Who We Are

Rooted in community. Driven by children’s rights. Building pathways to opportunity.

Child Ambassadors Development is a grassroots, children, youth and women-led CBO based in Kisumu County, Kenya. Founded as a self-help group in 2014 and registered as a CBO in 2022, CAD works with children, young people, families and communities to advance rights, strengthen skills, protect childhood and create opportunities for dignified livelihoods.

Our Story What We Do

Our story

From a self-help group to a community development organization.

CAD began as a self-help group, rooted in the belief that communities can organize, learn and act to improve the lives of children and young people.

As the organization evolved, its work expanded beyond a single community initiative to address interconnected challenges affecting children, young people and families—including protection, education, Social Emotional Learning, livelihoods, health, environmental sustainability and participation.

Today, CAD works at the intersection of child rights, human development and community resilience, bringing together practical skills, community participation, advocacy, protection and livelihood opportunities.

CAD community learning with children by Lake Victoria

Community rooted

We work with people, not just for people.

Children, young people, families, schools and communities shape local solutions together.

Our Vision

A just, inclusive and empowered society where every child and young person is protected, heard, equipped to reach their potential and able to contribute to thriving communities.

Our Mission

To empower children, young people, women and communities with knowledge, skills, opportunities and platforms to advance their rights, strengthen their wellbeing, build dignified livelihoods and lead positive change.

Our Mandate

Protect, educate, empower, include, connect, mobilize, advocate and create opportunity through community-rooted action.

Who we serve

People are at the heart of CAD.

CAD serves children, young people, women and girls, families, schools, teachers, communities and people experiencing exclusion.

Children

Rights, life skills, meaningful participation and safe inclusive environments.

Young People

Leadership, entrepreneurship, digital, financial and employability skills.

Women & Girls

Dignity, skills, economic opportunity, participation and access to support.

Families

Caregiver capacity for protection, development, wellbeing and learning.

Schools

Life skills, safeguarding, online safety, counselling and inclusive learning.

Communities

Local action, resilience, solutions and participation for excluded groups.

Children learning with a community facilitator in a lakeside school setting — Community-rooted approaches place children, families, schools and local leadership at the centre of change.

Where we are rooted

Rooted in Western Kenya. Connected to wider change.

CAD is based in Kisumu County and works through community-based approaches that respond to local priorities while connecting community action to wider development, child-rights and youth agendas.

Kisumu County

CAD’s organisational base and a key centre for community engagement.

Homa Bay County

An active programme area within CAD’s Lake Victoria region engagement.

Explore our interactive programme map View Impact

Our way of working

Listen. Equip. Connect. Act. Learn.

Listen

We begin with community realities, children’s voices and local priorities.

Equip

We provide knowledge, skills, tools and confidence.

Connect

We connect people to institutions, services, networks and opportunities.

Act

We support individuals and communities to translate learning into action.

Learn

We document results, reflect on experience and improve our approaches.

Influence

We use evidence, community voices and partnerships to contribute to wider systems and policy change.

Safeguarding

Children’s safety comes first.

CAD is committed to creating environments where children, young people, staff, volunteers, partners and community members are treated with dignity and protected from abuse, exploitation, harassment and harm.

Read Our Safeguarding Commitment