WHO WE ARE
OUR MISSION
We are an international partnership protecting children in families and enacting community change.
As a
faith-based organisation,
we are driven by a profound commitment to advocate for the marginalised and uphold the rights of the vulnerable. Our focus is on
preventing child vulnerability, strengthening family unity, and
transforming child welfare systems.
We are unwavering in our commitment to safeguarding children within families, driving community transformation, and addressing the root causes of family displacement and child separation.
For nearly 20 years, we have been a beacon of hope and safety for vulnerable children like Edwin, Mercy, and Ruth, and their families. Our work spans across Kenya and the UK, supported by an exceptional team of frontline workers, volunteers, and a dedicated board of trustees in both countries. Under the visionary leadership of CEO Kelly Strong, we are focused on creating lasting impact.
SAFE INTERNATIONAL is a powerful network of individuals, families, churches, businesses, and charitable trusts, all united in making this transformative work possible. Your generous financial support, prayers, and fundraising efforts are vital to our mission and the meaningful change we create together. United, we are transforming lives, one child at a time."
OUR VISION
To see every child growing up in a safe and loving family.
Our vision is both clear and powerful. We are committed to defending children, fortifying families, and empowering communities—one child, one family, one community at a time. Our comprehensive support system tackles needs across immediate, mid-term, and long-term horizons, ensuring lasting impact.
Guided by a team of passionate, local professionals, we deliver immediate relief to children while actively building family independence and resilience. Our strategic approach prioritises child protection and equips families with the tools and resources they need to heal from trauma and forge a stable, thriving future.
Stronger Together
SAFE INTERNATIONAL, formerly known as the Kenyan Children’s Project (KCP), is a UK-registered charity formed in partnership with the Kenyan NGO Children’s Transformation Project - Kenya (CTP-K). Since our founding between 2005 and 2006, we have built a powerful, enduring partnership focused on transforming the lives of marginalised children and safeguarding the rights of those in vulnerable positions.
United by a
shared vision, we are
advocating, connecting, and collaborating on a
global scale. From
grassroots efforts to
large-scale initiatives, every
partnership is a
driving force in the movement to ensure
children grow up safe in families.
OUR STORY
OUR values
At SAFE, our
faith-driven core values are at the heart of everything we do. These values guide our approach, inspire our actions, and give us the strength to carry out our mission. We are fully committed to these principles, working every day to create lasting, meaningful change.
01
Helping Without Hurting: Empowering with Compassion
We are committed to a model of love that empowers rather than enables, fostering relationships that honour the dignity, autonomy, and potential of every individual and community. Rather than providing temporary aid, we focus on sustainable, dignified solutions that address both material and relational poverty. Our support nurtures independence, healing, and transformation by addressing root causes, walking alongside those we serve, and empowering them to take ownership of their own development. Guided by the belief that true help equips, restores, and fosters lasting growth, we strive to create meaningful, enduring change.
02
Hope in Action:
The Power of Restoration
Our faith fuels a deep commitment to restoring communities, beginning with the most vulnerable. We believe that love has the power to heal and transform even the most broken situations. Through collaboration, reflection, and action, we strive to restore hope, foster healing, and create sustainable solutions that uplift entire communities. We approach every effort with the conviction that transformation is always possible, no matter the circumstances, and that positive change is continually at work in the lives of individuals.
03
Faithful Stewardship:
Leading with Purpose
We are committed to being faithful stewards of the resources entrusted to us, ensuring that all our efforts are purposeful and lead to lasting change. This value inspires us to approach every project, partnership, and resource allocation with careful discernment, purpose, and accountability. We aim to steward both material and relational resources wisely, with a long-term vision focused on creating transformative impact and fostering positive change.
04
Dignity in Every Life: Seeing purpose in Every Person
We believe every person is created with inherent dignity, worth, and potential, reflecting the divine image in which they were made. Our work is rooted in this truth, and we are committed to offering support that nurtures each individual’s unique purpose. Motivated by love and humility, we strive to serve in a way that honours the value of every person, guided by the belief that each life holds inherent worth. In all our efforts, we prioritise respect, empowerment, and the recognition of the inherent value in every life.
