By Juliah Atieno
Mukuru Promotion Centre (MPC) is a church based charitable organisation domiciled in Nairobi, Kenya. It is headquartered in South B, Nairobi, situated along Likoni Road 1.5 Km off Mombasa road, bordering Mukuru Kayaba slum on the far end. It was founded by Catholic Sisters of Mercy in 1985 to do charity and provide basic services in Mukuru slum. Mukuru Promotion Centre helps more than 6000 children and adults everyday by providing education, healthcare and social rehabilitation services.For more than 30 years the centre has been part of the Mukuru community in the informal settlement of Nairobi. Sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy, in the spirit of their founder Catherine McAuley, MPC offers vital services that give children, adults and families hope for a better future.
Child Protection and Safeguarding is one of the most essential elements of MPC’s care for all peoples. The creation of the office ensures advocacy for children and adults. Various measures have been put in place for the very vulnerable facing different forms of abuse, including those in conflict with the law.
Child Protection is defined as the prevention and response to abuse, neglect, exploitation and violence against children. MPC partners with Government agencies and like-minded organizations to create a protection system to guarantee the safety and well-being of the most vulnerable children.
The office works closely with the social workers and volunteer counselors to offer a conducive environment for victims to feel safe and some of the activities include ; Case reporting and recording, Client assessment and profiling Case referral and follow ups,Case management and monitoring,Advocacy for rights protection, policy change and awareness,Training and capacity building of partners, beneficiaries, caregivers and staff,Strengthening and establishing local community based structures for prevention and protection.
MPC is also home to a rehabilitation centre for boys aged 8-17, offering non-formal education, support services, technical training and a safe place of sanctuary for boys who have been rejected by their families. Here, their mission is to encourage and show the children that they have an alternative to a life on the dangerous streets of Mukuru. They have a team of social workers who are at the forefront of reforming and reintegrating boys back into society, while their social outreach program helps many parents and guardians with basics such as clothing and food.
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