About Us
Empowering young people is about instilling a sense of ownership in the efforts to improve their well-being and building their capacity to realise their aspirations and boost self motivation.
Empowering young people therefore requires an economic and social base, political will, adequate resources and a supportive legal and administrative framework, a stable environment of equality, peace and democracy. It also requires access to knowledge, skills and information and a positive value system and facilitating them to forge partnerships with other groups in society…It is upon these ideals that our vision and mission are rooted…
Mission, Vision and Values
Youth Alive! Kenya is an independent national youth-led non-governmental organisation committed to the empowerment of young people in Kenya to take active responsibility for their lives to shape their destiny. Founded in late 1998 and registered as a community-based organisation in 1999 then a national NGO in December 2003, Youth Alive! Kenya has a vision of a free, just and equitable world where young people are able to translate their aspirations and potential into productive and fulfilling life. To this end, our mission is to provide a platform where young people can engage in and with their communities to bring lasting positive change. Working in the areas of Health, Justice & Human Rights, Democracy & Governance and Environment & Livelihoods, we facilitate change through partnerships, advocacy, research and capacity development.
We espouse the following values:
- We believe that the rights of young people are human rights;
- We believe in the ability of young people to make informed decisions and take charge of the consequences of their decisions;
- We value the uniqueness of young people with respect to their needs, access to and control of resources;
- We respect and appreciate diversity in all its forms;
- We believe in meaningful participation and inclusion;
- We value integrity, honesty and accountability;
- We value the unique insights, understanding and capabilities that reside within communities.
Governance Structure
Youth Alive! Kenya is a membership organisation is open to young people between the ages of 15 and 35 resident in or citizens of Kenya, regardless of their ethnicity, race, gender, abilities, political or religious affiliation, sexual orientation as ascribed in the Youth Alive! Kenya’s Constitution. The organisation is managed by two executive organs – the Executive Board & the Secretariat.
The Executive Board as the governing organ of Youth Alive! Kenya is elected by the membership after every two years and is responsible for all activities of Youth Alive Kenya. The Board makes executive decisions regarding the operations of the organisation and provides visionary leadership for the sustainability of the organisation as a champion for a free, just and equitable society.
The Secretariat comprises the working office and handles the day-to-day operations of the organisation. Rooted strongly on meritocracy, the secretariat is composed of a multi-disciplinary team of chronological young professionals and is currently a three-tier structure of Programmes, Partnerships & Institutional Development, and Finance & Administration. The Departments are supported by qualified staff and periodic interns and volunteers.