“AS LEADERS IN CHARITABLE INITIATIVES AND AS DONORS, IT'S NOT MERELY OUR DUTY BUT OUR FERVENT COMMITMENT TO IMPLEMENT EFFECTIVE STRATEGIES FOR VULNERABLE CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES.”
Kelly Strong, CEO
Our Structure
We are an
international partnership
dedicated to enabling significant local transformations, leading to broader, long-lasting impact. Our approach is rooted in
collaboration, leveraging the strengths of diverse teams across the globe to address critical challenges and create sustainable solutions.
UK Office
Our UK office is driven by a dedicated
Board and CEO, who provide
strong leadership and
strategic direction, ensuring we achieve our mission with excellence. Working in close partnership with our global teams, the UK team
leverages resources, expertise, and support to maximise our collective impact and drive lasting change.
Kenyan Partnership
In Kenya, we collaborate closely with an
autonomous board and team, operating independently yet aligned in purpose with our shared mission. This local team brings
deep-rooted knowledge and
insight into the community's needs, driving
transformative initiatives and championing
sustainable development with unparalleled impact.
Unified by a Common Purpose
Despite geographical distance, our teams are united by a shared and unwavering vision:
to see every child grow up in a safe, loving family.
Together, we blend
global perspectives with
local expertise, ensuring our efforts are not only impactful but also deeply
culturally sensitive. We maintain a robust partnership agreement, reviewed annually, to
strengthen our relationship, continually
address power imbalances, and uphold the highest standards of
governance and
quality.
Our team
We are proud to work with passionate, skilled individuals who are committed to making a difference. From our strategic leaders in the UK to our dedicated team members in Kenya, every person plays a vital role in our mission to empower and transform communities.
ceo
Kelly Strong
Chief Executive Officer
Kelly Strong brings over a decade of experience in child protection, welfare, and community development, underpinned by her background as an Adult Nurse (BSc) and Social Care studies. Her deep commitment to safeguarding vulnerable children and families is driven by her faith and passion for excellence in care. Kelly has led impactful initiatives in Western Kenya, including building family tracing teams and orchestrating reunification programmes, while playing a pivotal role in transforming the Kenyan Children’s Project into SAFE INTERNATIONAL. Her expertise spans strategic development, safeguarding, and governance, and she is a fierce advocate for vulnerable children and families. Driven by her faith, Kelly is passionately committed to bringing about transformative, child-centered change. She strives to create sustainable systems rooted in God's love, ensuring that children, families, and communities are not only supported but empowered to thrive for generations to come.
UK Board
We believe that by working together, we can achieve more significant and enduring results. Our team is a testament to the power of partnership and the impact we can create when united by a shared vision.
Andrew Ball
Chair of Trustees
Founder and CEO of 'KnownValuedLoved,' Andy brings invaluable experience in charity management, safeguarding, and global development. His commitment to providing children with access to quality education in conflict zones and his background in teaching and safeguarding enrich our board.
Samuel Rich
Trustee
Samuel Rich is a British filmmaker, photographer, and advocate for at-risk children. His global travels fuel his passion for storytelling, highlighting both the challenges vulnerable children face and the innovative solutions helping them thrive. Samuel directed the award-winning documentaries Lost Kites and Dear Panama and has recently worked on projects with Agape Children's Ministry, World Without Orphans, and 1MILLIONHOME.
Rebecca Patterson
Trustee & Designated Safeguard Lead (DSL)
With a background at 'Home for Good,' a Master’s in Social Work, and a career as a social worker, Rebecca is deeply committed to reforming care systems worldwide. Her dedication to creating safe family environments perfectly aligns with our vision.
Parris Howe-Lewis
Trustee
Parris is a skilled legal professional with over five years of experience in law, policy, and social justice. She has held impactful roles, including Senior Policy Advisor at the Ministry of Justice and Policy Advisor at the Prime Minister's Implementation Unit, where she led initiatives on reducing reoffending and developing victim support strategies. Parris holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Training for the Bar (BPTC) from BPP University and an LLM in International Human Rights Law from Brunel University.
