Two Decades Later: The Familia Moja Story—and the Legacy That Continues Today
Some of the most important stories of impact can only be understood over time.
Nearly two decades ago, the young adults pictured here were among the first children to become part of Kickstart Kids International’s story. They came together through Familia Moja, each with their own story, circumstances, strengths and hopes for the future. Their journeys were never identical. Some moved through different stages of care and support, while others transitioned into new chapters of their lives with what we now know as Kickstart by their side. Over time, each began transitioning toward adulthood and greater independence.
For many long-standing KKI supporters, these are familiar faces. You helped make possible some of the care, relationships, education and opportunities that surrounded them as they grew. Their reunion gives us a rare chance to see what those years of support have meant and to reflect on how they continue to shape the work we do today.
In August 2026, 18 members of that first generation of children, now young adults, came together again. Almost two decades of shared history came back into the room.
“I just can’t believe that this is happening! I hadn’t seen some of my brothers and sisters for years.”
Another described what reconnecting meant:
“I had always looked forward to us coming together. I feel like I am not alone. This is the best day of my year. I have something to treasure!”
Laughter, recognition, and the inevitable swapping of memories filled the air as familiar faces reappeared after years apart. But beneath the joy was something more significant: an opportunity to see what had happened in the years since Familia Moja and just how much life had unfolded.
From children in care to young adults building their own lives
The reunion gave the group space to look back on childhood, reflect on the transitions they had navigated and recognise the relationships, experiences and people that had mattered along the way
Their conversations moved through four stages – Then, Transition, Now and Next – creating space not only to remember, but to understand where life has taken them.
These are not the same children Kickstart once knew. They are now adults aged 18 and above, pursuing different paths and building their futures. They spoke confidently about independence, personal growth, resilience, relationships, employment, education, entrepreneurship and their aspirations for the years ahead.
And yet, the bond they built together remained. They still share a history that stretches back nearly two decades.
For Kickstart founder James Woodward, the reunion made those two decades particularly tangible. He first met many of them when they were children. He walked alongside them through their years at Familia Moja and witnessed different chapters of their lives unfold.
Now he sat at a table with them as adults. The children he remembered had become young adults with lives, perspectives and ambitions of their own. Their conversation brought childhood memories back to life: the people, relationships, experiences and milestones they shared.
For James and for everyone who helped sustain their care through those early years, the moment connected KKI’s past directly with its present. Young children from Familia Moja sat together as adults, now pursuing their own paths and building their futures.
The journey does not end when a child leaves care
The reunion reminded us that leaving care marks the beginning of a new chapter, not the end of a young person’s journey.
As these young adults reflected on their lives, they spoke about healing, self-acceptance, belonging, independence and the importance of trusted networks. They also shared aspirations around education, employment, entrepreneurship and building meaningful lives.
Most importantly, they recognised the strength that comes from staying connected. They want to continue meeting, supporting one another, sharing opportunities and building a community where no one feels alone.
The children we once supported are now becoming their own support system. They are reconnecting, checking in on one another, sharing opportunities and thinking collectively about how to build stronger futures.
Their reflections also made clear that the transition to adulthood brings new challenges. They identified priorities including psychosocial and counselling support, financial literacy, economic opportunity, employment and entrepreneurship, continued education and stronger networks.
Their experience reinforces something KKI understands more clearly today: child wellbeing is not created by a single intervention or confined to a particular stage of childhood. Children and young people do best when they have safe relationships, strong families and communities, opportunities to learn and grow, and networks that can continue with them as life changes
KKI’s work has evolved significantly since the early days of Familia Moja. So has global understanding of how best to support children who face vulnerability.
Today, our focus is increasingly on helping children grow up safe, supported and connected within families and communities, strengthening the relationships and environments around them so that children have the foundations they need not only to survive difficult circumstances, but to thrive.
The form of the work may have changed, but the commitment has not: to stand alongside children, families and communities for the long term, and to recognise that belonging, safety and opportunity matter at every stage of a child’s life.
The Familia Moja generation is part of that learning. Their experiences helped shape the organisation KKI is becoming today.
Your support has a lasting impact
If you supported KKI during the Familia Moja years, this reunion belongs partly to you too. It offers a rare glimpse of lives continuing long after a programme, campaign or donation has ended.
Your generosity helped provide care, education, relationships, experiences and opportunities during important years of these young people’s lives. Those contributions became part of a much bigger journey, one that each of them has continued to shape for themselves
Sometimes it takes years before we can look back and appreciate what that support helped set in motion. Today, that legacy looks like:
- 18 children who once shared a chapter of their childhood coming together again as young adults.
- Old friendships renewed.
- Young people reflecting proudly on how far they have come.
- Individuals discovering their strengths, pursuing their aspirations and supporting one another.
- A child who once needed a companion now walking alongside others in their community.
- A group choosing to turn a shared history into a network of mutual support for the future
The Familia Moja story is not simply a reminder of where KKI has been. It reminds us why long-term commitment matters.
Today’s children face different circumstances, and our approach continues to evolve. But they need many of the same things these young adults needed nearly two decades ago: safety, belonging, trusted adults, opportunities to learn and the confidence that someone will continue to stand alongside them.
If you supported Familia Moja, thank you. Your generosity is part of this story. We invite you to continue helping us write the next chapter.
Make a gift today and help more children in Kenya grow up safe, supported and connected to the families and communities around them.