarika Youth Digital Skills work also creates pathways for young people to access practical digital learning. Jenga Futures starts earlier—helping vulnerable learners remain in education and eventually transition into programmes such as NextGen Youth Fellowship.
Support Us
Sometimes the Difference Between Dropping Out and Staying in School Is One
Person Choosing to Help.
Support learning materials, menstrual dignity, mentorship or digital access.