By Purity Njoki
Child in Family Focus Kenya (CFFK) in partnership with the State Department for Children Services and other partners including Weza Care Solutions and GEEP Kenya, conducted a three-day training for foster parents at Word of Faith Church in Kiambu town from 2nd to 4th December 2025. The training brought together forty foster parents from Kiambaa, Juja, Kikuyu, Limuru, Githunguri, Kiambu, Kabete and Kajiado North. This turnout showed the growing interest in family-based care and the commitment of local families to provide safe and nurturing homes for children.
The aim of the training was to equip the parents with the knowledge and skills needed to care for children placed in foster care. The sessions were guided by a shared vision of creating a Kiambu where all children live safely, happily and sustainably within families and communities that serve their best interests. Throughout the three days, facilitators used practical examples and simple language in both English and Swahili, making the discussions easy to follow. The increased participation of men in this cohort also showed encouraging progress, as fostering is becoming a shared responsibility in households.
The first day introduced the meaning of foster care, why children come into care and the roles of foster parents, biological families, the government and partner organizations. Many parents found this helpful as it clarified how different stakeholders work together to support a child’s wellbeing.
On the second day, the sessions focused on the legal processes of foster care. Facilitators explained the steps to registration, required documents and the responsibilities placed on foster parents by law. Parents appreciated this guidance because legal procedures are often difficult to understand. The day also included discussions on positive parenting, child development and the importance of secure attachment. These sessions reminded parents that children entering foster care may have faced loss, disruption and separation, and therefore need extra patience, understanding and love.
One of the most meaningful discussions during the training was the session on trauma. Many participants openly shared their personal experiences of loss or hardship. This openness helped them understand how their own stories influence the way they care for children. It also helped them appreciate the emotional pain that many foster children carry. By the end of the session, parents said they felt more prepared to support children with empathy and sensitivity.
The final day addressed caring for children with disabilities, the importance of self-care for foster parents and building strong relationships in foster families. Facilitators explained different types of disabilities, how they affect children and the services available to support them. These discussions helped parents understand that children with disabilities can thrive in a loving family environment when proper support is available. Parents were also encouraged to take care of their own emotional wellbeing, as fostering can be demanding and requires strength and resilience.
As the training came to a close, participants reflected on the lessons learned. Many said the training was timely because it addressed the real challenges they face in their homes. They appreciated learning what is expected of them, how to handle difficult situations and where to seek help when needed. They also shared concerns such as the need for more visits from children officers, faster processing of foster care paperwork and more regular trainings in the future.
The training ended with the awarding of certificates to all participants, followed by a celebratory cake-cutting moment. This marked the successful completion of the third cohort of foster parents trained in Kiambu. The sensitization training was an important step in strengthening foster care in the county. It showed that foster care is possible and that raising children is a shared responsibility that requires love, patience and community support. Through the efforts of CFFK, the State Department for Children Services and other partners, more children in Kiambu now have an opportunity to grow in safe, stable and loving families.