KISUMU URBAN APOSTOLATE PROGRAMME (KUAP-PANDIPIERI)

The street children programme started as a joint venture between the Municipal Social Workers and Pandipieri Catholic Centre. There was a major concern in Kisumu due to the growing number of children and young people who were seen in front of the Municipal Market helping to park cars as well as supporting in carrying shopping baskets to the people cars and homes.
The Kisumu community, who paid them a few shillings for their services, referred to them as parking or basket boys.
On the 5th of February 1979, about six of them were brought to Pandipieri Centre with a hope to offer them informal education and at the same time remove them from the streets.
At the end of the day they were asked to go back home and report the following day. It was then realized that these children and youths came from rural areas and had no homes in Kisumu
They had to sleep in the Centre and this marked the beginning of the street children Rehabilitation programme

Target Group
Street children and the most vulnerable children in the urban and peri-urban areas of Kisumu East and West District.

Programme Policies

KUAP staff and volunteer workers will not abuse children through either action or neglect.
KUAP staff will work in a proactive manner to protect children safety from preventable harm.
KUAP representatives will avoid being placed in compromising or vulnerable positions.
KUAP representatives will always realize that they are always the responsible parties, even if a child behaves inappropriately.
KUAP representatives will not condone or participate in behavior of children which is illegal, unsafe or abusive.
KUAP representatives will not put themselves in positions where theirÂ actions (physical, verbal or otherwise) are offensive, inappropriate, abusive, neglectful or exploitative.
KUAP representatives will ensure that all confidential information is handled appropriately.

Programme Values

1. Participation: All children and youth, community members and other stakeholders have a voice in decision making, either directly or indirectly or though legitimate intermediate institutions that represent their interest, such board participation is built on freedom of association and speech of association and speech, as well as capacities to participate constructively.
2. Diversity and Teamwork: The programme recognizes the diverse nature of its stakeholders and will thus respect their respective roles in community development through the integration of team work and understanding
3. Transparency: Transparency is built on the free clear flow of information.
4. Consensus Orientation: Good governance mediates differing interests to reach a broad consensus on what is in the best interest of the group and where possible, on policies and procedures.
5. Equity: all men and women, children and the youth have opportunities to improve or maintain their well being.
6. Effectiveness and efficiency: Processes and projects produce results that meet needs while making the best use of resources.
7. Accountability: the programme is accountable to the top management board, children, youth, community and collaborators (donor), both internally and externally.
8. Strategic vision: Community leaders and employees have a broad and long term perspective on the good governance and human development, along with a sense of what is needed for such development. There is also an understanding of the historic, cultural and social complexities in which that perspective is grounded.
9. Continuous learning: Project staff will develop mechanism of understanding external environmental changes and adapting to these changes to realign the staff to remain relevant and responsive.