Kirsten Gray
Trustee
Kenyan Board and Team
Ursla Achieng
Chairlady
With a robust background in social work and child protection, including a senior role at CTP-K, Ursla now excels as a Probation Officer in Kenya's Juvenile System. Her steadfast commitment to supporting vulnerable communities, advocating for the disabled, and championing justice make her an exceptionally inspiring leader.
Vincent Munyoni
Treasurer
Vincent, a Procurement Specialist and Programme Coordinator, leads outreach for the Salvation Army in Western Kenya, focusing on street-connected children. His leadership has greatly enhanced their impactful work since 2015 and through organisations partnership we continue to deliver services to street-connected children together over the last decade.
Alice Karia
Secretary & DSL
Alice brings over 15 years of experience in program development at both county and national levels in Kenya. She has spearheaded child care and protection initiatives across 45 counties, achieving notable advancements in training and strategic partnerships. As a qualified child protection investigator, Alice serves as our Designated Safeguard Lead in Kenya and is a key member of our Safeguarding Sub-committee.
Franc Mona
Board Member
Franc has been a driving force in children’s charitable work in Kakamega County since 2005. As a representative for the Association of Children’s Charitable Institutes in Kenya, he advocates for vulnerable children across the region.
Judith Mandillah
Board Member
Judith, Assistant Director of Probation in Kenya, has 35 years of experience in restorative justice and children’s rights advocacy. She is also a certified psychological counsellor and lecturer, dedicated to reintegration and resettlement of at-risk children.
Phylis Nyambura
Board Member
Phylis is a Human Rights Advocate with extensive experience in governance, law, and social justice. As a founding member of PNAC Advocates and a Legal Consultant at Husika Trust, she leads initiatives to reform laws protecting children, youth, and women’s rights.
Vitoria Zillah
Board Member
Victoria, a Member of County Assembly in Kakamega, is a seasoned policy advocate focused on youth, women, and child protection. Her work has influenced several key policies, including the Kakamega County GBV Policy.
Cassie Furnari
Board Member
Cassie, Founder and Executive Director of Milele International, is a passionate advocate for youth in Kenya. Her expertise in fundraising and international development in her own Kenyan-based organisation, combined with her commitment to family-based care, drives our mission forward.
Jonathan Strong
Board Member
Jonathan transitioned from engineering to leadership within the Children Transformation Project - Kenya. Passionate about family and fatherhood, he focuses on equipping parents and creating secure, loving environments for children to thrive and feel they belong.
Kelly Strong
Board Member
“AS LEADERS IN CHARITABLE INITIATIVES AND AS DONORS, IT'S NOT MERELY OUR DUTY BUT OUR FERVENT COMMITMENT TO IMPLEMENT EFFECTIVE STRATEGIES FOR VULNERABLE CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES.”
Kelly Strong, CEO
JOIN US
Interested in learning more about our work or joining our team? Contact Us to find out how you can be part of our mission to drive meaningful change through international collaboration.
At SAFE INTERNATIONAL, we are committed to ensuring that every child has the opportunity to grow up in a nurturing and secure environment. We believe that every child deserves a chance to thrive in a supportive and empowering setting. By joining us, you become an integral part of transforming lives and building brighter futures for children and families in need.
GET INVOLVED
We offer diverse ways to contribute, including volunteer roles and Board positions. Whether you’re passionate about direct support, advocacy, or behind-the-scenes work, there is a place for you at SAFE INTERNATIONAL. Leverage your skills and expertise to make a meaningful impact and help us achieve our mission.
Current Vacancies
Trustee/Governor
Remote: Volunteer: 0-5 hours/month
JOIN US
Together, we can create safe, loving families for every child.
Join us in making a lasting difference.
Defending Children, Strengthening Families, Empowering Communities.
Contact us
Email: info@safeint.org
Phone: +447851311708
Mailing address: Unit 4D Office 2, Eleven Mile Lane, Suton, Norfolk, NR18 9JL, United Kingdom
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