A Day of Hope: Reflecting on the Day of the African Child

On 16th June 2026, more than 500 children from six schools in Nairobi’s Korogocho informal settlement gathered at the Tortola School Hall to commemorate the Day of the African Child 2026. The celebration, organised by the Restoring Dignity Foundation, was a powerful reminder of resilience, dignity, and the impact of collective action.

Although the Tortola School Hall is still under construction, it came alive with colour and excitement as children from Tortola School, Church Road Education Centre, Lucy Centre, Maranatha School, Redhill School, and Prince Anduru School filled the space with laughter and anticipation. For one day, the unfinished hall became a place of hope and possibility.

Strathmore University Business School (SBS) was represented by four student volunteers who had previously spearheaded a two-week menstrual hygiene drive on campus, along with their Lecturer, Dorcas Otieno.  They were also joined by Mr Teddy Warria, Executive Director of Africa’s Talking and founder of the I Am From initiative.

As you approach the school, a reality becomes impossible to ignore; towering over the community is the Dandora dumpsite, its imposing presence and persistent stench, a clear reminder of the daily challenges faced by families in Korogocho. For many of these children, clean air, safe play spaces, and secure livelihoods are not guarantees but privileges. And yet despite these hardships, the children’s energy and optimism were unmistakable.

For most of the Strathmore University students, this was their first visit to an informal settlement. “It was really amazing getting to see the kids in real life; it made all the hard work so worth it just seeing those smiles on their faces,” Dirham, a fourth-year Bachelor of Commerce student reflected.

The day’s celebrations featured vibrant performances by the Tarumbeta Africah Band, whose African drumming transformed the atmosphere into one of celebration and joy. Also present were representatives from Smiles Africa, the Companionship of Works Association (CoWA), and SHOFCO’s Gender and Inclusivity Division, stressing the importance of partnerships in supporting vulnerable communities.

However, beneath the festivities lay difficult realities. “Korogocho has only two public schools, both of which are overcrowded,” explained Mr Fred Ogolla, Founder of the Restoring Dignity Foundation. “This pushes many parents to enrol their children in low-cost private schools they can barely afford. The others simply cannot keep their children in school, leaving them vulnerable to child labour at the dumpsite.”

His words served as a sobering reminder that, for many families, the difference between staying in school and dropping out can be as fragile as a missed day’s wages or a delayed paycheck.

For the Strathmore students, the experience reinforced the value of service and solidarity. “Some moments don’t just change a day; they change a life. When real needs are met with genuine care, confidence returns, hope spreads, and that’s when an entire community begins to thrive,” observed Jolene Njenga, a fourth-year Bachelor of Commerce student. Echoing this sentiment, Saida Ahmed reflected: “What we do for ourselves fades away, but what we do for others lives on forever.”

Their commitment had already begun weeks earlier. Through a student-led fundraising campaign, they mobilised contributions as small as KSh 100 from fellow students and members of the university community. In just two weeks, they raised KSh 85,000 and collected 240 packets of sanitary pads, all without corporate sponsorship.

Although unable to attend the celebrations, volunteer Valentine Njoroge summed up the spirit of the initiative: “Small acts of service have the power to transform society. I was honoured to be part of a collective effort rooted in dignity, compassion, and hope.”

The event also inspired meaningful commitments from Mr Teddy Warria. Drawing from his own upbringing in Nairobi’s Eastlands, he encouraged the children to believe that their circumstances need not define their future.

When he asked whether anyone owned a passport, only one hand was raised. The pupil, Gloria June, a Grade 7 learner, admitted she did not yet have one but dreamed of obtaining one someday.

Moved by her aspiration, Mr Warria pledged to support Gloria and her family in acquiring passports and to facilitate her first educational trip to another African country as part of the I Am From initiative.

Beyond that gesture, he committed to mobilising support for a milk feeding programme, strengthening the Foundation’s scholarship initiatives, expanding the Saturday Young Kings mentoring programme for boys, and publishing a unique I Am From poetry anthology for each participating school. Seventy per cent of the proceeds from each publication will be retained by the respective schools to establish scholarship funds for needy learners.

“The Restoring Dignity Foundation is doing remarkable work,” Mr Warria remarked. “These efforts deserve sustained support that extends far beyond annual celebrations.”

The impact of the day’s activities was immediate. Every child received refreshments, including milk and cake. Each of the six schools received emergency menstrual hygiene kits and footballs, while boys were provided with clothing essentials. Most significantly, all donated sanitary pads were used to fully stock the Foundation’s Period Bank.

“Following our menstrual hygiene outreach in May, we identified 60 girls in urgent need of menstrual products,” said Mr Ogolla. “Thanks to this campaign, we can now ensure that each of them has access to menstrual products for the next twelve months.”

Reflecting on the experience, fourth-year student Hellen Waweru simply stated: “I am Africa for Africa transforming lives, one day at a time through dignity, action, and hope.”

As the visitors departed Korogocho, they carried with them more than memories of a successful event. They left with renewed conviction that talent and leadership are not confined by geography or circumstance.

The next visionary entrepreneur, celebrated author, transformative leader, or changemaker may well be sitting in a classroom overlooking the Dandora dumpsite today. All they need is someone willing to believe in them, invest in their potential, and help uncover the diamond waiting to shine.