Mama Christa Foundation Kenya
Every child is a hope for the world
The Mama Christa Foundation (MCF) was established in 2019 as a Community Based Organisation (CBO) in Kenya.
Our Kenyan team works alongside children, young people and their families to help them build sustainable opportunities and shape their futures with confidence and self-determination.
Many of the young people we work with previously lived at the Shanzu Orphans Home (SOH). Today, we support them in their reintegration into their families or local communities and continue to walk alongside them throughout their educational journey and personal development.
Through access to education, psychosocial support, medical assistance, life skills training and professional social work, we empower children, young people and families to realise their potential and build independent futures. Our goal is to create sustainable structures that enable long-term development and empower people to shape their own lives.
Our work is built on three closely connected pillars.
Pillar 1 – Strengthening Children, Young People and Families
Education is a key foundation for an independent and self-determined life. We provide long-term support through school and vocational education, mentoring, psychosocial support and individual social work.
Together with families and our local network, we foster personal development, strengthen existing resources and create opportunities for young people to develop their abilities and pursue their own aspirations.
Pillar 2 – Ensuring Sustainability
For us, sustainability means combining social impact with economic independence. We therefore develop sustainable income-generating initiatives that strengthen the long-term work of the Mama Christa Foundation while creating value for the local community.
Through our MCF Guest House, we provide safe accommodation for local partners, volunteers, international students and guests. The income generated is reinvested directly into our programmes, helping to sustainably support children, young people, families and community initiatives.
Our MCF Tuk Tuk improves local mobility, creates employment opportunities and generates additional income that is fully reinvested in our charitable work.
In addition, we work together with businesses, educational institutions and international partners to develop further sustainable partnerships and income-generating projects that strengthen the long-term independence of the organisation.
Pillar 3 – Strengthening Communities
Sustainable development can only be achieved together. That is why the Kenyan team designs and delivers its programmes in close collaboration with local communities. The programmes are guided by locally identified needs, promote participation, resilience and self-determination, and create opportunities for long-term development.
Working closely with schools, health facilities, local organisations and community leaders, the MCF team regularly delivers workshops, training sessions and community outreach programmes. The aim is to share knowledge, strengthen local capacities and contribute to sustainable, community-led change.
Our programmes include:
- Life Skills and Personal Development
- Mental Health and Psychosocial Support
- Women's Health, Sexual and Reproductive Health
- Menstrual Health and Hygiene
- Prevention of Gender-Based Violence (GBV)
- Financial Literacy and Entrepreneurship
- Empowerment Programmes for Women and Young People
Our Vision
We envision strong communities where children, young people and families have the opportunity to shape their futures with confidence and self-determination.
Together with our Kenyan team, local partners and the communities we serve, we build sustainable structures that create lasting impact and enable long-term development.
Goals:
Our goal is to empower children, young people, families, and local communities to build independent and self-determined lives. We believe in long-term support rather than short-term aid and are committed to creating sustainable opportunities that enable lasting change.
We aim to:
- Provide access to quality education and vocational training – from kindergarten through university.
- Support children and young people as they transition into family life, shared living arrangements, or independent adulthood.
- Strengthen families through professional social work, psychosocial support, and individual guidance.
- Empower people with life skills, leadership, health education, and personal development programmes.
- Promote women's empowerment and create opportunities for economic independence.
- Develop sustainable income-generating initiatives, such as the MCF Guest House and MCF Tuk Tuk, to strengthen the long-term sustainability of our work.
- Build strong local partnerships that benefit the wider community.
Our vision is a future where every child has the opportunity to thrive, every young person can realise their potential, families are strengthened, and communities are empowered to shape their own sustainable future.
Our core values are:
- Love
- Cooperation
- Teamwork
- Respect
- Trust
- Education
sponsorships
Every contribution helps us create lasting opportunities for children, young people, families, and local communities.
Financial donations enable us to provide education, psychosocial support, healthcare, life skills programmes, and professional social work.
They also help us invest in sustainable initiatives that strengthen the long-term impact of the Mama Christa Foundation.
We also welcome in-kind donations and local sponsorships in Kenya. Depending on current needs, these may include educational materials, food, hygiene products, medical supplies, furniture, equipment, or support for community projects and events.
Whether you choose to sponsor a project, make a financial contribution, donate essential goods, or partner with us locally, your support directly contributes to creating sustainable opportunities and empowering communities.
Together, we can create lasting impact – one opportunity at a time.
The team in Kenya
Norah Baraza
Project Manager: Norah's responsibility is to assess the individual needs of children, adolescents and young adults. Appropriate support programs are developed together with Linda. She is the contact person for the MCF children/young people and their family members. She is also the main contact to the German support association, with whom she is in regular contact.
Linda Atieno
Deputy Project Manager: Linda supports all activities and pending tasks as a project assistant. She already knows the children, adolescents and young adults from her time in the children's home and is a close confidante and mentor.
Biata Mbula
Head of Strategy, Partnerships & Growth
Biata joined the Mama Christa Foundation (MCF) in May 2026.
After supporting MCF as an external trainer over the past few years, facilitating workshops for MCF beneficiaries, she is now part of the MCF team.
In her role, she develops programs designed to serve the local community, including life skills training for young women. She also builds and strengthens local networks, fosters meaningful partnerships, and creates new opportunities that contribute to the long-term impact of the Mama Christa Foundation.
Emily
Emily takes care of everything related to the house and is a warm and welcoming point of contact for both the children and visitors to the Mama Christa Foundation.
With her caring nature, she creates a well-organized daily routine, prepares meals, and fosters a warm, family-like atmosphere. Through her dedication, the house becomes a safe, nurturing, and loving home where the children feel secure, supported, and cared for.
Dianne Butler
Dianne Buttler is the representative of the support association.
Dianne has been living in Mombasa for many years and supports various projects that help disadvantaged children in and around Mombasa.
She is the contact person for the Kenyan MCF team and annually reviews the finances of the Mama Christa Foundation.
Joshua Otieno
Joshua is the esteemed Chairman of MCF Kenya and a long-standing, loyal companion to our organization.
He maintains a trusting exchange with the children, the MCF Team Kenya, and the chairpersons of the support association in Germany.
He embodies our mission through his dedication and commitment, making him an indispensable part of the MCF family.
Jane Auma
Jane is the Deputy Chairperson of MCF Kenya and has a unique story.
She grew up in the SOH children's home with her two sisters and was later supported by MCF.
Jane has found her new home in Germany, where she pursues her studies as a kindergarten teacher with great enthusiasm.
Her personal story and experiences make her an important link between the teams in Kenya and Germany, as well as the children and young adults of MCF.
Her role with us is truly unique and valuable.
That's what our sponsors say
Angelika
“I am very touched by what handsome young people the children have become. Chapeau for both of you for never giving up, no matter how difficult it got, keep doing what you say, you grow up happy with the children and see the children, what could be nicer.”
Jochen
"Thank you very much for your great work and your commitment to the project! This is really great and has my full respect!
I feel it is a gift to know and support you and the MCF.”
Hanne and Bernd
"It's just great what you're doing.
The thanks of the children is your merit.
We wish you continued support.
With all my heart Hanne and Bernd”
Thea
"You are doing a wonderful job with a big heart. A big hug!"
